Finalists Named for 2004 Gagliardi Trophy as Outstanding NCAA Division III Football Player

November 23, 2004

http://gojohnnies.com/gagliardi_trophy/04finalistrelease.htm

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Four wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two running backs and two defensive backs from eight different states comprise the 10 finalists for the 12th annual Gagliardi Trophy, which were announced on Tuesday, Nov. 23.

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 on Thursday, Dec. 16, in Salem, Va.

The Gagliardi Trophy is named for Saint John's University head football coach John Gagliardi, the winningest coach in college football history with 421 career victories in 56 seasons. Gagliardi set the all-time record on Nov. 8, 2003.

The 10 finalists for The Gagliardi Trophy are:

Zachary Bruney, QB, Mount Union (Ohio), Senior, Exercise Science -- Co-captain...third rated quarterback in passing efficiency in NCAA Division III...second rated quarterback statistically in Ohio Athletic Conference in passing yards at 219.1 ypg and total offense at 2,202 yards...middle school tutor working with sixth graders...football game volunteer.

Scott Burnoski, WR, Wis.-La Crosse (Wis.), Senior, Marketing -- Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year...All-WIAC first team...set school record for career catches (187), yards (2,919), and touchdowns (28)...has 64 catches, 846 yards and 12 TD’s in 04...Community Clean Up Day.

David Crowley, WR, Centre (Ky.), Senior, Psychology/Anthropology-Sociology -- Set school record with most receptions in a season (70), most yards in a season (1,063) and most yards in a game (218)...currently ranks fifth in the country in receiving yards per game (118.1) and sixth in receptions per game (7.8)...internship at Comprehensive Care and volunteered at Woodlawn Children’s Home.

Nick Cushman, WR, Albright (Pa.), Senior, Spanish/Latin American -- Leads the nation in receiving yards per game (151.7) and second in the nation in receptions per game (9.1)...caught 15 touchdowns this fall...volunteers with the reading chapters of Big Brother/Big Sisters...also volunteers for the Bertis County Humane Society.

Lance Moore, RB, Hardin-Simmons (Texas), Senior, Math -- Set the school’s single-season and career rushing touchdown record...recorded his second-straight 1,000-yard season...led team to a 10-0 regular season record and a third American Southwest Conference title in four years...volunteers at Camp Rehab and also with Roby High School Future Farmers of America.

Brad Musso, WR, Wheaton (Ill.), Senior, Communications -- Became the ninth player in Division III history to collect 4,000 career receiving yards...three-time all-conference selection and a strong candidate for a fourth...organized and started a Young Life group at a local middle school...heavily involved at Kanakuk Christian sports camp.

Rocky Myers, FS, Wesley (Del.), Senior, Biology -- Nationally ranked in three categories - total tackles at 12.1 per game (19th), solo tackles at 6.2 per game (35th) and passes defended at 1.6 per game (24th)...National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame 2004 Scholar-Athlete...volunteers in Youth Reading Program at North Denver Elementary and Dover Central Middle School Guidance Office...also volunteered as camp counselor at St. Thomas More Youth Basketball Camp.

Anthony Sutton, RB, College of Wooster (Ohio), Senior, Communications -- Averaged 187.5 rushing yards per game...set NCAC records for career rushing yards (5,248) and single-season all-purpose yards (2,221)... volunteered for five years at the Black Clinic in Akron, Ohio, a facility for those with mental disabilities.

Daniel Swanstrom, QB, Rhodes (Texas), Senior, History -- Became Rhodes all-time career leader in passing yards (7,386 yards, 55 career TD passes)...fifth all-time in SCAC passing yards...holds eight Rhodes all-time passing records...SCAC player of the week during week 6 with 409 yards and five touchdowns...actively involved in the Big Brother/Big Sister programs...coached 7-on-7 youth football leagues every summer.

Jordan Talge, CB, Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.), Senior, Economics/Political Science -- Team captain...helped defense finish in the top 10 of the nation in total defense and scoring defense...ended regular season with eight interceptions, 31 solo tackles, 42 total tackles and 17 passes defended...community service time spent coaching youth basketball and football programs...also built homes in association with Habitat for Humanity.

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.

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