University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football's Travis Cooley Named Draddy Trophy Semifinalist
10/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 18, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Travis Cooley, a Southern Miss redshirt senior offensive lineman from Waynesboro, Miss, has been tabbed to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) semifinal list for the 2006 Draddy Trophy, presented by HeathSouth. The semifinalists are also candidates for the NFF 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Awards.
The Draddy Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.
Cooley has made 32 career starts in his four-year career and has allowed just two sacks, while tallying 194 knockdowns. He is part of an offensive line that is currently tied for third in the nation for fewest amount of sacks allowed. In his career, he has earned five Hawg of the Week Awards, honoring the top Golden Eagle offensive lineman for a particular game.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, the semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who founded the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
"The Draddy epitomizes everything right about college football," NFF President Steven J. Hatchell said. "By recognizing this group, we highlight the countless hours and demands that each college football player must balance as they pursue their dreams of a higher education and their passion for football. The NFF has both the privilege and responsibility to pay tribute to this exceptional group of role models, who truly embody the term student-athlete."
With an average 3.51 average GPA and majors such as biochemistry and zoology, the group includes 70 players who have earned all-conference recognition on the field.
The NFF Awards Committee, comprised of former coaches, Hall of Famers and college administrators, will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 26. The winner, also selected by the committee, will be announced at the 49th NFF Awards Dinner on Dec. 5 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Each finalist will also be recognized that night as part of the 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The Draddy, first awarded in 1990, adds to the program's mystique. Past Draddy winners include Rudy Niswanger (LSU, 2005), Michael Munoz (Tennessee, 2004) and Craig Krenzel (Ohio State, 2003).
