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Boise State Athletics
Kaniho Named MW Scholar-Athlete of the Year
7/14/2022 12:00:00 PM | Football
BOISE, Idaho – Former Boise State football defensive back Kekaula Kaniho was named the 2021-22 Mountain West Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference announced Thursday.
Kaniho is the fourth Bronco in five years to be bestowed the league's highest honor, joining Boise State women's cross country and track & field standouts Kendra Noneman (2019-20) and Allie Ostrander (2018-19) and former Bronco football center Mason Hampton (2017-18).
In addition to athletic achievement, recipients of the MW Scholar-Athlete Award must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade-point average, demonstrate leadership and exhibit good character and community involvement over the course of their intercollegiate career. The award includes a $2,500 postgraduate scholarship.
Kaniho graduated in May 2021 with a degree in health science and a 3.96 grade-point average. During the fall, he was enrolled in courses from Boise State's College of Innovation and Design and earned a 4.0-semester grade-point average.
He was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Football First Team for the second-consecutive year in 2021-22, accomplishing this feat for the first time since Hampton (2016-17). He was a second-team honoree in 2019-20.
A native of Kahuku, Hawaii, Kaniho returned in 2021 for his fifth year and made his 55th-career appearance as a Bronco against Air Force (Oct. 16), a Boise State record. He concluded his tenure playing in 60 games, starting 46.
He recorded 217 tackles, including 28.5 for-loss (five sacks), six interceptions, 30 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his career.
Kaniho has also been extremely active in the Boise community. During his collegiate career, he visited local elementary and middle schools and was a great role model to younger students. He discussed healthy lifestyles, good sportsmanship and the benefits that play can have for everyone. He also participated in the football program's "Bronco vs. Bullying" anti-bullying campaign.
The defensive back was a three-time All-MW performer, including a first-team honoree in 2019. He was the FBS Senior CLASS Award winner in 2020 and was selected to participate in the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Kaniho is the fourth Bronco in five years to be bestowed the league's highest honor, joining Boise State women's cross country and track & field standouts Kendra Noneman (2019-20) and Allie Ostrander (2018-19) and former Bronco football center Mason Hampton (2017-18).
In addition to athletic achievement, recipients of the MW Scholar-Athlete Award must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade-point average, demonstrate leadership and exhibit good character and community involvement over the course of their intercollegiate career. The award includes a $2,500 postgraduate scholarship.
Kaniho graduated in May 2021 with a degree in health science and a 3.96 grade-point average. During the fall, he was enrolled in courses from Boise State's College of Innovation and Design and earned a 4.0-semester grade-point average.
He was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Football First Team for the second-consecutive year in 2021-22, accomplishing this feat for the first time since Hampton (2016-17). He was a second-team honoree in 2019-20.
A native of Kahuku, Hawaii, Kaniho returned in 2021 for his fifth year and made his 55th-career appearance as a Bronco against Air Force (Oct. 16), a Boise State record. He concluded his tenure playing in 60 games, starting 46.
He recorded 217 tackles, including 28.5 for-loss (five sacks), six interceptions, 30 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his career.
Kaniho has also been extremely active in the Boise community. During his collegiate career, he visited local elementary and middle schools and was a great role model to younger students. He discussed healthy lifestyles, good sportsmanship and the benefits that play can have for everyone. He also participated in the football program's "Bronco vs. Bullying" anti-bullying campaign.
The defensive back was a three-time All-MW performer, including a first-team honoree in 2019. He was the FBS Senior CLASS Award winner in 2020 and was selected to participate in the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Players Mentioned
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