DREW SMITH NAMED REGIONAL FINALIST FOR GAGLIARDI TROPHY

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (December 6, 2007)–Hampden-Sydney senior receiver Drew Smith (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) has been named the South Region finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy.  Smith is now one of four finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, given to the Division III National Player of the Year.  On the season, Smith caught 110 passes for 1,616 yards and eight touchdowns.  The senior is both a leader in the classroom and on the football field.  Smith is a candidate as both an All-American and an Academic All-American.  Smith was named the ODAC Offensive Player of the Year and has also a first team Academic All-District selection. 

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 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.

The trophy is named for Saint John’s University head football coach John Gagliardi, the first active head coach to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2006) and the winningest coach in college football history with 453 career victories, as of Nov. 17, in 59 seasons. Gagliardi set the all-time win record on Nov. 8, 2003.

The 15^th 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 played in Salem on Saturday, Dec. 15.

-www.hsc.edu/athletics-