Denison University senior Michael Barnes (Gates Mills, Ohio/Mayfield) will be honored at the 48th annual National Football Foundation and college Hall of Fame scholar Athlete Awards Banquet at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Café in Columbus, Ohio on Feb. 9, 2009.

A four-year starter and a two-year starter at quarterback, Barnes emerged as one of the North Coast Athletic Conference's top all-purpose threats in 2008.  He guided the Big Red to a 6-4 record by throwing for a career-high 1,152 yards and 9 touchdown.  He also rushed for 551 yards and seven scores, playing a major role in helping Denison lead the NCAC in rushing with 2,030 yards. In the season opener versus Kalamazoo Barnes tied the Denison single-game rushing record with 270 yards off just 17 carries.  He earned his third career NCAC Player of the Week honor for his record-setting game against Kalamazoo and would go on to earn ESPN The Magazine second-team Academic All-District honors.

Barnes carries a 3.86 grade point average while majoring in economics.  He is also a member of the Denison track and field team and last winter was named the NCAC Indoor Track and Field Sprinter/Hurdler of the Year.  Barnes is the President of the Denison Student Athlete Advisory Council and is a member of the leadership honorary, Omicron Delta Kappa and the national college honor society, Mortar Board.