Dec. 12, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern football fans can visit The Sporting News website and vote for Zak Kustok, one of eight semifinalists for the Third Annual Socrates Award. The Award is presented annually to the college athlete who best exemplifies excellence in athletics and academics. The voting deadline for the Award is Wednesday, Dec. 26.
Sporting News Radio, the official radio partner of the March of Dimes' National Athletic Awards, is the presenter of the Award, which honors achievement by the best of our nation's student athletes.
Nominees for the award are based on three factors: 1) a student-athlete who has shown himself or herself to be a leader and quality contributor in their sport(s), 2) a student-athlete who has shown himself or herself to be an outstanding student academically, and 3) a student-athlete who has shown himself or herself to be a quality citizen in their community.
Kustok, who carries a 3.06 cumulative grade point average in economics, was one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He led the Big Ten and ranked ninth nationally in total offense, averaging nearly 300 yards per game. Kustok, who is also active in community service endeavors at Northwestern, accounted for 31 touchdowns this season -- 20 passing and 11 rushing.
Previous winners of this award include Drew Brees of Purdue (2000) and Ben Hamilton of Minnesota (2001).