Oct. 2, 2009
LAS VEGAS - UNLV senior wide receiver Ryan Wolfe (Santa Clarita, CA) was this week named a semifinalist for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy, formerly known as the Draddy Trophy, by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Wolfe was one of 54 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 154 players overall who were named to the list, all of whom are also candidates for the 2009 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award.
Wolfe, a 2009 Biletnikoff Award candidate, is currently the FBS active career leader in both receptions (240) and receiving yardage (3,119). The Hart High School graduate has 31 catches for 384 yards and a touchdown this season. Wolfe, who has collected Academic All-MWC honors each of the past three seasons, received his undergraduate degree in May and is currently pursuing a master's degree in sports education leadership.
Nominated by their respective sports information directors, the candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Renamed in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
"On the heels of our recent announcement to rename our top scholar-athlete award in honor of Bill Campbell, we are incredibly proud to select the next winner from this remarkable group of semifinalists," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "As one of the nation's most influential business leaders, Bill Campbell is a powerful example of football's unique ability to build leadership qualities in our young people. The semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy have already built track records that place them squarely in his footsteps."
The trophy, commonly referred to as the "Academic Heisman," is awarded annually to a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, requires a grade point average of at least 3.2, outstanding football ability and strong leadership and citizenship from the recipient.
The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2009 NFF National Scholar- Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Campbell Trophy winner, who will have his scholarship increased to $25,000, will be announced live at the NFF's Annual Awards Dinner on December 8 at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. A total distribution of $277,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening.
2009 William V. Campbell NCAA FBS SemifinalistsSchool - NomineeAlabama - Colin PeekArizona State - Mike NixonBaylor - Joe PawelekBowling Green State - Craig RutherfordBrigham Young - Matt BaumanCentral Michigan - Dan LeFevourCincinnati - Jeff LinkenbachColorado - Jake BehrensColorado State - Klint KubiakConnecticut - Bradley KanuchEastern Michigan - Andrew SchmittFlorida - Tim TebowFlorida International - Paul McCallFresno State - Moses HarrisIllinois - Jon AsamoahIndiana - Jammie KirlewKansas - Todd ReesingKansas State - Jeron MastrudKentucky - Ross BogueLouisiana-Lafayette - Scott HayesLouisville - Joseph TronzoLSU - Lyle HittMemphis - Matt ReaganMiami (Fla.) - Matt PiphoMichigan - Zoltan MeskoMiddle Tennessee State - Phillip TannerMinnesota - Eric DeckerMissouri - Kurtis GregoryNavy - Ross PospisilNebraska - Wes CammackNorthern Illinois - Brandon BiceNorthwestern - Andrew BrewerNotre Dame - Mike AnelloOhio State - Jim CordleOklahoma - Auston EnglishOregon State - Gregg PeatPenn State - Josh HullRutgers - Devin McCourtySan Diego State - Matthew KawulokSMU - Mitch EnrightSouthern California - Jeff ByersSyracuse - Andrew RobinsonTennessee - Cody SullinsTexas - Colt McCoyUCLA - Logan PaulsenUNLV - Ryan WolfeUtah - Zane BeadlesUtah State - Nnamdi GwachamWake Forest - Ben WoosterWashington State - Kenny AlfredWest Virginia - Reed WilliamsWestern Michigan - Tim HillerWisconsin - Mickey TurnerWyoming - Weston Johnson
