Illinois State senior linebacker Adam Waugh was recognized as one of 16 members selected to the 2001 class of National College Scholar-Athletes by Jon F. Hanson, chairman of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Thursday. The class represents 16 of the nations finest college football student-athletes from all divisions of college football.
A model of excellence and consistency, Waugh has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average while starting in every game of his collegiate career at linebacker for the Redbirds. He is the third player from Illinois State to receive the honor along with Dan Hackman (1989) and Jeff Hembrough (1981).
Since 1959, when the first class was selected, 602 scholar-athletes have been awarded this high honor based on superior academic performance, outstanding football ability, strong leadership, and citizenship. Each scholar-athlete will be awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and will be honored at the Foundations 44th Annual Awards Dinner held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, December 11, 2001.
Director of Athletics Perk Weisenburger is delighted with Waughs selection.
This is truly a great honor for Adam and his family, as well as our athletic department and Illinois State University, Weisenburger said. Adam is a role model for all student-athletes to follow and it would be difficult to find someone more deserving of this national honor. It is not a surprise that he is in this elite group of football players across the country. His dedication to academics and the football field are unmatched. Speaking for the entire department, we are all extremely happy and proud of Adam.
Head coach Denver Johnson agreed.
I think it is great honor for Adam, Johnson said. He exemplifies what a true student-athlete should be. Hes a great role model for kids to look up to, as well as peers on his team, the coaches and the fans. Hes just a quality person and a great citizen.
A Verizon/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America pick in 2000, Waugh has been a perennial Deans List and Athletics Director Honor Roll member. A two-time Academic All-District selection, Waugh earned placement on the Gateway Conference All-Academic First Team and received the Conferences Presidents Academic Award. This year he was named a Bone Scholar, the highest academic distinction bestowed by Illinois State.
A starter on the three best teams by record in school history, Waugh is nine tackles away from becoming the ninth Redbird to record more than 300 career tackles. As a sophomore, he recorded a team second-best 101 tackles and in each of the last two seasons remained atop of the Redbirds defensive statistical categories despite overcoming injury set-backs.
Always interested in helping others, Waugh has participated in Red Cross blood drives, the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon, and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as Illinois States chapter president. In addition, Waugh, who father Maurice is an assistant football coach at Western Carolina, is also a member of the Red Tassel Mortar Board, Just-Read program, and the Redbird Ambassadors.
This years class has an average grade point average of 3.72 on a 4.0 scale.
To be eligible for a National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame postgraduate fellowship, the nominee must be a senior or graduate student in his final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have shown superior academic application and performance, have outstanding football ability as a first team player, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
With 172 outstanding candidates competing for this years awards, the selection of the scholar-athletes was a difficult challenge for the Awards Committee. The committee chose what it feels is a sensational group that represents the ideals of the Foundation with great distinction, stated Robert E. Mulcahy III, chairman of the Awards Committee and director of athletics at Rutgers University.
According to National Football Foundation Chairman Jon F. Hanson, For 43 years, these prestigious awards have placed the spotlight on only a chosen few who have excelled above all in the area of scholarship, citizenship and athletic performance. We are delighted to have this opportunity to honor these outstanding young men for all of their achievements.
At the Awards Dinner on December 11, one scholar-athlete will receive the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy. Often termed the Academic Heisman, this award provides the winner with a $25,000 scholarship towards their postgraduate studies. Since 1990, 11 scholar-athletes have been fortunate to walk away from the Awards Dinner with this much-acclaimed trophy. Past winners include Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee and Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida.
2001 class of National College Scholar-Athletes
DIVISION I-A
Andre Davis - Virginia Tech
Vernon Fox - Fresno State University
Joaquin Gonzalez - University of Miami
Christopher Hope - Florida State University
Jeff Kelly - Univ. of So. Mississippi
Patrick Ramsey - Tulane University
Tracey Wistrom - University of Nebraska
Kyle Young - Clemson University
DIVISION I-AA
Vince Huntsberger - University of Montana
Peter Lee - Yale University
Adam Waugh - Illinois State University
DIVISION II
Curry Dawson - Angelo State University
Eddie Key - Univ. of Southern Arkansas
DIVISION III
Timothy Hess - Widener University
NAIA
Travis Ahner - Carroll College
Eddie Eviston - Georgetown College
