NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Mark Gronowski, QB – South Dakota State
3.76 GPA – Mechanical Engineering
Head Coach: Jimmy Rogers | Athletics Director: Justin Sell
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Donna Flint
Recipient of E. Douglas Kenna Scholar-Athlete Award, Endowed by Robert A. Simms
One of the most decorated players in FCS history, Mark Gronowski has led South Dakota State to consecutive national championships while maintaining an impressive GPA in the classroom. The Naperville, Illinois, native now becomes the fifth NFF National Scholar-Athlete from South Dakota State.
Maintaining a 3.76 GPA in mechanical engineering, Gronowski graduated in May and is currently pursuing his master's degree in engineering management. Named the 2023 FCS Athletic Director Association (ADA) Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Academic All-Star, Gronowski claimed Second Team CSC Academic All-America honors in 2023. He is both a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and a First Team Academic Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) pick.
A three-year team captain, Gronowski led South Dakota State to consecutive FCS National Championship titles the past two years and a title game appearance during the 2020-21 season. He was named MVP in both the wins. He boasts a 42-5 record as a starter, including seven games in 2024, giving him a shot at ending his career as the all-time winningest quarterback in Division-I history, needing 50 wins to tie the FBS record and 48 in the FCS. The team has won three-consecutive MVFC titles with him under center, and the Jackrabbits are currently 5-2 this season with a No. 3 national ranking.
Named a First Team All-American in 2023, Gronowski claimed the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in the FCS, and he also claimed honors as the 2023 FCS ADA Offensive Player of the Year. He has twice been named the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year (2023, 2020-21), and he claimed honors as a Hero Sports Sophomore All-American in 2022 and as a Freshman All-American in 2021.
Gronowski led the FCS in passing efficiency in 2023 with a 179.6 rating, and his career totals 8,811 passing yards and 81 touchdowns and another 1,599 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
In the community, Gronowski volunteered for the Special Olympics and coached flag football with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also served as an FCA camp counselor and student leader on the FCA Council. He has served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years, and he was part of a South Dakota State engineering design team, creating low-cost prosthetics for those in war-torn countries.
(All stats as of Oct. 23, 2024)
