RELEASED:  Friday, December 7, 2007

UW-Whitewater’s Beaver Among Gagliardi Final Four

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior running back Justin Beaver has been named the West Region finalist, one of four remaining candidates, for the Gagliardi Trophy.

The Gagliardi Trophy, named in honor of the long-time Saint John's University (MN) coach, is coordinated by the Saint John's J-Club and sponsored by Jostens.  The honor is emblematic of the top player in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III football.

Beaver, a native of Palmyra, Wis. (Palmyra-Eagle H.S.), earned All-America honors after his sophomore and junior years.  He set the NCAA Division III single-season record with 2.420 yards rushing in 2005, he is the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) career rushing leader and has moved into second place on the NCAA III career rushing list.  He was named the WIAC Player of the Year and Max Sparger Scholar Athlete recepient.

Beaver is joined by North Region finalist Derek Blanchard, a senior guard from Mount Union College (Ohio); senior quarterback Jason Boltus of Hartwick College (N.Y.), the East Region finalist; and senior wide receiver Drew Smith of Hampden-Sydney College (Va.), the South Region finalist.

The Gagliardi Trophy winner will be announced the afternoon of Monday, December 10.  The award recipient will be honored at a banquet Thursday, December 13 in Salem, Va., site of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl NCAA III championship game.