Justin Beaver named finalist for 2005 Gagliardi Award
Released: November 23, 2005
Justin Beaver
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater running back Justin Beaver has been named one of ten finalists for the 2005 Gagliardi Trophy. The prestigious award, presented annually to an outstanding NCAA Division III football player, honors excellence in athletics, academics and community service.
A sophomore, Beaver is the lone non-senior among the ten finalists. He is the leading rusher in Division III football entering Saturday's second round playoff game at Perkins Stadium vs. St. John’s University. This season, he has rushed for a school-record 1,745 yards and has scored a school-record tying 18 touchdowns.
Beaver's credentials are just as impressive off the football field. He has made the Dean's list every semester since starting school in 2004 and currently holds a 3.65 grade point average. He is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. During the summer, the talented athlete assisted with UW-Whitewater football camps and the UW-Whitewater passing league. He also helped mentor students at Palmyra-Eagle High School along with mentoring troubled youth at Lad Lake.
Beaver was taken by surprised when notified by Warhawk football coach Bob Berezowitz that he was named a finalist for the national award.
“I’m speechless, I really don’t know what to say,” Beaver said.
Always one to shy away from accolades, the sophomore running back gives the credit for his success on the field to his teammates.
“Without my offensive line and fullback blocking their hearts out each game, the success that I have had throughout the season would not have come,” Beaver said. “People don’t realize how much time and effort they put in for little recognition.”
Meanwhile Berezowitz has nothing but praise for his talented running back.
“He is just a remarkable young man,” Berezowitz said. “To be honored as a finalist for the top award given to an NCAA Division III football player as a sophomore is an amazing accomplishment. Justin is a great role model as a student-athlete and is already a hero to many kids around the Whitewater and Palmyra area. I am very proud of him.”
UW-Whitewater Athletic Director Paul Plinske echoes the thoughts of Berezowitz.
“This is an amazing accomplishment for Justin,” Plinske said. “He is what the John Gagliardi Trophy is all about. Last year, when he missed most of the season due to injury, Justin was Colin Burn’s biggest fan as Burns went on to lead the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in rushing. Now healthy, Beaver still is the biggest supporter of the teammates around him. He has that trait of being a charismatic leader both on and off the field. It is really special.”
The other nine finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, all seniors, include: Ross Dilator, defensive lineman at Loris; Damien Dumonceaux, defensive lineman at St. John's; Brett Elliott, quarterback at Linfield; Russ Harbaugh, quarterback at Wabash; Dusty Kain, wide receiver at Simpson; Adam Knoblauch, quarterback at Delaware Valley; Doug Phillips, quarterback at John Carroll; Joe Rizzo, defensive back at Washington University; and Mitch Tanney, quarterback at Monmouth.
The award program is sponsored by Jostens, Inc. and conducted by the J-Club of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. The award presentation will be held Thursday, Dec. 15, in Salem, Va.
The trophy is named for Saint John’s coach John Gagliardi, the winningest coach in college football history with 432 career victories in 57 seasons.
- Tom Pattison,pattisot@uww.edu
