Weber Named a Draddy Trophy Semifinalist
Urbana senior linebacker vies for college
football's most prestigious academic honor
DALLAS (October 11, 2007) – Selected as the best and the brightest from the college gridiron, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) today announced the 153 semifinalists for the 2007 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and the candidates for the NFF 2007 National Scholar-Athlete Awards.

Urbana University senior linebacker Kevin Weber has been selected as one of the semifinalists. Weber, one of the Blue Knights’ most prolific tacklers, is also a solid student at Urbana.

"The NFF is extremely proud of this year's group of semifinalists," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "Their substantial commitment to academic excellence, athletic prowess and community service is commendable, and it is our responsibility to honor them for their dedication on and off the playing field. These players are the greatest illustration of how we hope to build leaders through football."

One of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, the Draddy Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.

Weber, who is Urbana’s second leading tackler this season with 48, is one of the best at his position in Blue Knight history. During his career he has amassed 307 total tackles, including 188 solos, which is 34 off the school record, held by all-American Charles Boyd. He needs just one fumble recovery to tie the Urbana career record. He is a two-time all-Mid-States Football Association selection at linebacker. Weber was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of Orchard Park High where he was named first-team all-New York State and was named the Shane Conlin Award winner, given to the best linebacker in Western New York.

Weber has been named to the Urbana University Dean’s list and is a two-time NAIA Academic all-American. Weber is also a two-time Mid-States Football Association all-academic team member. He has twice been named Urbana’s Most Outstanding Student Athlete (2004 & 2006). He was selected to Alpha Chi, a national academic honor fraternity, as well as a member of Urbana University’s Academic Honors Society. In 2006 he was named to Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities. In 2005, Weber was honored by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Student Athlete.

In addition to his athletic and academic accolades, Weber was named Urbana University’s homecoming king in 2006. He has been involved in community service projects to beautify Urbana City local parks. He is president of Urbana University’s Student Business Association and is the founder and a current member of Cojourners at Urbana, an on-campus Bible study. Weber is a resident advisor (RA), responsible for 80 people on his floor and 130 total students in a freshman dormitory. He is certified in peer mediation, conflict resolution and first aid. Weber also participates in Urbana football’s Read-Along Program in which Blue Knight football players read to third and fourth grade students at Urbana City Schools and speak of the importance of making good decisions in all aspects of their lives.

“It's been an honor and true pleasure having the opportunity to work with Kevin and watch him grow and mature into an outstanding student-athlete. This prestigious accomplishment is a direct reflection of his commitment, dedication and hard work to achieving success on and off the field,” said Urbana Head Coach Tim Place. “Kevin Weber embodies all that is good in a student-athlete and he has represented Urbana University and the Blue Knight football program with class and dignity.

“As well, this recognition is a testament to all who have had a part in his growth: professors, coaches, and support staff,” added Place. “It also reinforces what the Blue Knight football coaching staff is attempting to achieve: student-athletes who understand what it takes to be successful in all facets of their life.”

Weber is the second Blue Knight in three years to be named a Draddy Award semifinalist. Defensive end Vincent Scalmato was a 2004 selection.

Semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.

The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 25. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2007 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Draddy winner, who will receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship, will be announced at the NFF's Annual Awards Dinner on December 4 at the prestigious Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. A total distribution of more than $300,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening.

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. Past Draddy winners, including two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, a Heisman winner and a 3.7 average GPA, are: Chris Howard (Air Force, 1990); John B. Culpepper (Florida, 1991); Jim Hansen (Colorado, 1992); Thomas Burns (Virginia, 1993); Robert Zatechka (Nebraska, 1994); Bobby Hoying (Ohio State, 1995); Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1996); Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997); Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1998); Chad Pennington (Marshall, 1999); Kyle Vanden Bosch (Nebraska, 2000); Joaquin Gonzalez (Miami, 2001); Brandon Roberts (Washington University-Mo., 2002); Craig Krenzel (Ohio State, 2003); Michael Munoz (Tennessee, 2004); Rudy Niswanger (Louisiana State, 2005); and Brian Leonard (Rutgers, 2006).

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