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Mount Union's Kevin Burke has
a chance to repeat as Gagliardi Trophy winner.
Photo by Eric Kelley, d3photography.com |
The 10 semifinalists for the 2014 Gagliardi Trophy were
announced, releasing the names that will be on the ballot in voting
for Division III football's top student-athlete. The winner will be
announced in Salem, with four finalists present for the ceremony.
The ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 17, will be
aired live by D3sports.com.
Last year, Mount Union quarterback Kevin Burke brought home the
trophy. The award is named for legendary St. John's coach John
Gagliardi, who retired in 2012 after 64 years as a collegiate head
coach.
After screening the nominations, the SJU J-Club Board of
Directors narrowed the field to 10 finalists. The 40-member
Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee reviews the
credentials, ranks the candidates 1-10 and casts their votes. Fan
balloting, which is available on D3football.com, accounts for the
41st ballot, and is being conducted on D3football.com for the
eighth consecutive year. Fans will be permitted to cast one
ballot per device, through 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 8.
In its message to the voting panel, the Gagliardi Trophy administration reminded
voters: "The Gagliardi Trophy is a football award but incorporates
the philosophy of the well-rounded student-athlete." The award
is presented by Jostens and the J-Club of St. John's University of
Minnesota.
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Michael Bates
Illinois College senior quarterback; Auburn,
Ill.
Ended regular season as the active NCAA Division III leader in
career passing yardage … led nation in points responsible
for (244) and his 32 touchdown passes were tied for fourth …
served as vice president and secretary for the organization
Brothers and Sisters in Christ … also raised money for
Pregnancy Resource Center in Jacksonville, Ill.
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Kevin Burke
Mount Union senior quarterback; Westlake,
Ohio
Directed an offense that led Division III in yards per game
(619.2) and points scored (577) … is 38-1 as a starting
quarterback at Mount Union … 2013 Gagliardi Trophy recipient
… led Mount Union to 2012 national title and 2013 runner-up
finish … volunteers with Fellowship of Christian Athletes
and Mount Union’s Relay for Life.
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Joe Callahan
Wesley junior quarterback; Absecon, N.J.
Finished third in Division III with 34 touchdown passes …
fifth in both passing efficiency (181) and points responsible for
(228) … recorded seven games of 300 passing yards or more
… active volunteer at the annual Wesley SAAC Food Drive for
the Food Bank of Delaware ... is also a math tutor and participated
in Read Across America.
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Brady Grayvold
UW-Whitewater senior cornerback; Norway,
Mich.
Tied for the conference lead with six interceptions and had 12
in his last 15 games to end the regular season … ranked 19th
nationally in interceptions per game … Whitewater finished
second in Division III in scoring defense (8.6 ppg.) and sixth in
rushing defense (77.0 ypg.) … volunteered as a football-camp
coach and with the campus’ pep rally for freshmen.
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Domonique Hayden
Thomas More senior running back; Lexington,
Ky.
Led Division III in rushing touchdowns (25), finished second in
scoring (16.7 ppg) and third in rushing yards per game (158.4) ...
set school records for career rushing yards (5,461) and single-game
rushing yards (336) … volunteers with Thomas More’s
mentor program and is a member of the school’s leadership
council … also volunteered with Northern Kentucky Special
Olympics, raised money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and
participated in a mission trip to Costa Rica.
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Dylan Jones
Willamette senior running back; Santa Maria,
Calif.
Led Division III in rushing yards per game (177.7) and finished
second in total rushing yards (1,599) … set school records
for single-season rushing yards (1,599), single-game rushing yards
(350) and longest rush (98 yards) … volunteered with United
Way and the local food-sharing program in Salem, Ore.
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Matt Pawlowski
Guilford junior quarterback; Greensboro,
N.C.
Led Division III in passing touchdowns (38) and was second in
both passing yards (3,476) and points responsible for (236)
… was sixth in passing efficiency (179.2) and seventh in
completions per game (25.0 per game) … set schools records
for passing touchdowns (38) and completion percentage (.678) in a
season … volunteers weekly during the offseason mentoring
students with academic or behavioral challenges … also
served as a motivational speaker to local youth teams.
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Logan Schrader
Wartburg junior quarterback; Kildeer, Ill.
Finished second in Division III in passing efficiency (186.9)
and third in yards per completion (16.61 ypc) … named the
2014 IIAC Offensive Most Valuable Player … tied the
school’s single-game record for passing touchdowns (5) twice
in 2014 … volunteered with Special Olympics … is an
active volunteer at the Bremwood Lutheran Children’s Home in
Waverly, Iowa.
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Sam Sura
St. John's junior running back; South St. Paul,
Minn.
Led Division III in rushing yards (1,605) and finished second in
rushing yards per game (160.5) … ended the regular season
with seven consecutive 100-yard rushing games (nine in 10 games
total) … posted three games of 200 yards rushing or more
… volunteers with Feed My Starving Children.
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Josh Warbington
East Texas Baptist junior quarterback; Hallsville,
Texas
Led Division III in passing yards (3,580) and passing yards per
game (358.0) … finished sixth in completions per game
(25.90) and eighth in both passing touchdowns (30) and total
offense (352.6 ypg.) … had 14 touchdown throws of 30 yards
or longer and five games with more than 400 yards passing …
volunteered at local blood drive, as well as with Special Olympics
and at the local food shelf … active volunteer with local
church by helping the elderly and teaching youth.
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