Finalists Named for 2003 Gagliardi Trophy as Outstanding NCAA Division III Football Player
November 25, 2003
http://gojohnnies.com/gagliardi_trophy/03finalistrelease.htm
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Four quarterbacks, three wide receivers, two strong safeties and a defensive end from nine different states comprise the 10 finalists for the 11th annual Gagliardi Trophy, which were announced on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

The award, presented to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III, honors excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award program is sponsored by Jostens, Inc. and conducted by the J-Club of Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn. This year's winner will be announced at an awards dinner on Monday, Dec. 22, at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington, Minn.

The Gagliardi Trophy is named for Saint John's University head football coach John Gagliardi, the winningest coach in college football history with 410 career victories in 55 seasons. Gagliardi set the all-time record on Nov. 8, 2003.

The 10 finalists for The Gagliardi Trophy are:
Mark Bartosic, WR, Susquehanna (Pa.), Senior, Information Systems -- Leads Middle Atlantic Conference with 70 catches for 1,182 yards and 13 TDs … leads MAC in punt return average with 13.5 yards/return …first player in NCAA history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving for four straight years… involved in United Way, Big Brother/Sister, D.A.R.E., Noell Maerz World Trade Center Foundation.

Mike Donnenwerth, P-QB, Simpson (Iowa), Senior, Biology -- Reset three school records in one game (Nov 1) … now has 6,582 passing yards in career … broke school record with 58 career TD passes, five in one game (Oct. 25)… volunteer for many on campus activities and team member of the SMOUSE school and Simpson College Campus Day, junior high baseball coach.

Blake Elliott, WR-PR, Saint John’s University (Minn.), Senior, Natural Science -- two-time MIAC Player of the Year... hold NCAA III record for a having a catch in 43 consecutive games and fourth all-time in NCAA all-divisions with 53 career TD receptions... first in MIAC with 8.29 rec/game… first in four conference categories and second in one … second in nation with 9 receptions/game… currently holds 17 school, MIAC and NCAA records… two-time dean’s list… member biology club … volunteer at Boys’-Girls’ Club, vet. clinic, and church.

Cody Fredenburg, QB, Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas), Senior, Exercise & Sports Medicine, History -- ASC All-Conference second team… ASC Academic All-Conference… 167.49 pass efficiency rating… four rushing and 14 passing TDs in 2003… volunteer coach at UMHB football camp… organized fundraiser for friend when house burned down…mentor.

Brad Keem, DE, St. John Fisher (N.Y.), Senior, English, Pre-Law Minor -- College’s all-time sack leader (27)… leads Empire 8 and Upstate N.Y. in sacks… ranks 11th in NCAA III sacks/game… dean’s list every semester… All Conference Empire 8 President’s List… volunteer tutor at local high school… summer director Tri-Town Rec. League.

Scott Krause, QB, Wis.-Stevens Point, Senior, Elem. Education -- Team MVP… All-WIAC selection… fifth in WIAC history with 32 TDs this season… two-time Div. III offensive player of the week… nine fourth quarter comebacks in career… volunteer with youth football… member of student-athlete advisory board.

Sam Lacy, SS, Bethel (Minn.), Senior, Biblical and Theological Studies -- School record four blocked punts… two fumble recovery TDs… Team high 93 tackles (2nd in MIAC)… MIAC player of the week… student body president… teaching assistant… resident assistant… volunteered in orphanage in Mexico… Habitat for Humanity… Dean’s List.

Tyler Matthews, QB. Linfield (Ore.), Senior, Math -- 22 TDs and 1,702 yds passing… leads Div III with 182.8 passing efficiency rating… single-game school records for passing yds (452), completions (29)… passed for five TDs in three different games… member of CATS, FCA, Young Life, Encounter Leadership Team… math tutor… freshman colloquium advisor… Greek Life Treasurer for a year.

Rocky Myers, SS, Wesley (Del.), Junior, Biology -- Second-team All-ACFC defensive back… 74 tackles… three INTs, 10 career… national dean’s List… Who’s Who Among Students in Universities and Colleges… U.S. Achievement Academy.

Conrad Singh, WR, Hampden-Sydney (Va.), Senior, Economics & Political Science -- three-time ODAC offensive player of the week… 88 receptions for 1,261 yards and 10 TDs… ODAC all-time leader with 277 receptions… academic All-ODAC three years… Omicron Delta Kappa, Omicron Delta Epsilon… Who’s Who among Students in American Universities… member minority student union, intercultural affairs, tiger athletic club (pres.), public service certificate club.

The Gagliardi Trophy winner is determined by a 30-member national selection committee, which includes college coaches, former athletes, college administrators, business leaders and members of the media.

The trophy features a sculpture of SJU football coach John Gagliardi and a player in a classic one-on-one sideline consultation. The sculptures are hand cast in bronze and mounted on a polished wood base. Designed by Jostens, Inc., the trophy stands nearly two-feet tall and weighs 64 pounds.

For more information about the Gagliardi Trophy, please call 320-363-3654.