IRVING, Texas  — Columbia football's Mark Chapman was selected as a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy®, as announced by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF). Chapman is one of 177 semifinalists.

Celebrating its 36th year, the Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the nation's absolute best football scholar-athlete for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.

A native of Guilford, Connecticut, Chapman is a three-year starter for the Lions at center, who has seen action in 17 games during his career. He was named a captain ahead of the 2025 season and is majoring in Economics. Chapman has been a leader in the community as well, volunteering at local food distribution centers, children's organizations and NMDP, where he informs individuals on the importance of registering to become a blood plasma and/or bone marrow donor and assisting them with the registration process.

The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, presented by Las Vegas, on December 9, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the event, one member of the class will be declared the winner of the 36th Campbell Trophy and have their postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. Click here for more information on the Awards Dinner, including options to purchase tickets online, special travel rates to the event from Delta Air Lines and room rates at the Bellagio.
 
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility in the 2025 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and is participating in the 2025 season; have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor; and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which comprises a nationally recognized group of media, NFF College Football Hall of Famers, and athletics administrators.

The Campbell Trophy was first awarded in 1990, further enhancing the program's prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and eight first-round NFL draft picks. Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the storied venue.

Known as "The Coach of Silicon Valley," Campbell became one of the country's most influential business leaders, playing a critical role in the success of Apple, Google, Intuit, and countless other high-tech companies. The captain of the 1961 Columbia Ivy League championship team, he found his true calling after an unlikely career change at the age of 39, from football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop, and manage talented executives—lessons learned on the gridiron—proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to achieve the highest levels of success.

Later in life, Campbell was driven by a heartfelt desire to give back, and he quietly gave away tens of millions of dollars to multiple charities while also finding an hour and a half each autumn weekday to coach an eighth-grade boys and girls flag-football team near his home in Palo Alto, California. Campbell passed away on April 18, 2016, at the age of 75.

The Lions will unveil the 2024 Ivy League Championship banner ahead of its home opener against Georgetown on Saturday, September 27, at Robert K. Kraft Field at Wien Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. on ESPN+.

Tickets are available starting at $13. To purchase, click here or call 888-LIONS-11.

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