Temple University Athletics
Ellliot Seifert Named Semifinalist For 2006 Draddy Trophy
10.18.06 | Football
Oct. 18, 2006
PHILADELPHIA - - The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame has named Temple offensive tackle Elliot Seifert a semifinalist for the 2006 Draddy Trophy. One of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, the Draddy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.
Seifert is a graduate student working toward a master's degree in biology who earned an undergraduate degree in biology this past May. A two-time (2003-04) member of the Big East All-Academic Team, he has earned citation on both the Dean's List and Athletic Director's Honor Rolls and currently has a 3.16 cumulative grade point average. A member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, he spent a week in Ambergis Caye, Belize, to conduct infield research for a tropical marine biology class. The Reading, Pa., native was honored as the team's scholar-athlete award winner by the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame on May 10.
Named to the watch list for the 2006 Rotary Lombardi Award, which honors the top lineman in college football, Seifert had previously been named a first team preseason all-independent choice by both CollegeFootballNews.com and Phil Steele's College Football Preview. Ranked as the 45th best OT in the nation by Phil Steele's, he has started every game he has played at Temple and enters this Saturday's contest at Northern Illinois with 29 consecutive starts.
In addition to excelling both on the field and in the classroom, Seifert is an active member of Owl Outreach, 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. Through the program, he has participated in a community clean-up, read Dr. Seuss books to local elementary students and helped local elementary students with their homework. Seifert also organized and ran a Partnership Field Day that saw over 500 elementary school students play sports and field games, while learning about health and nutrition, at the football complex. A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, he has also been nominated for the Coca-Cola Community All-American, the America Football Coaches Association Good Works Team and the ARA Sportsmanship Award. Seifert is an Eagle Scout stationed out of Lorane Elementary School in Exeter Township, Pa. and holds the Troop 319 record for number of merit badges earned.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists 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. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who founded the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
The NFF Awards Committee, comprised of former coaches, Hall of Famers and college administrators, will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 26. The winner, also selected by the committee, will be announced at the 49th NFF Awards Dinner on December 5 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
