Nov. 5, 2008
Complete ARA Sportsmanship Award Release (PDF Format) 
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Eric Peterman (Sherman, Ill./Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin) is one of 10 finalists for the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) annual sportsmanship award, given to one outstanding NCAA Bowl Division collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship.
The 2008 Sportsmanship Award recipient will be chosen from one of these 10 finalists and announced this December. Finalists represent a variety of schools of all sizes throughout the United States. Previous winners are former Washington State quarterback Alex Brink (2007), St. Louis Rams running back Brian Leonard (2006) and Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (2005).
"The ARA Sportsmanship Award is the only national award that recognizes an athlete's character and leadership as it translates to sportsmanship," said Cathy Garcia, President of the ARA. "Our panel seeks stand out players who give 100 plus percent when on the football field and in life. We're thrilled about the caliber of this year's candidates. These young men are role models and consistently conduct themselves in an exemplary sportsmanlike manner."
In addition to this nomination, Peterman is a member of the 2008 AFCA Good Works Team, was a semifinalist for the 2008 Draddy Trophy and was a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
Peterman serves on a number of committees and organizations on campus. He is a PURPLE (Peers Urging Responsible Practices through Leadership and Education) mentor for the athletic department, having served as a leader on this group the past two-plus years. He is also a SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) representative and an active member of the group for the past three years.
On campus, he is a member of the McCormick School of Engineering Student Advisory Board, the Undergraduate Leadership Program (campus leaders trying to better the University community), the National Scholar's Honor Society (elected to organization based on academic performance as well as community service and extracurricular activities), the Gateway Sciences Workshop Program (voluntary program for upperclassmen to mentor fellow engineering students), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Northwestern Football Leadership Council (one of 10 elected leaders).
Off campus, Peterman is heavily involved in a number of community service projects, including visiting Children's Memorial Hospital on Friday mornings of weeks when the Wildcats play home football games, volunteering for Misericordia Candy Days, Dance Marathon, NU Field Day and CommUniversity Day. He also takes part in NU's annual visit from Special Spectators, an organization that brings chronically ill children and families to a football game each year.
"We are proud of our student-athletes and the contributions they make in our community," said Betsi Burns, NU's director of student development. "But Eric takes 'giving back' to a whole new level. He is the best of the best."
Peterman currently is Northwestern's third-leading receiver with 33 catches for 386 yards and three TD's, ranking among the Big Ten's leaders with 3.67 catches per game. Peterman also has thrown for two completions, including one toss for a touchdown.