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Past Recipients
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2005
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Brett Elliott, QB
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Linfield (OR)
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2004
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Rocky Myers, SS
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Wesley (DE)
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2003
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Blake Elliott, WR
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St. John's (MN)
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2002
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Dan Pugh, RB
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Mount Union (OH)
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2001
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Chuck Moore, RB
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Mount Union (OH)
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2000
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Chad Johnson, QB
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Pacific Lutheran (WA)
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1999
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Danny Ragsdale, QB
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Redlands (CA)
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1998
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Scott Hvistendahl, WR
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Augsburg (MN)
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1997
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Bill Bochert, QB
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Mount Union (OH)
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1996
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Lon Erickson, QB
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Illinois Wesleyan
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1995
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Chris Palmer, WR
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St. John's (MN)
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1994
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Carey Bender, RB
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Coe (IA)
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1993
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Jim Ballard, QB
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Mount Union (OH)
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| Minneapolis, MN - College football fans will have the opportunity to add
their collective vote to that of the national selection committee in deciding this year’s Gagliardi Trophy. The
Gagliardi Trophy is awarded each year to honor an outstanding NCAA Division III football player. Sponsored by Jostens
and the Saint John’s University, Minnesota, J-Club, the Gagliardi Trophy recognizes excellence in athletics, academics
and community service. The trophy is named in honor of John Gagliardi, Saint John’s head football coach since 1953
and the coach with the most wins in college football history, with 453 victories. |
| The winner of the Gagliardi Trophy is selected by a national selection committee
comprised of coaches, sports writers, community leaders and former Division III student-athletes enshrined in the
National Collegiate Football Hall of Fame. For the first time, fans will be able to rank the 10 finalists and cast
an electronic ballot that collectively will be added to the 30 votes of the national selection committee. Ballots
may be cast immediately through Monday, Dec. 3 through two web sites: www.d3football.com, www.usafootballnews.com
and www.usacollegesports.com. Fans may vote more than once but not more than five times per day. |
| “NCAA Division III football is growing in popularity and status,” said John
Abel, marketing director, Champion Sports, Jostens. “We are pleased that fans will now have the opportunity to
join the Gagliardi selection committee and Jostens in determining the nation’s best small college football player
who also embodies the Division III philosophy of the well-rounded student-athlete.” |
| The 15th annual Gagliardi award will be presented on Thursday, December 13,
in Salem, Va., as part of the festivities leading up to the Division III national championship game (Stagg Bowl)
the will be played in Salem on Saturday, Dec. 15. |
| Minneapolis-based Jostens is a provider of products, programs and services
that help people inspire achievement and preserve memories. The company’s products include school yearbooks and
memory books, OurHubbub™ brand MemoryBooks, scholastic products such as class rings and graduation products, and
products for athletic champions and their fans. Jostens is a subsidiary of Visant Corporation, a marketing and
publishing services enterprise servicing the school affinity, direct marketing, fragrance and cosmetics sampling
and educational publishing markets. |
|
National Selection Panel
|
| John Abel, Jostens' sports marketing manager |
| Brad Bankston, Commissioner, Old Dominion Athletic Conference |
| Carey Bender, former Buffalo Bills running back and 1994 Gagliardi Trophy
recipient |
| Jack Bogaczyk, Sports Editor, Daily Mail of Charleston, WV |
| Teel Bruner, MD, two-time Academic All-American at Center College, elected
College HOF 1999 |
| Dave Casper, NFL Hall of Fame and collegiate GTE Academic Hall of Fame -
Notre Dame |
| Pat Coleman, Editor and Publisher, D3FOOTBALL.COM |
| Mark Dienhart, Vice President and fomer head coach, University of St. Thomas |
| Joe Dudek, Plymouth State running back and 3-time D-III All American, 1985
Heisman finalist |
| London Fletcher, Buffalo Bills linebacker, 1997 Gagliardi finalist |
| Charlie Green, Wittenburg and AFL quarterback, member of College Football
Hall of Fame |
| Scott Hallenbeck, Executive Director, USA Football |
| Don Hansen, Editor, Football Gazette |
| Bill Johnson, Captain, Gemini Air Cargo |
| Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Atlanta Falcons Dir. of Community
Relations, Widener RB |
| Dr. Dick Kaiser, Defiance College (OH) Athletic Director, Chair of NCAA D-III
Football Committee |
| Bernie Kukar, retired NFL referee |
| Bill Manlove, Chair D-III Hall of Fame Committee, former head coach at Widener
(2 national titles) |
| Keith McMillan, Copy Editor, USA Today Sports Weekly |
| Pete Metzelaars, former NFL tight end, outstanding all-around D-III athlete
ay Wabash (IN) |
| Chuck Moore, 2001 Gagliardi Trophy recipient and record-setting RB at Mount
Union (OH) |
| Joseph Mucha, Retired VP - HR at General Mills, two-time NAIA championship
player at St. John's |
| Dan Mullen, Offensive Coordinator, Florida's national champions, Ursinus
College (PA) tight end |
| Austin Murphy, Sports Illustrated senior writer, author of The
Sweet Season |
| Dan Ragsdakem 1999 Gagliardi Trophy recipient, former pro quarterback |
| Bob Reade, former Augustana (IL) head who won four straight D-III titles
(1983-1986) |
| Scott "Scooter" Reppert, Lawrence University (WI), 3-time All-American
RB, college HOF |
| Scott Squires, former California Lutheran head coach, special teams coordinator
Edmonton (CFL) |
| Dr. David Warren, President, National Association of Independent Colleges
and Universities |
| Frosty Westering, Coach of 4 national small college championship teams -
College Football HOF |
| Dennis Wilson, President, USA College Sports |
| Dan Wooldridge, Retired supervisor, BIG EAST CONFERENCE football officials |
|
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