2005 NATIONAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETES
Division I-A
| AWARDEE | SCHOOL | POS | MAJOR | HOMETOWN |
| Josh Betts | Miami (Ohio) | QB | Finance | Vandalia, Ohio |
| David Castillo | Florida State | C | Exercise Sci./Dietetics | Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. |
| Greg Eslinger | Minnesota | C | Health & Wellness | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| Grayling Love | Arizona State | OL | Business Finance | Tempe, Ariz. |
| Garrett Mills | Tulsa | TE | Management | Tulsa, Okla. |
| Rudy Niswanger | Louisiana State | OL | Kinesiology | Baton Rouge, La. |
| DeMeco Ryans | Alabama | LB | Management | Bessemer, Ala. | |
| Bradley Smith | Missouri | QB | Bus. Admin./Marketing | Youngstown, Ohio |
Division I-AA
| AWARDEE | SCHOOL | POS | MAJOR | HOMETOWN |
| Reed Doughty | N. Colorado | FS | Sport & Exercise Sci. | Johnstown, Colo. |
| Nick Hartigan | Brown | RB | Poly Sci./History | Fairfax, Va. |
Division II
| AWARDEE | SCHOOL | POS | MAJOR | HOMETOWN |
| Cory Cangelosi | C. Arkansas | DB | Speech Communications | Mandeville, La. |
| Ryan Koch | St. Cloud St. | WR | Computer Science | Madison, Wisc. |
Division III
| AWARDEE | SCHOOL | POS | MAJOR | HOMETOWN |
| Chris Edwards | Washington & Jeff. | QB | Cell/Molecular Biology | Uniontown, Ohio |
| Matt Hawn | Saint John's (Minn.) | LB | Biology/Pre-Dentistry | Eau Claire, Wisc. |
| Santo Maimone | Case Western Reserve | CB | Chemistry/Anthropology | Eastlake, Ohio |
NAIA
| AWARDEE | SCHOOL | POS | MAJOR | HOMETOWN |
| Tyler Emmert | Carroll (Mont.) | QB | Civil Engineering | Helena, Mont. |
“We take great pride in providing each member of the scholar-athlete class with a coveted $18,000 scholarship for their post-graduate studies,” said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. “They have set the standard for their teammates and for all who play sports. By highlighting their achievements, we hope to inspire all student-athletes to higher levels of achievement in all aspects of their lives, especially the next generation of players.”
Selected by the NFF Awards Committee, comprised of former coaches, Hall of Famers and college administrators, the 16 National Scholar-Athlete Award recipients were honored at the 48th NFF Awards Dinner on December 6, 2005, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
“After thorough review of 184 outstanding candidates representing schools from all levels of collegiate play, the committee’s deliberations resulted in the selection of an exceptional class of 16 scholar-athletes,” said Robert E. Mulcahy III, chairman of the NFF Awards Committee and director of athletics at Rutgers University. “Knowing the importance and prestige of these awards, the committee takes the utmost care in making the selections, and I applaud them for their efforts.”
Each received an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship, and Rudy Niswanger of LSU was announced as the recipient of the 2005
Draddy Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award came with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and increases the winner’s scholarship to a total of $25,000.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE BIOGRAPHIES
Josh Betts
Quarterback, Miami University (Ohio)
Recipient of the Coach Lou Saban National Scholar-Athlete Award
Funded by George M. Steinbrenner III
One of the top quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference, Miami’s Josh Betts has also established himself as a leader in the classroom and in the community.
A Finance major and Management Information Systems minor, Betts earned 2004 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team honors. A member of Miami’s President’s List and Dean’s List, he continues to excel while balancing a highly demanding schedule.
In 2004, Betts became only the second Miami quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards in a single-season, a feat he has now accomplished twice. Only the third MU quarterback to see action in back-to-back bowl games, he has amassed more than 7,000 career passing yards and 45 touchdown passes. Betts was listed as the sixth-ranked quarterback on USA Today’s 2005 preseason list of top NFL Draft prospects.
A dedicated member of his local community, Betts participates in the Championship Reading Program and is highly active with the campus Bible Study and the volunteer Oxford Halloween Trick or Treat program.
Cory Cangelosi
Defensive Back, University of Central Arkansas
It takes the quintessential student-athlete to lead by example. Cory Cangelosi provides that constant leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the university community for his Central Arkansas teammates.
An accomplished scholar, Cangelosi has earned Academic All-Conference honors and Gulf South Honor Roll recognition for three straight years. A member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society, he has been listed on the school’s Dean’s List every semester of his collegiate career. A Presidential Scholar, Cangelosi was named to the 2003 Academic All-District First Team.
On the gridiron, Cangelosi has emerged as a dominating defensive presence. A First Team All-Conference pick in 2004 and Second Team selection in 2003, he currently ranks in UCA’s Top Five in career punt return yards. The 2005 team captain, Cangelosi has started every game of his career and has totaled more than 250 career tackles.
Highly active on campus and in the community, Cangelosi served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for two years and served as the Gulf South Conference’s representative to the Division II National office. A member of the NCAA Championships Committee and Football Task Force Committee, he also volunteers with the Boys & Girls Club and is the co-founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at UCA.
Jose David Castillo
Center, Florida State University
Recipient of the Florida Citrus Sports National Scholar-Athlete Award
A team captain for one of the nation’s marquis football programs, David Castillo anchors Florida State’s offensive line while maintaining an excellent academic record and contributing mightily to the community.
A two-time Academic All-Conference selection, Castillo earned his first bachelor’s degree in 2004 and is currently working on a second. A five-time ACC Honor Roll member, he earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team recognition in 2004. A seven-time Dean’s List member, Castillo was named to the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society in 2003.
A 2003 Second Team All-Conference selection and Bob Crenshaw Award recipient as the player with the “biggest heart,” Castillo was voted Most Valuable Offensive Player for FSU and helped lead the team to a #3 ACC ranking in total offense in 2004. Named a team captain for 2005, he was voted Most Dependable Offensive Lineman and Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
A volunteer for “Bowl-For-Kids-Sake,” which benefits the local Big Brothers & Big Sisters Program, Castillo also helps with “Sports Ability Day” in which handicapped children participate in a variety of sports. A Toys for Tots and Tsunami Relief collector, he is also a member of the FSUnity Council. Castillo often speaks to the Concordia Baptist Church about the role faith plays in his life.
Reed Doughty
Free Safety, University of Northern Colorado
One of the greatest scholar-athletes in the history of Northern Colorado, Reed Doughty has vaulted to the top of the academic and athletic worlds. A top-flight defensive talent with a perfect grade point average, he continues to impress.
A Sports & Exercise Science major, Doughty has twice earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team recognition and First Team Academic All-Conference honors. Maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA, he has been named to the school’s Dean’s List every semester of his collegiate career.
A fierce competitor, Doughty received First Team All-America status by the Sports Network and Third Team All-America recognition by the Associated Press. Named 2004 Division I-AA Back of the Year by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette, he finished second in the conference with six interceptions in 2004. A two-time First Team All-Conference selection, Doughty currently leads the Great West in tackles.
A two-time recipient of UNC’s Male Sportsmanship Award, Doughty speaks at many local elementary schools and with teams about schoolwork, athletics, sportsmanship and character. Active in his local church, he leads the Athletes-In-Action Bible Study. A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Doughty also participates in the “Bears for Books” reading program.
Chris Edwards
Quarterback, Washington & Jefferson College (Penn.)
Recipient of the Jefferson Walker Kirby National Scholar-Athlete Award
A record-setting quarterback with an impeccable academic ledger, Washington & Jefferson’s Chris Edwards is equally as talented on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
A three-time conference Academic Honor Roll member, Edwards has excelled academically while handling the rigors of a difficult Cell/Molecular Biology major. A Washington & Jefferson Dean’s List member and three-year Beta Scholar, he has twice earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team recognition.
Athletically, Edwards has been every bit the captain Washington & Jefferson expected. In 2004, he was named First Team All-Conference, All-Region and an ECAC All-Star. He set school single-season records for completions (237), passing yards (3,214) and touchdown passes (38) among others. An All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2003, he set an NCAA Division III record with 21 consecutive completions to start a game. To date, Edwards has thrown for more than 7,000 passing yards and 75 touchdowns.
A writer for the student newspaper, “Red & Black,” Edwards is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and coaches youth football and girls’ youth softball. A Sunday School teacher, he volunteers with Habitat-for-Humanity and the Special Olympics.
Tyler Emmert
Quarterback, Carroll College (Mont.)
Recipient of the E. Douglas Kenna National Scholar-Athlete Award
Few players in college football history have reached the heights that Carroll College’s Tyler Emmert has reached. In the classroom, he is one of Carroll’s brightest, and on the field, he has led the Fighting Saints to three consecutive NAIA National Championships.
A three-time NAIA Academic All-America selection, Emmert received the NAIA A.O. Duer Award as the nation’s top student-athlete in 2004. Majoring in Civil Engineering, he is a member of the National Honor Society and the American Society of Civil Engineering. A four-time Academic All-Conference pick, Emmert has earned Dean’s List recognition eight times.
On the field, Emmert is a two-time NAIA First Team All-America selection and was named 2003 NAIA National Player of the Year. In 2002, he earned an NAIA All-America Honorable Mention. A three-time First Team All-Conference pick and two-time Conference Most Valuable Offensive Player, Emmert has passed for over 11,000 yards and is responsible for more than 100 touchdowns. A two-year team captain, his teams have only suffered three losses since 2002.
An elementary school mentor, Emmert speaks at Hometown Helena, a weekly gathering of local business men. He is a member of Big Brothers & Big Sisters and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Greg Eslinger
Center, University of Minnesota
Recipient of the National Football League Scholar-Athlete Award
Regarded as one of the nation’s top centers, Minnesota’s Greg Eslinger has seen his performance escalate to All-America status both on the field and in the classroom.
A two-time Academic All-Conference selection, Eslinger was named to the 2004 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team. A three-time Minnesota Scholar-Athlete Award recipient, he has twice earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors and received the 2004 Butch Nash Award, given yearly to an individual that exhibits competitiveness on the field and in the classroom.
A two-year team captain, Eslinger was named 2004 First Team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America. In 2003, he earned Second Team All-America honors from SI.com and was an All-America Freshman Second Team pick by The Sporting News in 2002. A two-time First Team All-Conference pick, he was a Rimington Trophy finalist and Lombardi Award semifinalist in 2004. A starter in every game of his career, Eslinger was named 2005 Preseason First Team All-America by numerous publications and has been posted to several linemen awards watch lists.
A motivational speaker to elementary and junior high school students, Eslinger helps organize shoe collections and donations for underprivileged children. He is also a volunteer for the Special Olympics.
Nick Hartigan
Running Back, Brown University (R.I.)
Recipient of the Harold Alfond National Scholar-Athlete Award
One of Division I-AA’s truly elite runners, Brown’s Nick Hartigan has dominated the Ivy League competition and established himself as one of the school’s academic leaders.
Possessing a double major of Political Science and History, Hartigan earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team recognition in 2004. A two-time Academic All-Ivy League selection and all Division I-AA Academic All-Star, he is a Brown Presidential Fellow, Rhodes Scholar candidate and plans to study law at Oxford on a prestigious Marshall Scholarship.
A two-time First Team All-Ivy League performer, Hartigan was named Third Team All-America in 2004 and Second Team All-America in 2003. A two-time All-New England Region selection, he led the nation in rushing in 2003, compiling a Brown single-season and Ivy League sophomore record 1,498 yards. Named 2005 team captain, Hartigan ranks among the Top 15 in Ivy League history in rushing yards.
Active in the community, Hartigan is the point man for the “Relay for Life” on Brown’s campus and the Dave Zucconi 5K Memorial Run in Providence. A volunteer for “Rebuilding Rhode Island,” he is also an organizer for the Bench-A-Thon to raise money for the Lawrence Rubida Fund which benefits cancer research.
Matt Hawn
Linebacker, Saint John’s University (Minn.)
A tenacious defender, Saint John’s University’s Matt Hawn is an intricate part of the Johnnies’ defensive unit and a model of perfection academically.
A Biology / Pre-Dentistry major, Hawn earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team honors in 2004. The recipient of the CRC Chemistry Achievement Award, he has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average and earned Dean’s List recognition every semester of this collegiate career.
Under the tutelage of legendary coach John Gagliardi, Hawn has blossomed into a team leader and one of the leading tacklers in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. A 2005 team captain, he has helped the Johnnies to two conference titles and the 2003 Division III National Championship. A multi-talented athlete, Hawn is an All-Conference performer in track and holds the school record in the pole vault.
A community-minded individual, Hawn participates as the Pre-Dentistry Club president and a member of the Biology Club. A Courageous Kids mentor, he volunteers with the Special Olympics, Saint Francis Food Pantry, Salvation Army and the House Homeless Shelter and Community Table. Hawn is also a communion distributor at the SJU Campus Ministry.
Ryan Koch
Wide Receiver, St. Cloud State University (Minn.)
Recipient of the William V. Campbell National Scholar-Athlete Award
A multi-sport talent at St. Cloud State University, Ryan Koch has mastered the delicate balance of athletic prowess and academic excellence. Amidst his standout performance in two sports, he continues to maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA.
A Computer Science major, Koch was a 2004 ESPN The Magazine Academic First Team All-America selection in football and named ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-America of the Year for Track & Field in 2005. A three-time First Team Academic All-Conference pick, he received the prestigious Renslow Scholarship in 2004. A two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District pick, Koch has earned the Computer Science Scholarship three times.
On the gridiron, Koch earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2004 and First Team recognition in 2003. One of the school’s all-time receiving greats, he has amassed more than 2,400 receiving yards and 30 touchdown receptions.
A track & field standout, Koch is a two-time NCAA Division II All-America in the decathlon.
A community leader, Koch is a member of Campus Crusade for Christ and a Richard Greenhouse tutor. A volunteer for “Kids Against Hunger,” he also helps with “Athletes for Success,” Bowl-A-Thon, and Boys and Girls Club special events.
Grayling Love
Offensive Lineman, Arizona State University
Recipient of the Robert A. Simms National Scholar-Athlete Award
For gridiron success, all you need is Love. A team leader, both athletically and academically, Grayling Love has anchored the Sun Devil’s offensive line and made his presence felt in the classroom and community as well.
A 2004 First Team Academic All-Conference selection and two-time Academic All-Conference Honorable Mention, Love graduated with Cum Laude honors in May of 2005. A 2004 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team member and Second Team member in 2003, he is the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Scholar-Athlete Award and the Pat Tillman Leadership Through Action Scholarship.
A looming presence at 6-foot-3, 301 pounds, Love was a First Team All-Conference performer in 2004 and Second Team honoree in 2003. Recipient of the inaugural PAC-10 Sportsmanship Award, he was named ASU Outstanding Offensive Lineman and ASU’s Most Improved Player in 2003. Cited by numerous publications as a 2005 Preseason First Team All-Conference, Love appeared on the Watch Lists for the Rimington and Lombardi Awards as well as the Outland Trophy.
The president of the ASU Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Love volunteers at summer camps and is a speaker at local high schools about the importance of education.
Santo Maimone
Cornerback, Case Western Reserve University (Ohio)
Recipient of the William Pearce / Joseph V. Paterno National Scholar-Athlete Award
Funded by William A Schreyer
A threat in Case Western Reserve University’s defensive secondary, Santo Maimone is an athletic standout, academic scholar and now the Spartans’ first National Scholar-Athlete.
Possessing a double major of Chemistry and Anthropology, Maimone has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. The vice president of the Golden Key International Honor Society, he received the Freshman Chemistry Achievement Prize, the Phi Beta Kappa Sophomore Prize and the Junior Award of the Arts and Sciences.
A two-year team captain, Maimone earned First Team All-Conference recognition as a cornerback and Second Team honors as a kick returner in 2004. In his career, he has amassed more than 100 tackles and 10 interceptions.
An active participant in the local community, Maimone is a DARE Role Model and a donation organizer for the “Give Kids the World” charity. A volunteer for the Childtime Daycare Center and at Lake West Hospital, he plans on attending medical school.
Garrett Michael Mills
Tight End, University of Tulsa (Okla.)
One of the nation’s top tight ends, Tulsa’s Garrett Mills continues to produce impressive academics while establishing himself as one of the elite receivers in Conference USA.
A Management major, Mills is a three-time First Team Academic All-Conference selection. A four-time President’s List member and two-time Dean’s List member, he was named to the 2004 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team. A top-flight scholar, Mills’ academic credentials place him among the top 2% of the National Business Fraternity Honor Society.
A top pass-catching threat, Mills has twice earned First Team All-Conference honors and Lombardi Award Watch List recognition. A 2005 Preseason First Team All-Conference pick by numerous publications, he has totaled more than 1,900 career receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.
A community leader, Mills is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and speaks at various local elementary schools. A student celebrity at the “Jenks Jump Rope for Heart” contest, he teaches 12-13 year olds in Sunday School and participates in the Hurricane AdvenTUre Move-In of new students.
Rudy Niswanger
Offensive Lineman, Louisiana State University
Perfection personified. A key leader in the LSU community, Rudy Niswanger has mastered the quintessential balance of athletic and academic excellence.
With a perfect 4.0 GPA, Niswanger graduated in May with Summa Cum Laude honors. An ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team selection in 2004 and Second Team pick in 2003, he was named a University Medalist and three-time LSU Academic Student-Athlete of the Year. A four-time member of the SEC Honor Roll, Niswanger is a member of LSU’s Chancellor’s Honor Roll and the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Fraternity.
A physical specimen at 6-foot-5, 294 pounds, Niswanger has anchored the LSU offensive line for three years, guiding them to the 2003 National Championship. Having played and started at all five offensive line positions, he has helped the Tigers to three bowl game appearances. A 2005 team captain, Niswanger is a nominee for the Rimington Award.
A member of the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Niswanger is a speaker for various groups and schools in the Baton Rouge area and is an active member of the Campus Crusade for Christ. A member of the LSU Football Unity Council, he volunteers with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and assisted shelters following Hurricane Katrina.
DeMeco Ryans
Linebacker, University of Alabama
Recipient of the Coach Eddie Robinson National Scholar-Athlete Award
Funded by the George M. Steinbrenner Family and the New York Yankees
A fierce tackler and dominating defensive presence, Alabama’s DeMeco Ryans has helped re-launch the Crimson Tide as a national power while establishing himself as a top-flight academic scholar.
A three-time Academic All-Conference selection, Ryans is scheduled to graduate with Cum Laude honors in only three and a half years. A two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection, he was named the top student-athlete from the College of Commerce and Business Administration and received the Bryant Award as the athletics department’s top male student-athlete. An Arthur Ashe Scholar, Ryans has earned Dean’s List recognition four times.
A team leader, Ryans earned 2004 Second Team All-Conference honors. In 2003, he led the team in tackles with 126, the second highest single-season total in school history. Ryans has over 275 career tackles and is poised to become only the fifth player in school history to amass 300 in his career.
Dedicated to the community, Ryans is a frequent speaker to youth sports banquets and has been a spokesperson for the Franklin County DARE Program. A participant in area “Read Across America” programs, he volunteered at the Tuscaloosa VA Hospital United Way Kickoff Program.
Bradley Smith
Quarterback, University of Missouri
Recipient of the John H. McConnell National Scholar-Athlete Award
Widely regarded as one of the most exciting players in college football, Missouri’s Brad Smith continues to amaze on the football field. Smith dazzles and overwhelms his opponents with his arm and his legs, while maintaining a steady presence in the classroom and the local community.
A Business Administration major, Smith is a two-time member of the Big-12 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll. He graduated last May and is currently working toward a graduate degree in Agricultural Economics at Missouri.
A three-time All-Conference Honorable Mention, Smith is poised to become the first player in Division I-A history to record 8,000 career passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards. Named team Most Valuable Player in 2003, he became only the second player in NCAA history to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season. A three-year team captain, Smith holds Missouri career records with more than 7,800 passing yards, 3,800 rushing yards and 11,700 yards of total offense. Against Nebraska in 2005, Smith became the first player to rush and pass for more than 230 yards in the same game.
The recipient of the Amateur Athlete Award, Smith volunteers with the Mike Jones Football Clinic, Chancellor’s Lunch, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Food Drive, Truman Club and Athletes-in-Action.
