Graduate kicker/punter Eric Goins has been named a finalist for the 2024 Armed Forces Merit Award, which was created to honor an individual and/or a group with a military background and/or involvement that have an impact within the realm of college football.
The award was created in 2012, and is coordinated by the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl staff. The winner of the award will be announced on November 11 – Veterans Day.
Goins is a former US Army Infantry and Communications officer who is a graduate student pursuing a dual master’s degree in business administration and global affairs at the University of Notre Dame. Goins has seen action kicking off in four games for the Irish, totaling 25 kickoffs and 13 touchbacks.
For his undergraduate career, Goins enrolled at The Citadel and played football from 2013-15. He still ranks tied for third on The Citadel’s career field goals made list with 25, and T-fifth on The Citadel’s career kicking points list with 150. His 16 field goals made in 2015 still holds the record for most in a season by a Citadel player, while his five field goals made, and 17 kicking points scored, vs. VMI in 2015 both remain Citadel records.
With a year of eligibility remaining, Goins commissioned into the Army as an infantry officer in 2016. As a lieutenant at the Joint Readiness Training Center, he served as an Opposing Forces (OPFOR) airborne infantry platoon leader, OPFOR assistant battalion operations officer, and company executive officer. His units trained against and prepared other units prior to their deployment. During this time, he graduated from the Ranger Course and the Basic Airborne Course.
After three years, Goins became a signal corps officer and served for three years as a battalion communications officer where he provided computer and radio signal support for an air defense artillery battalion in Baumholder, Germany. His unit’s mission was to provide air and missile defense for Europe and Israel. While in Germany, he was promoted to the rank of captain and his unit deployed to Poland following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His unit was tasked to defend the military and aid deliveries to Ukrainian soldiers as part of the United States and NATO response to the invasion.
In July of 2023, Goins received permission to leave the Army and pursue a graduate degree. He joined the Notre Dame football team in the spring of 2024.