Just for the record: 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: “Please remember that the winner of the award should be an outstanding football player who, at the same time, exemplifies the Division III philosophy of the well-rounded student-athlete. The winner of the award should exhibit excellence in three areas: football, academics and service/leadership on campus and/or in his community.”

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.”

There used to be a national Division III football award purely for football prowess, the Melberger. However, this award has been mismanaged and marginalized into a regional production. It flamed out rather famously in 2002 and hasn’t been a legitimate award since. We’ve toyed with naming our own Division III football player of the year award (by the way, if you’re looking to sponsor such an award, we’re all ears). This effort gained traction last year when Wooster running back Tony Sutton was not named the Gagliardi winner. However, I think this year Gagliardi voters will agree with us on a winner.

This is a great award. We need an award that exemplifies the spirit of Division III. But we also need to remember that football is part of the award.

Here’s more on each of the 2005 finalists, by the way:

Russ Harbaugh, QB, Wabash College (Ind.), Senior, English and Art – NCAA playoff participant…29 touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 games this season…3,324 yards, in 11 contests, to break the school’s single-season passing record…NCAC Offensive Player of the Year…football community food drive & freshman orientation community projects.

Adam Knoblauch, QB, Delaware Valley College (Pa.), Senior, Criminal Justice – NCAA playoff participant…one of only seven players in college football history (all divisions) to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 1,000…has passed for 10,758 yards in his four seasons (sixth all-time in Division III), and run for 1,468 yards…career total offense of 12,226 yards ranks third in Division III history and he is 10th in touchdown passes with 97…semifinalist for Draddy Trophy from the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame……member of move-in team, student athletic advisory committee and visited children’s hospital in Philadelphia.

Brett Elliott, QB, Linfield College (Ore.), Senior, Communication – NCAA playoff participant…passed for 3,105 yards and 41 touchdown passes this season…ranks #1 in Division III in pass efficiency with a 201.08 rating and in touchdown passes/game at 4.56…threw four or more touchdowns eight times this season…worked with the Linfield Review campus newspaper and campus radio station KSLC…served a summer internship with KFXX radio in Portland…served as a speaker at freshman colloquium and volunteered as a weekly tutor and mentor to an at-risk fifth grade student for nine months.

Ross Dillavou, DE, Loras College (Iowa), Senior, Psychology – 2005 team leader in tackles for loss with 12.0 and sacks with eight…ranks 33rd in the nation in sacks per game, third on Loras in tackles and three blocked kicks (1 punt, 1 field goal & 1 extra point)…peer tutor and student teacher…leadership council representative for athletics and fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief…mentor at Mass, read to elementary students, did fundraising for Special Olympics and played Santa Claus for local Knights of Columbus benefit.

Dusty Kain, WR, Simpson College (Iowa), Senior, Sports Administration – Broke school records for career TDs with 27, career receptions with 233 and career yards receiving with 3,210 yards…works with retirees at The Village Home in Indianola, served as a team member for Simpson College campus day…helps as a volunteer for the Prairie City-Monroe boys & girls track meets, booster drives & city food drive.

Mitch Tanney, QB, Monmouth College (Ill.), Senior, Math and Spanish – NCAA playoff participant…eclipsed most of the school’s single-season records with 215 completions in 292 attempts for 2,587 yards and 33 touchdowns…academic all-district first team…Dean’s List for six semesters…members of Spanish honor society — Delta Sigma Pi…received honors from the mathematics and modern foreign languages departments…served as volunteer Spanish instructor at local elementary school for second graders…also volunteers for special Olympics and the Boys & Girls Club.

Justin Beaver, RB, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (Wis.), Sophomore, Physical Education – NCAA playoff participant…rushed for 1,745 yards in 2005…scored 18 TDs, averaged 5.7 yards a carry & 174.5 yards per game…number one rusher in Division III this season…Dean’s List every semester in school…member of the student advisory council and football council freshman year…assisted with Whitewater football camps and passing league official…helped mentor students at Palmyra-Eagle H.S…mentors troubled youth at Lad Lake.

Doug Phillips, QB, John Carroll University (Ohio), Senior, History and Communications – Threw for 2,543 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2005…two-time Ohio Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week…leads OAC in passing touchdowns and is second in passing yards at 254.3 yards per game…Dean’s List all six semesters…honors program, 2005 National Football Foundation Draddy Award semifinalist…Habitat for Humanity, campus ministry and international children’s games volunteer.

Damien Dumonceaux, DL, Saint John’s University (Minn.), Senior, Biology & Mathematics – NCAA playoff participant…leads SJU with 67 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and four blocked kicks…2005 MIAC Mike Stam Award winner as conference’s top lineman…named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 5 second team in 2005…will graduate with more than 150 credits…member of the biology & mathematics clubs, tutor for comparative anatomy, support staff member for struggling biology students…active member of the St. John the Baptist Parish as a religion education teacher.

Joe Rizzo, DB, Washington University (Mo.), Senior, Finance and Accounting – led team with six interceptions…had 37 tackles this season…Dean’s List, Academic All-UAA and CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District…Give Thanks, Give Back executive board…Phi Delta Theta president, Inter Fraternity Council vice president of campus outreach, campus interview team and varsity football team captain.