Finalists Named for 2007 Gagliardi Trophy as Outstanding NCAA Division III Football Player
November 21, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – November 20, 2007 - College football fans will have the opportunity to add their collective vote to that of the national selection committee in deciding this year’s Gagliardi Trophy. The Gagliardi Trophy is awarded each year to honor an outstanding NCAA Division III football player. Sponsored by Jostens and the Saint John’s University, Minnesota, J-Club, the Gagliardi Trophy recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service.
The winner of the Gagliardi Trophy is selected by a national selection committee comprised of coaches, sports writers, community leaders and former Division III student-athletes enshrined in the National Collegiate Football Hall of Fame. For the first time, fans will be able to rank the 10 finalists and cast an electronic ballot that collectively will be added to the 30 votes of the national selection committee. Ballots may be cast immediately through Monday, Dec. 3 through two web sites: www.d3football.com and www.usafootballnews.com. Fans may only vote one time.
“NCAA Division III football is growing in popularity and status,” said John Abel, marketing director, Champion Sports, Jostens. “We are pleased that fans will now have the opportunity to join the Gagliardi selection committee and Jostens in determining the nation’s best small college football player who also embodies the Division III philosophy of the well-rounded student-athlete.”
The trophy is named for Saint John’s University head football coach John Gagliardi, the first active head coach to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2006) and the winningest coach in college football history with 453 career victories, as of Nov. 17, in 59 seasons. Gagliardi set the all-time win record on Nov. 8, 2003.
The 15th annual Gagliardi award will be presented on Thursday, December 13, in Salem, Va., as part of the festivities leading up to the Division III national championship game played in Salem on Saturday, Dec. 15.
This year’s 10 finalists include:
• Justin Beaver – University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• Derek Blanchard – Mount Union College
• Jason Boltus – Hartwick College
• Thomas Brew – Case Western Reserve University
• Eric Dube – Dickinson College
• Paul Keeley – Alfred University
• Alex Kofoed – Saint John’s University
• Adrian Pynenberg – Wabash College
• Andrew Bain Smith – Hampden-Sydney College
• P.J. Theisen – University of St. Thomas
Additional information can be found at www.gojohnnies.com/gagliardi_trophy/default.htm.
About Jostens
Minneapolis-based Jostens is a provider of products, programs and services that help people inspire achievement and preserve memories. The company’s products include school yearbooks and memory books, OurHubbub™ brand MemoryBooks, scholastic products such as class rings and graduation products, and products for athletic champions and their fans. Jostens is a subsidiary of Visant Corporation, a marketing and publishing services enterprise servicing the school affinity, direct marketing, fragrance and cosmetics sampling and educational publishing markets.
About Saint John’s University J-Club
Founded in 1959, the Saint John’s University J-Club is a dues-based booster organization of former Johnnie student-athletes, parents and fans, and plays a key role in support of the SJU varsity programs, intramurals and club sports.
For more information about the Gagliardi Trophy, please contact John Abel at 952-830-3313.
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Athletic Department
Saint John’s University
PO Box 7277
Collegeville, MN 56321
320-363-2757
Fax 320-363-3130
E-Mail Marilyn Koltes