MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – November 25, 2009 – Ten finalists have been named for the 2009 Gagliardi Trophy awarded annually to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. Sponsored by Jostens and the J-Club of Saint John’s University, Minnesota, 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. This will be the third year fans will be able to rank the 10 finalists and cast an electronic ballot that collectively will be added to the 35 votes of the national selection committee. Ballots may be cast immediately through 12:00 p.m. CST on Monday, December 7 at www.d3football.com. Fans may only vote one time.
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 a record of 471-126-11 (.784). Gagliardi set the all-time win record on November 8, 2003.
The 17th annual Gagliardi award will be presented on Thursday, December 17, in Salem, Va., as part of the festivities leading up to the Division III National Championship game played in Salem on Saturday, December 19.
This year's finalists include:
-Gerry (Spud) Dick (Sr., QB) - DePauw
-Judd Lutz (Sr., LB) - Mount Union
-Dave Paveletz (Sr., RB) - Susquehanna
-John Peters (Sr., LB) - Union
Jeff Schebler (Sr., K) - Wisconsin-Whitewater
-Adam Shaffer (Sr., QB) - Mississippi College
-Alex Tanney (Jr., QB) - Monmouth (Ill.)
-Blaine Westemeyer (Sr., OT) - Augustana (Ill.)
-Dan Whalen (Sr., QB) - Case Western Reserve
-David Zachary (Sr., RB) - Central
About Jostens
Minneapolis-based Jostens is a provider of products, programs and services that help people tell their stories, celebrate important traditions and recognize achievements. The Company’s products include school yearbooks and other memory book products, 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 and trade publishing segments.
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.
