Lehigh University Athletics
Van Ackeren named semifinalist for Draddy Trophy
10/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Senior captain Brendan Van Ackeren has been named a semifinalist for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership, it was announced on Wednesday by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF). Van Ackeren is one of only three Patriot League student-athletes named a semifinalist, joining Bucknell’s Kevin Mullen and Holy Cross’ Matt Partain.
A starting safety on the Lehigh football team, Van Ackeren has appeared in over 30 games during his career, having made over 60 tackles in that time. Van Ackeren totaled a career-high ten tackles in Lehigh’s game at Princeton on September 27, while in the classroom, the industrial engineering major carries a 3.48 grade point average and has made multiple appearances on the Dean’s List and the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. Van Ackeren is also the secretary of the Student-Athlete Executive Committee, a member of the Student-Athlete Mentor (SAM) program, a Peer Educator, a member of Lehigh University’s award winning C.O.A.C.H. Program and he served as a student guide for a Board of Trustees Meeting.
Semifinalists for the Draddy Trophy must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of 3.2 or better, have outstanding football ability and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on October 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2008 National Scholar-Athlete Class. Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The Draddy, first awarded in 1990, adds to the program’s mystique, having previously honored two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist and a Heisman winner.
