DeGasperis Named Semi-Finalist for Draddy Award
10/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
NEW YORK – Senior wide receiver Nick DeGasperis has been named one of 148 semifinalists for the 2006 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced.
DeGasperis, one of 37 Division I-AA semi-finalists, is second on the team in receiving yards (182) and third in receptions (14) midway through the 2006 season. The Schenectady, N.Y. native is majoring in political science. He and Yale senior offensive lineman Ed McCarthy are the only two Ivy Leaguers on the list.
One of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, the Draddy Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.
“The Draddy epitomizes everything right about college football,” said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. “By recognizing this group, we highlight the countless hours and demands that each college football player must balance as they pursue their dreams of a higher education and their passion for football. The NFF has both the privilege and responsibility to pay tribute to this exceptional group of role models, who truly embody the term student- athlete.”
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.0, have outstanding football ability as a first team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback, the award comes with a bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
The NFF Awards Committee, comprised of former coaches, Hall of Famers and college administrators, will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 26. The winner, also selected by the committee, will be announced at the 49th NFF Awards Dinner on December 5 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Each finalist will also be recognized that night as part of the 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship.
2006 Division I-AA National Scholar-Athlete Nominations and Draddy Semifinalists
School, Nominee
Alabama A&M, Kristian Smith
University at Albany, Ryan Chrobak
Austin Peay State, Drew Wilson
Bucknell, David Frisbey
Butler, David McMahon
California - Davis, Jonathan Grant
The Citadel, Christopher Murray
Columbia, Nicholas DeGasperis
Davidson, Kyle Kinsell
Dayton, Brandon Godsey
Delaware State, Peter Gaertner
Furman, Adnan Filipovic
Idaho State, Brandon Mennear
Lafayette, Bradley Maurer
La Salle, Louis Russo
Maine, Justin Roberts
Marist, Nicholas Salis
Massachusetts, Bradley Anderson
McNeese State, Brent Pousson
Monmouth (N.J.), Adam San Miguel
Montana, Dustin Dlouhy
New Hampshire, Corey Graham
Nicholls State, Toney Edison
North Dakota State, Craig Dahl
Northern Arizona, Jeff Wheeler
Northern Iowa, James Lindgren
Rhode Island, Kyle Edwards
Saint Francis, Luke Palko
Samford, Graham Lemmond
San Diego, Kyson Hawkins
South Dakota State, Marty Kranz
Southern Illinois, Jack Wise
Stephen F. Austin State, Andrew Fleck
Texas State, Walter Musgrove
William & Mary, Matthew Trinkle
Yale, Ed McCarthy
Youngstown State, Ryan Jewell
