MARSHFIELD, Mass. – Gallaudet University's Cress Fisher (Boyertown, Pa.) and Maritime College's Liam McManus (Carmel, N.Y.) have both been nominated for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy as announced by the National Football Foundation.
Named in honor of the late William V. Campbell, The William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda has become the most prestigious and desirable "academic" award in college football. The trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates must be:
* A senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility;
* Have a grade point average 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.
Selected by the NFF Awards Committee in October, the finalists and the winner are all honored at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by ETT in December at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. Each finalist receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments.
During the event, one member of the class is selected as the recipient of the Campbell Trophy® presented by Mazda as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation and has his postgraduate scholarship increased to a total of $25,000. The award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy.
Fisher, a center for Gallaudet, has appeared in 21 games for the Bison over the past three seasons. He is also a two-time ECFC All-Academic honoree (2019, 2018) and was named an Honorable Mention selection on the 2019 ECFC All-Conference team. Fisher is majoring in Art and Media Design at Gallaudet.
McManus, an offensive lineman for the Privateers, has appeared in 24 games over the course of his career. He has been named to the ECFC All-Academic twice (2019, 2018) and is majoring in Maritime Studies.
More information on the Campbell Trophy can be found here.
