DALLAS, Texas - Three Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference student-athletes were named semifinalists for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy). Nick Edwards of Centre, Alex Fitch of DePauw and Rhodes' Andy Boucher are among the 34 NCAA Division III and 154 overall semifinalists.
Edwards, a senior wide receiver, leads Centre and ranks fifth in the SCAC averaging 62.5 yards receiving per game. On the season, he has caught 16 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns. Edwards' four receiving touchdowns currently ranks second in the conference just one off the conference leader.
Fitch, a senior defensive lineman, has tallied six tackles and two sacks through three games in 2009. His two sacks ranks sixth in the SCAC. He has also blocked one kick so far this season.
Boucher, a senior defensive back, has totaled 27 tackles to average 6.8 per game. His 27 total tackles ties him for third among Rhodes defenders while he has notched one interception, recovered a fumble and blocked a kick in four games this season.
The Campbell Trophy is awarded by the National Football Foundation and is the foundation's top scholar-athlete award. Nominees must maintain at least a 3.2 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship skills.
Nominees are chosen throughout the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Division I Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
"The Campbell Trophy semifinalists represent everything great about college football, having achieved excellence in all aspect of their lives," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "It is the NFF's duty to promote their accomplishments while encouraging future generations of gridiron standouts to aim high on and off the football field."
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.
For the entire list of Campbell Trophy semifinalists for 2009, click here.
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