By: Jill A. Duling, public relations office
October 3, 2008
BLUFFTON, Ohio—The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced Oct. 1 that Bluffton University senior Joel Sienicki (Goshen, Ind./Northridge) is one of 164 semifinalists for the 2008 Draddy Trophy and a candidate for one of the 2008 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. Sienicki is one of 37 Division III semifinalists and he is the only member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference to be named.
“The Draddy Trophy is one of college football’s most sought after and competitive awards,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning whose sons Peyton (Draddy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “It recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership, and we’re incredibly proud to select the next winner from this remarkable group of semifinalists.”
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 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
An intervention specialist with a minor in coaching, Sienicki was nominated by Bluffton University head football coach Tyson Veidt: “Joel represents the definition of a student-athlete. He has had great success in the classroom and on the football field. Being a semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy is a credit to Joel’s work ethic and leadership abilities. This award represents the true meaning of amateur sports, and Joel’s selection is a credit to Bluffton University and our football team.”
The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2008 National Scholar-Athlete Class. The Draddy winner will be announced at the NFF’s Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, N.Y.
Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The first Draddy was awarded in 1990. Notable NFF National Scholar-Athlete alumni include NFL standout Derrick Brooks (Florida State); actor Mark Harmon (UCLA); NASA astronaut Leland Melvin (Richmond); former Dateline NBC anchor Stone Phillips (Yale); chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament, Billy Payne (Georgia); famed NFL quarterback Steve Young (BYU); and Heisman Trophy winners Terry Baker (Oregon State), Gary Beban (UCLA); Doug Flutie (Boston College) and Danny Wuerffel (Florida).
