Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE'S JOHN GROSS NAMED A SEMI-FINALIST FOR THE DRADDY TROPHY
10.4.05 | Football
PHILADELPHIA -
The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame today named Temple senior offensive tackle John Gross a semifinalist for the 2005 Draddy Trophy. Known in many circles as the "Academic" Heisman, the Draddy Trophy continues to be one of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.Gross, a three-time member of the Big East Conference All-Academic Team, has played in 32 consecutive games and made 28 straight starts on the Temple offensive line. A preseason All-Independent selection by CollegeFootballNews.com, he maintains a 3.32 cumulative grade point average as a kinesiology major and has earned citations on both the Dean's List and Athletic Directors Honor Rolls.
In addition to excelling both on the field and the classroom, Gross is an active member of Temple Teammates, a community service program conducted by the Department of Athletics to raise the consciousness and awareness in young people throughout the Delaware Valley on aspects of leadership, positive character development and community service. He has visited ill children at Temple Children's Medical Center and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Slatington, Pa. native (Northern Lehigh HS) is also a member of Unity Council, a group established by the players to help ensure the integrity of Temple football, and was recently named to the Golden Key International Honor Society.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semi-finalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Nominees hail from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA: 63 from Division I-A; 44 from Division I-AA; 20 from Division II; 43 from Division III; and 14 from the NAIA.
The NFF Awards Committee, comprised of former coaches, Hall of Famers and college administrators, will select and announce 15 finalists on Oct. 27. The winner, also selected by the committee, will be announced at the 48th NFF Awards Dinner on December 6 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Each finalist will also be recognized that night as part of the 2005 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship.
