Seth Russell of Baylor University has been nominated for the 2016 Wuerffel Trophy, according to Sean Dorre, Baylor Football Media Relations. The senior quarterback from Garland High School has completed his undergraduate degree in Communications and is currently working on a second degree in Health, Kinesiology and Leisure studies.
Russell, a two year starter for the Bears, traveled to Brazil for a mission trip with Baylor student-athletes in May 2016 and also volunteers to pack lunches as part of BU’s annual Feed My Starving Children event. He also volunteers with Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Club.
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy Winner, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy, “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, annually to the college football player that best combines exemplary community service with academic and athletic achievement.
Past winners of the award are: Rudy Niswanger – LSU – 2005; Joel Penton – Ohio State – 2006; Paul Smith – Tulsa – 2007; Tim Tebow – Florida – 2008; Tim Hiller – W. Michigan – 2009; Sam Acho – Texas – 2010; Barrett Jones – Alabama – 2011; Matt Barkley – USC – 2012; Gabe Ikard – Oklahoma – 2013; Deterrian Shackelford – Ole Miss and 2014 – Ty Darlington – Oklahoma – 2015.
The nomination period for the award ends Oct. 14, with semi-finalists released Nov. 3 and finalists Nov. 23. Formal announcement of the winner will be at the National Football Foundation’s news conference in New York City Dec. 6, with the presentation being made at the 48th Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet Feb. 10, 2017, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. A list of all of the 2016 nominees can be found HERE.
The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 23 awards boast over 700 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
For more information on the Wuerffel Trophy, please contact Tom Brassell at (850) 585-5512 or visit www.wuerffeltrophy.org