MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – December 11, 2009 – Four 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 regional winners are John Peters, Union College (N.Y.) in the East Region; Blaine Westemeyer, Augustana College (Ill.), North Region; Gerry (Spud) Dick, DePauw University (Ind.), South Region; and Alex Tanney, Monmouth College (Ill.), West Region.
The National Winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 15 and the recipient will be presented with the trophy on Thursday evening, December 17 at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Va., as part of the festivities leading up to the Division III National Championship game played in Salem on Saturday, December 19.
The winner of the Gagliardi Trophy is selected by a 35-member 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.
In the third year of online voting, fans were 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. In one of the closest tallies in the 17 years of the Gagliardi Trophy: nine of the ten finalists received at least one first-place vote with the tenth candidate receiving one second-place vote. Casting a ballot on www.d3football.com which counted as one collective vote, fans selected Gerry (Spud) Dick, senior quarterback from DePauw University.
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.
Gerry (Spud) Dick, Senior Quarterback, DePauw University (Indiana): A resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, Dick is ranked 8th in Division III in pass efficiency (164.2) and 19th in total offense with 23 TDs and 9 INTs. He is a two-time captain and carried DePauw to its first-ever playoff berth. He is an Economics major named academic all-district in 2009. He volunteers in programs assisting children and elderly.
John Peters, Senior Linebacker, Union College (New York): A resident of Clarks Summit, Pa., Peters is a four-time conference defensive player of the week while leading the league in tackles (117 total; 13th in nation). He was named to the Stars and Stripes Team for the December 19 game in Mexico. A Biology major named academic all-district and college’s junior-year scholar athlete, he tutors youth and fellow college students.
Alex Tanney, Junior Quarterback, Monmouth College (Illinois): A resident of Normal, Illinois, Tanney tops, Division III with 3,495 yards passing and his 166.8 efficiency rating is 10th in the nation. H e averaged 349.5 yards per game total offense (4th in nation). Tanney tied or broke nine individual school records in ’09. A Business major, Tanney is active with food drives, Alzheimer’s awareness and Special Olympics.
Blaine Westemeyer, Senior Offensive Tackle, Augustana College (Illinois): A resident of Overland Park, Kansas, Westemeyer is a four-year starter. He has been selected for all-conference twice, a team captain and selected as an all-American in 2008. He will play in the Stars and Stripes game on Dec. 19 in Mexico. He is an Academic All-American and graduate scholarship recipient. A Biochemistry major, he is active with the Athletes Giving Back volunteer program in the Quad Cities.
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.
