RELEASED:  Wednesday, October 17, 2007

UW-Eau Claire’s Hull Named Draddy Trophy Semifinalist

Dallas, Texas--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire student-athlete Tony Hull, a three-year letterwinner, has been named one of 153 semifinalists for the 2007 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and a candidate for the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) 2007 National Scholar-Athlete Awards, the NFF recently announced.

Hull, a native of Blaine, Minn. (Spring Lake Park H.S.), is a biochemistry/molecular biology major who maintains a 3.55 grade-point average. On the football field, Hull is a team captain, has started five games this season as a receiver and leads the team in receptions with 17. He is also second on the team in number of kick returns, with seven for 118 yards. Hull has made an impact on the team in previous seasons, obtaining records for ninth place all-time for most passes caught in a game in 2005, 14th place for most passes caught in a season in 2004, and 19th place for most yards in a season in 2004. Outside of football, Hull is a member of Beta Beta Beta biological honor society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the American Chemical Society. He has been on the university’s Dean’s List twice and received academic distinction honors eight times.

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. 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 3.2 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 developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.

This year's semifinalists maintain a 3.58 average GPA in diverse majors such as physics and ocean engineering. Sixty-six players have earned all-conference recognition on the field and 106 have served as captains. The offensive line produced the most nominees with 31 candidates. Receivers and linebackers followed with 26 nominees each. Offense outscored the defense with 80 to 53 hopefuls. Twenty special teams aspirants completed the contingent. Nominees hail from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, including a record 67 contenders from the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A).

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 and a Heisman winner, had a 3.7 average GPA.

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