Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
Newton Selected as Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
9/23/2026 5:06:00 PM | Football
The senior captain is one of 206 semifinalists for the college football’s premier academic award
IRVING, Texas — Columbia football's Charlie Newton was selected as a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy®, as announced by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF). Newton is one of a record 206 semifinalists.
Celebrating its 37th 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 Chicago, Newton is a three-year starter at linebacker for the Lions and has seen action in 30 games during his career. Newton posted 62 tackles and earned CSC Academic All-District honors in 2025. He was named a captain ahead of the 2026 season and is majoring in Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics at Columbia's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Netwon has also been a community leader, including involvement with Columbia's Catholic Ministry, induction into Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and regular volunteering at Broadway Community Service Group.
The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 21, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, presented by Las Vegas, on December 8, 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 37th Campbell Trophy and have their postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
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 2026 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and is participating in the 2026 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 NFF Awards Committee selects the class each year; it comprises a nationally recognized group of media members, 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. Captain of the 1961 Columbia Ivy League championship team, he found his true calling after an unlikely career change at 39, from football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop, and manage talented executives—lessons learned on the gridiron—proved critical to inspiring 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.
Columbia plays at Georgetown on Sept. 26 in Washington, D.C., for the Lou Little Cup. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on X, Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Celebrating its 37th 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 Chicago, Newton is a three-year starter at linebacker for the Lions and has seen action in 30 games during his career. Newton posted 62 tackles and earned CSC Academic All-District honors in 2025. He was named a captain ahead of the 2026 season and is majoring in Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics at Columbia's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Netwon has also been a community leader, including involvement with Columbia's Catholic Ministry, induction into Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and regular volunteering at Broadway Community Service Group.
The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 21, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, presented by Las Vegas, on December 8, 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 37th Campbell Trophy and have their postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
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 2026 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and is participating in the 2026 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 NFF Awards Committee selects the class each year; it comprises a nationally recognized group of media members, 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. Captain of the 1961 Columbia Ivy League championship team, he found his true calling after an unlikely career change at 39, from football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop, and manage talented executives—lessons learned on the gridiron—proved critical to inspiring 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.
Columbia plays at Georgetown on Sept. 26 in Washington, D.C., for the Lou Little Cup. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on X, Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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