First off, just as a reminder: The Gagliardi Trophy is not the Division III equivalent of the Heisman.
The award doesn’t always go to the best player in Division III. The mission of the award is different than the Heisman’s, or, at least, the end results are. The instructions to voters say it all: “The winner of the award should exhibit excellence in three areas: football, academics and service/leadership on campus and/or in his community.â€
It goes on to give the most salient point, one which I think should be emphasized. “First and foremost, however, it is a football award; you should consider the candidate’s scholastic and extra-curricular records to help you break a tie.â€
With that reminder out of the way, I have to say, this is about as wide open a final four as I remember.
• Blaine Westemeyer, Sr., Tackle, Augustana
• Spud Dick, Sr., Quarterback, DePauw
• Alex Tanney, Jr., Quarterback, Monmouth
• John Peters, Sr., Linebacker, Union
No Mount Union players, no UW-Whitewater players. Two quarterbacks, a defensive player and an offensive lineman. Only one defensive player has ever won the award and no offensive linemen have.
Sometimes I look at the final four and I have a pretty good idea who is going to be on the podium in Salem. But I don’t this year.
This is going to be pretty interesting.
Good Luck to these final four!
I’m only 1/35th (or whatever) of the voting committee, but this struck me as well. I don’t see two of my top three even listed as finalists.
I have voted for linemen and defensive players before — I try to give those guys a fair shake as Division III’s best player, to go beyond just QBs and RBs — and I’ve more than once pored over the packets and settled on a different player than who ultimately takes home the trophy. But this year has never featured a no-brainer candidate, and it’s not any more obvious (though I’ll venture a guess) who wins it.
I’ll guess Tanney. But good to see a T and and LB as finalists.
Don’t count out the LB this year. In my estimation, he might be the best all-around candidate in the bunch, and I’m not just stating it because of my affiliation with Union College.
I really think this year’s award comes down to exactly how you perceive the criteria (Pat’s emphasis is an interesting take on it, but I’ve heard it weighed differently several times regarding what level of consideration things other than football should merit).
Regardless, Peters is a solid choice, and I wish him luck here. Congratulations to all four finalists!
dont get me wrong these are great 4 athletes but, i think credit needs to be shown where credit belongs. WHALEN at case is a great athlete and i believe that he belongs in the final four. i understand that this award isnt just for the best player but he goes to case which means he has great grades and he is definately a leader on the field.
Keith and Pat,
Just out of curiosity, how many juniors have won the award? Tanney was the only non-senior in the group of 10 finalists and I thought that would put him at a disadvantage…apparently not.
I think it comes down to the two quarterbacks and Tanney’s been more impressive numbers wise.
Good luck to everyone…what an honor!
I thought it was a good year for a kicker to win!!
You were right, Pat. Interesting indeed. But obviously a very deserving winner…epitomy of the term student-athlete!
Make that epitome…I wasn’t as good at the student part of student-athlete:)