Football co-captain named Draddy Award semifinalist
Released: October 6, 2005
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Jim Leszczynski has been named a national semifinalist for the prestigious “Draddy Award” post-season national scholarship. The senior co-captain is one of 43 NCAA Division III football players vying for the award.
Selected as the best of the brightest from the college gridiron, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced on Wednesday, Oct. 5, the 184 semifinalists for the 2005 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, as well as the candidates for the NFF 2005 National Scholar-Athlete Awards.
Known in many circles as the "academic" Heisman, the Draddy trophy continues to be one of college football's most sought after and competitive award, recognizing an individual as the best in the country for 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 on a 4.0 scale, 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 who founded the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound 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 15 finalists on Oct. 27. The winner, also selected by the committee, will be announced at the 48th NFF Awards Dinner on December 6 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Each finalist will also be recognized that night as part of the 2005 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship.
- Tom Pattison,pattisot@uww.edu
