Eleven MAC Students Nominated for The Wuerffel Trophy
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — Oct. 19, 2017 — The Wuerffel Trophy announces a record number of 104 college Football Bowl Subdivision player nominees for consideration of the 2017 trophy that recognizes community service. Representing the MAC are 11 students:
• A.J. Coney, University of Akron, senior, wide receiver
• Vinnie Palazeti, Ball State University, senior, offensive line
• Nate Locke, Bowling Green State University, senior, linebacker
• Joe Ostman, Central Michigan University, senior, defensive line
• Jeremiah Harris, Eastern Michigan University, junior, defensive line
• Matt Bahr, Kent State University, junior, linebacker/defensive back
• James Gardner, Miami University, junior, wide receiver
• Max Scharping, Northern Illinois University, junior, offensive line
• Troy Mangen, Ohio University, senior, tight end
• Cody Thompson, University of Toledo, senior, wide receiver
• Jamauri Bogan, Western Michigan University, junior, running back
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. The Wuerffel Trophy, now in its 13th year, is named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Danny Wuerffel, from the University of Florida.
“To have a record-breaking 104 nominations for this year’s Wuerffel Trophy is the often, untold story of college football,” said Danny Wuerffel. “The collective amount of community service from this group is amazing, especially given the time requirements to play the game. We look forward to showcasing the actions of these incredible young men it in the months to come. These players are truly inspiring.”
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a national selection committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients. Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective university Sports Information departments and closed on Oct. 13, 2017. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 2, 2017, and finalists announced on Nov. 22, 2017. The formal announcement of the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be on Dec. 5, 2017, at the National Football Foundation’s press conference in New York City.
The 2017 Wuerffel Trophy winner will be invited to attend “The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show” on ESPNU and ESPN3 on Dec. 7, 2017, airing at 6 p.m. EST/5 p.m. CST, featuring interviews with award winners and finalists as they approach The Home Depot College Football Awards Show, the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The presentation of the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 49th Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 16, 2018, in Fort Walton Beach.
The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association, which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 23 awards boast more than 700 years of tradition-selection excellence. For more information, go to www.NCFAA.org.
