Presented annually to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III football by Jostens, Inc. and the J-Club of Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn.
The Gagliardi Trophy was first presented in 1993. Since that time, the award has become one of the leading collegiate football awards and is widely recognized as the premier individual award in Division III football, honoring excellence in athletics, academics and community service.
Nominations for the award are made by the college president with supporting letters and credentials provided by the
head football coach. After screening the nominations, the SJU J-Club Board of Directors narrows the field to 10 finalists including at least one finalist in each of the four NCAA regions. The 35-member Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee reviews the credentials, ranks the candidates 1-10 and casts their votes. Starting in 2007, fans were given one collective vote on the d3football.com web site. The student-athlete with the highest vote total is named recipient.
The Gagliardi Trophy is presented in Salem, Va., site of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, on the eve of the national championship game. Through its commitment to college athletics and the Gagliardi Trophy, Jostens brings the award recipient and his coach to the presentation banquet.
Selection Committee
Head Coach John Gagliardi
12/15/09 - Augustana (Ill.) Offensive Lineman Blaine Westemeyer (left) Named Recipient of 2009 Gagliardi Trophy as Outstanding NCAA Division III Football Player - Release | Interview (courtesy D3football.com)
12/11/09 - Four Regional Finalists Named for 2009 Gagliardi Trophy - Release
11/25/09 - Finalists Named for 2009 Gagliardi Trophy as Outstanding NCAA Division III Football Player - Release
Past Winners of the Gagliardi Trophy
2009 - Blaine Westemeyer, OL, Augustana College (Ill.) - Video
2008 - Greg Micheli, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio) - Video
2007 - Justin Beaver, RB, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Video
2006 - Josh Brehm, QB, Alma College (Mich.) - Video
2005 - Brett Elliott, QB, Linfield College (Ore.)
2004 - Rocky Myers, SS, Wesley College (Del.)
2003 - Blake Elliott, WR/PR/KR, Saint John's University (Minn.)
2002 - Dan Pugh, RB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
2001 - Chuck Moore, RB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
2000 - Chad Johnson, QB, Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.)
1999 - Danny Ragsdale, QB, University of Redlands (Calif.)
1998 - Scott Hvistendahl, WR/P, Augsburg College (Minn.)
1997 - Bill Borchert, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
1996 - Lon Erickson, QB, Illinois Wesleyan University
1995 - Chris Palmer, WR, Saint John's University (Minn.)
1994 - Carey Bender, RB, Coe College (Iowa)
1993 - Jim Ballard, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio)