Wesley Strong Safety Named Recipient of 2004 Gagliardi Trophy

The Gagliardi Trophy
Presented annually to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III football by Jostens, Inc. and the J-Club of Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn.

The Gagliardi Trophy was first presented in 1993 to the Outstanding Division III football player of the year by Jostens and the J-Club of Saint John's University. Since that time, the award has become one of the leading collegiate football awards and is widely recognized as the premier individual award in Division III football, honoring excellence in athletics, academics and community service.

12/15/04 - Wesley Strong Safety Named Recipient of 2004 Gagliardi Trophy as Outstanding NCAA Division III Football Player

Past Winners of the Gagliardi Trophy
2004 - Rocky Myers, SS, Wesley (Del.)
2003 - Blake Elliott, WR/PR/KR, Saint John's University (Minn.)
2002 - Dan Pugh, RB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
2001 - Chuck Moore, RB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
2000 - Chad Johnson, QB, Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.)
1999 - Danny Ragsdale, QB, University of Redlands (Calif.)
1998 - Scott Hvistendahl, WR/P, Augsburg College (Minn.)
1997 - Bill Borchert, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
1996 - Lon Erickson, QB, Illinois Wesleyan University
1995 - Chris Palmer, WR, Saint John's University (Minn.)
1994 - Carey Bender, RB, Coe College (Iowa)
1993 - Jim Ballard, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio)

The Gagliardi Trophy Selection Committee
Carey Bender, former Buffalo Bills running back and 1994 Gagliardi Trophy recipient

Jack Bogaczyk, sports editor for the Charleston, W. Va., Daily Mail

Dave Casper, NFL Hall of Famer and member of collegiate GTE Academic Hall of Fame

Pat Coleman, editor and publisher, D3football.com

London Fletcher, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills and 1997 Gagliardi Trophy finalist

Don Hansen, editor of the Football Gazette

Pat Harmon, historian for the College Football Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundation

Bill Johnson, captain, Gemini Air Cargo

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, community relations director for the Atlanta Falcons and former D-III standout at Widener

Bernie Kukar, NFL referee

Marv Levy, Coe College alumnus; Fox Sports NFL commentator and NFL Hall of Fame former head coach, Buffalo Bills

Bill Manlove, chair of the Div. III Hall of Fame Committee; winner of two Div. III national championships at Widener and former Div. III football chair

Pete Metzelaars, former NFL tight end and outstanding all-around Division III athlete at Wabash

Jim Moretti, athletic director at Alfred University and chair of the NCAA Div. III football committee

Joseph R. Mucha, vice president for human resources at General Mills and a two-time NAIA championship player at Saint John's

Austin Murphy, Sports Illustrated senior writer and author of The Sweet Season

Bob Reade, former head football coach at Augustana College (Illinois), and winner of four consecutive NCAA Division III titles from 1983-86

Robin Roberts, ABC-TV / ESPN sports anchor and reporter

Ron Schipper, former head football coach at Central College

Scott Squires, head football coach at California Lutheran University

Dr. David L. Warren, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

Dennis Wilson, publisher of Sports in the Garden State and USA III Football

Dan Wooldridge, retired supervisor of Big East Football Officials

John Abel, Jostens' sports marketing manager

Mick McCambridge, immediate J-Club past president


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Athletic Department
Saint John’s University
PO Box 7277
Collegeville, MN 56321
320-363-2757
Fax 320-363-3130