COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - North Central College (Ill.) senior running back Ethan Greenfield is the winner of the 2022 Gagliardi Trophy, an award presented by the J-Club to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III.
Greenfield is the sixth running back to win the Gagliardi Trophy in the 30-year history of the award. He leads the Cardinals into tonight's NCAA Division III national championship game in Annapolis, Md., against the University of Mount Union (Ohio). Greenfield is North Central's second Gagliardi Trophy winner, joining quarterback Broc Rutter in 2019.
Greenfield is the second-leading active rusher in all of college football and ranks sixth all-time in Division III history with a North Central-record 6,560 yards. Greenfield also leads all active players in career all-purpose yards (7,528) and points scored (562). He ranks fifth in Division III history in scoring and 14th in all-purpose yards.
Of the 40 voters, 34 of them had Greenfield as a top-three pick.
The other 2022 finalists were: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) quarterback/punter, Kyle King; University of Mount Union Quarterback, Braxton Plunk; and Bethel University (Minn.) quarterback, Jaran Roste.
All four finalists advanced to at least the elite eight of the Division III national tournament. Greenfield and Plunk will face off tonight in the 49th NCAA Division III national championship game.
Ethan Greenfield, North Central College (Ill.)
RB | 5-9, 213 | Senior | Sports Management
The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history. John passed away in the fall of 2018 at the age of nearly 92.
The Gagliardi Trophy finalists were announced during a live show on Wednesday, Dec. 7, on D3football.com. The 2022 Gagliardi Trophy winner was revealed on D3football.com tonight at the NCAA Division III football national championship in Annapolis.
Nominations were submitted by colleges across the country, and 15 semifinalists were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. The finalists then moved on to the Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee, which is comprised of 18 coaches, six NCAA Division III administrators, 12 regional voters and seven national Division III experts. Each cast a ballot ranking the semifinalists. A fan ballot, which served as the 40th committee member is also included.
The J-Club awarded the 2021 Gagliardi Trophy to Central College (Iowa) senior quarterback Blaine Hawkins.
Past Winners
2021 - Blaine Hawkins, QB, Central College (Iowa)
2020 - Not awarded due to pandemic
2019 - Broc Rutter, QB, North Central College (Ill.)
2018 - Jackson Erdmann, QB, Saint John's University (Minn.)
2017 - Brett Kasper, QB, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
2016 - Carter Hanson, LB, Saint John's University (Minn.)
2015 - Joe Callahan, QB, Wesley College (Del.)
2014 - Kevin Burke, QB, University of Mount Union (Ohio)
2013 - Kevin Burke, QB, University of Mount Union (Ohio)
2012 - Scottie Williams, RB, Elmhurst College (Ill.)
2011 - Michael Zweifel, WR, University of Dubuque (Iowa)
2010 - Eric Watt, QB, Trine University (Ind.)
2009 - Blaine Westemeyer, OL, Augustana College (Ill.)
2008 - Greg Micheli, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
2007 - Justin Beaver, RB, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
2006 - Josh Brehm, QB, Alma College (Mich.)
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)
About Saint John's University J-Club
Founded in 1959, the Saint John's University J-Club is a dues-based booster organization of former Johnnie student-athletes, parents, and fans, and plays a key role in support of the SJU varsity programs, intramurals and club sports. Saint John's is a private liberal arts college for men located in Collegeville, Minn.
