Nov. 10, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Quarterback Brett Basanez (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator) earned a spot on the short list of another national award Thursday, being named one of 13 finalists for the first Wuerffel Trophy, an award that honors a college football player who best combines exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievement.
The award is named after former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who led the Florida Gators to the 1996 national championship, played six years in the National Football League and most recently has received national recognition for his humanitarian and community service efforts with Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans.
The other finalists for this award include: Grayling Love (Arizona State), Dane Todd (Nebraska), Luke Johnson (Southern Mississippi), Ryan Neill (Rutgers), Troy Bienemann (Washington State), David Thomas (Texas), David Justice (North Carolina), Rudy Niswanger (LSU), James Anderson (Virginia Tech), Antoine Huffman (Kentucky), Ed Wenger (Florida International) and Brandon Hoyte (Notre Dame).
A voting committee, which includes 10 prominent Wuerffel Trophy regional directors, will vote on the finalists and the winner will be announced later this month.
Former coach Bill Curry, now a college football analyst for ESPN, added: "This award is not just a little different from all other awards, it's a lot different. When I was approached about this I was a little skeptical until I realized it was the embodiment of everything that Danny Wuerffel stands for. The spirit of this award is something that is long overdue. You're recognizing not only a great athlete and a great student but someone who also gives and cares."
Earlier this week, Basanez was named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award. He is also a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.