Boston College Athletics

Palmer Named the Recipient of the Jay McGillis Memorial Scholarship
December 03, 2020 | Football
Palmer joins an elite list of Eagles who have been awarded the special honor
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College senior defensive back Mike Palmer was named the recipient of the Jay McGillis Memorial Scholarship for the 2020 football season. The award is usually given out prior to the annual spring game, named in honor of the former BC student-athlete. Due to COVID-19 forcing spring practice to end prematurely, the football staff awarded the honor to Palmer during the season.
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The award is given annually since 1993 to a Boston College defensive back who best exemplifies the personal qualities of team dedication and leadership by example, an extraordinary competitive spirit, and personal concern for family friends and teammates.
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McGillis, a starting defensive back for Boston College, passed away from Leukemia in 1992. The Eagles' spring game is played in his honor each year.
Palmer started all 11 games as a junior he played in last season and was third on the team with 76 tackles. In 2020, the New York native has battled injury, but has still managed to play in seven games and register 25 tackles.
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In the Birmingham Bowl last season, Palmer blocked a field goal that was returned for a touchdown and added eight tackles, including seven solo.
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Palmer will wear McGillis' No. 31 this weekend when the Eagles travel to Virginia.
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Jay McGillis Scholarship Recipients
1993, Eric Shorter
1994, Eric Shorter
1995, Rob Clifford
1996, Daryl Porter
1997, Shalom Tolefree
1998, Pedro Cirino
1999, Pedro Cirino
2000, Jonathan Ordway
2001, Lenny Walls
2002, Doug Bessette
2003, Paul Cook
2004, T.J. Stancil
2005, Jazzmen Williams
2006, Ryan Glasper
2007, Jamie Silva
2008, Paul Anderson
2009, Wes Davis
2010, DeLeon Gause
2011, Donnie Fletcher
2012, Jim Noel
2013, Ted Davenport
2014, Dominique Williams
2015, Justin Simmons
2016, John Johnson
2017, Isaac Yiadom
2018, Lukas Denis
2019, Mehdi El Attrach
2020, Mike Palmer
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The award is given annually since 1993 to a Boston College defensive back who best exemplifies the personal qualities of team dedication and leadership by example, an extraordinary competitive spirit, and personal concern for family friends and teammates.
Â
McGillis, a starting defensive back for Boston College, passed away from Leukemia in 1992. The Eagles' spring game is played in his honor each year.
Palmer started all 11 games as a junior he played in last season and was third on the team with 76 tackles. In 2020, the New York native has battled injury, but has still managed to play in seven games and register 25 tackles.
Â
In the Birmingham Bowl last season, Palmer blocked a field goal that was returned for a touchdown and added eight tackles, including seven solo.
Â
Palmer will wear McGillis' No. 31 this weekend when the Eagles travel to Virginia.
Â
Jay McGillis Scholarship Recipients
1993, Eric Shorter
1994, Eric Shorter
1995, Rob Clifford
1996, Daryl Porter
1997, Shalom Tolefree
1998, Pedro Cirino
1999, Pedro Cirino
2000, Jonathan Ordway
2001, Lenny Walls
2002, Doug Bessette
2003, Paul Cook
2004, T.J. Stancil
2005, Jazzmen Williams
2006, Ryan Glasper
2007, Jamie Silva
2008, Paul Anderson
2009, Wes Davis
2010, DeLeon Gause
2011, Donnie Fletcher
2012, Jim Noel
2013, Ted Davenport
2014, Dominique Williams
2015, Justin Simmons
2016, John Johnson
2017, Isaac Yiadom
2018, Lukas Denis
2019, Mehdi El Attrach
2020, Mike Palmer
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