EXCELLENCE
PRIDE
TRADITION
SCHOLAR-ATHLETES
John Wendling was one of only 17 national finalists for the National Football Foundation’s Draddy Trophy in 2006. The Draddy Trophy, renamed the Campbell Trophy in 2009, is often referred to as the “Academic Heisman”. It is awarded each year to the top football scholar-athlete in the country. Here Wendling is pictured with 2006 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Emmitt Smith at the annual NFF & College Hall of Fame Awards Dinner.
Chris Prosinski 2006 NFF High School West Region Scholar-Athlete Chris Prosinski (far right) with two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin and fellow 2006 NFF High School Scholar-Athletes Barry Gallup Jr. (far left) and Bryant Browning (second from right)
Each year since 1959, the National Football Foundation (NFF) has honored the nation’s best all-around college football players with its National Scholar-Athlete program. The top college football student-athletes have been recognized by the NFF for their athletic ability, academic prowess and civic leadership. Through the years, four Wyoming Cowboys have received this prestigious honor. Pat Smyth in 1959, Marty Eliopulos in 1986, Trenton Franz in 2004 and John Wendling in 2006 were chosen by the National Football Foundation for this elite honor. Wyoming’s most recent honoree, John Wendling, was named one of only 17 national finalists for the NFF’s Draddy Trophy in 2006. The Draddy Trophy, renamed the Campbell Trophy in 2009, is presented annually by the NFF to the top football scholar-athlete in the country. It is often referred to as the “Academic Heisman”. By being named a finalist, Wendling was also named to the NFF’s National Scholar-Athlete team, and he was awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. Former Cowboy center Trenton Franz earned the honor in 2004. Franz went on to pursue his graduate studies in engineering at Princeton University, where he earned master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering in June 2007 and then received his Ph.D. in January 2011. Former Wyoming Cowboy Chris Prosinski joined some very elite company when the National Football Foundation (NFF) selected him as one of only five high school student-athletes in the nation to be honored in its 2006 NFF High School Scholar-Athlete Class. Prosinski was the West Region honoree. Over one million high school student-athletes play football each season. The NFF, through its 120 chapters nationwide, honor approximately 2,500 of these high Wyoming’s National Football Foundation school student-athletes with over Scholar-Athletes $800,000 in annual scholarships. 1959 Pat Smyth, Guard From that group of 2,500 1986 Marty Eliopulos, Linebacker scholarship recipients, the NFF chooses 2004 Trenton Franz, Center only five for the distinct honor of National High School Scholar-Athlete. 2006 John Wendling, Strong Safety
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Hampshire Honor Society Beginning in 2007, the National Football Foundation created the Hampshire Honor Society to honor college football players across the country who achieved both on and off the football field. Wyoming has had players receive the honor in nine of the first 10 years of the award’s existence. Those former Cowboy honorees are listed below.
2007
Mike Groover, Defensive End Tyler Holden, Wide Receiver John Wendling, Strong Safety
2008
Luke Chase, Linebacker Sean Claffey, Linebacker Brandon Haugen, Linebacker
2009
Jake Edmunds, Linebacker Michael Ray, Strong Safety Chris Sundberg, Tight End
2010
Russ Arnold, Center Weston Johnson, Linebacker Jesson Salyards, Tight End
2011
Dax Crum, Quarterback Chris Prosinski, Free Safety Alex Toney, Linebacker
2012 2013
Clayton Kirven, Offensive Tackle
2014 2015
None
2016
Cameron Coffman Rafe Kiely
Luke Ruff, Free Safety Oliver Schober, Linebacker Keenan Montgomery Mark Nzeocha Stuart Williams
FOOTBALL