For more information on the Wuerffel Trophy, contact Tom Brassell at (850) 585-5512 or visit http://www.wuerffeltrophy.org.

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For more information on the Wuerffel Trophy, contact Tom Brassell at (850) 585-5512 or visit www.wuerffeltrophy.org.

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — The All Sports Association, Inc., announced today that nominations for the 2008 Wuerffel Trophy are officially open and will close at 5:00pm CST on Friday October 31, 2008.
“I am excited that the nominations for the 2008 Wuerffel Trophy are now open”, commented All Sports Association President Mike Coupe’. “This award identifies and recognizes what is really good in college football and we at the All Sports Association are extremely proud to be associated with that effort.”
Named after former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player that best combines exemplary community service, with academic and athletic achievement.
Following the close of nominations on October 31, the list of Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be announced on November 12, 2008 and distributed to the award’s National Selection Committee. Formal announcement of the winner will occur on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Presentation of the 2008 Wuerffel Trophy will be at the All Sports Association’s 40th Annual Awards Dinner on February 20, 2009, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Past winners of the Wuerffel Trophy are: (2007) Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa, (2006) Joel Penton, DL, Ohio State and (2005) Rudy Niswanger, DL, Louisiana State

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For more information on the Wuerffel Trophy, contact Tom Brassell at (850) 585-5512 or visit www.wuerffeltrophy.org.

AP Sports Writer

2005 Wuerffel Trophy winner Rudy Niswanger puts medical school aside for chance to play in NFL

 RIVER FALLS, Wis.  _ Booing Rudy Niswanger many not be smart.     

    Kansas City’s cerebral young center almost never forgets anything he does, sees or hears.  And one day he may be standing over your unconscious body holding a sharp knife.  

   An honors graduate from LSU with a degree in kinesiology, Niswanger was accepted into medical school before he was ignored in the 2006 draft after being named the winner of the All Sports Association Wuerffel Trophy.  He seriously thought about becoming an orthopedic surgeon. 

   After the disappointment of the ’06 draft, a medical career seemed the only sensible path for the 6-foot-5, 300-pound native of Monroe, La.  The NFL seemed to be telling him the odds were long, very long.

     Whether he would thrive in academically stimulating environment of medical science seemed beyond question.  Not only had he been a first-team academic All-American, he’d also won the prestigious Draddy Trophy, which the National Football Foundation awards each year to the top scholar among football players.

   “I interned for an orthopedic surgeon for three summers while I was in college,” Niswanger said.  “I had a lot of fun doing that, and saw a lot of interesting surgeries.  But football is what I really want to do.  It’s where my passion is.”

   So he kept his teeth in the ankle of his dream.  In Kansas City as an undrafted free agent, Niswanger fought and clawed and managed to hold onto one of the last spots on the roster.  As a rookie, he was a third-team center. 

   Last year he moved to second-team.  Now with the Chiefs revamping their offensive line almost entirely, the would-be doctor is finally, first-team.

   The medical career that so many young people strive all their lives toward has become “a fallback plan.”

   So what does he like about football? 

   “To be honest with you, what is there not to like about football?” he replied, looking around as weary teammates trooped off the field following a practice that had lasted nearly 2 hours.

   He began talking at a faster clip.

   “I look at it as the sport of men, as the sport of passion.  It’s the sport of velocity and strength and violence, controlled violence.”

  But those who see only violence are missing its best part.

   “The important thing, the thing people don’t realize, is the intellectual side of it,” he said.

  If you can take a playbook that’s four inches thick and not only memorize it, but memorize it in a way that when you get out there and you’ve got 90,000 people screaming, you’ve got people moving, you’re sweaty, you’re tired, your blood’s pumping __ and you still make decisions in the blink of any eye__ that’s intelligence.”

   “That’s one of the aspects that really drew me to this game, especially the offensive line positions.”  Niswanger’s IQ is high, which is good.  But so is his head, which is bad.

   Most centers are in the 6-foot-1, 6-2 range.  That’s ideal for keeping low and getting that all-important leverage as they snap the ball and explode into would be tacklers.  It’s a problem the 6-5 Niswanger has battled all his football life.

   “Rudy’s doing great.  He’s probably the smartest guy on this football team,” said left guard Brian Waters, a three-time Pro Bowler.  “Physically you worry because he’s so tall.  But Rudy does a great job, he’s flexible.  He knows how to use his height to his advantage.”

  Waters, a former center, has carefully watched Niswanger’s development.

   “He’s still got a ways to go,” he said.  “He’s got to get some experience, but that’s all going to come with games.  He’s a family guy who’s going to be accountable.  He’s somebody you can trust.  There have been some tall centers who were successful.”

   At this point in his life, Niswanger figures being a tall center is better than being a tall doctor.

   “Football is a young man’s game and I can only play it for so long.  And if I’m blessed enough to have both a long football career and a medical career, that’s great,” he said.  “But if I play long enough in the NFL and I don’t feel that I’m young enough to go back to medical school, well, that’s great too.”

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — The Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, FL, announced today the addition of 2 new Directors to its National Selection Committee, Rece Davis of ESPN and Spencer Tillman of CBS Sports.
    “We are obviously extremely excited and honored to have these 2 gentlemen added to our illustrious list of National Selection Committee members,” said 2008-2009 All Sports President, Mike Coupe’. “They bring a wealth of knowledge about (and experience with) many facets of collegiate football to the Wuerffel Trophy selection process. They becoming involved really speaks volumes for the award and what it stands for in college football.”
   Davis is a 1988 graduate of the University of Alabama and has worked with ESPN in many roles since 1995. He is currently the regular season host of College Football Live, which airs daily during college football season and is also anchor of the studio crew of College Game Day (football and basketball).
   Tillman was an All American running back and captain for the 1985 National Championship Okalahoma Sooners. He played professionally for the Houston Oilers and the San Francisco 49ers in his 8 year NFL career, which was capped by winning Super Bowl XXIV. Tillman joined CBS Sports in 1999 as a lead studio analyst and is currently the co-host of College Football Today with Tim Brando.
   Davis and Tillman join current Wuerffel Trophy National Directors:
— Tim Brando, CBS Sports College Football Today and Fox Sports Net
— Bob Casciola, President/Executive Director (Retired) National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame
— Irv Cross, Retired NFL Player and CBS Sports NFL Today Co-Anchor – CEO Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Minnesota
— Bill Curry, Retired NFL Player and NCAA Div I Coach. Currently Head Football Coach, Georgia State University
— Mike Ditka – Retired NFL Player and Coach. Inductee of both Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988) and College Football   Hall of Fame (1986). Currently ESPN NFL Live commentator.
— Dick Enberg, CBS Sports
— Mike Gottfried, ESPN commentator. Executive Director, Team Focus
— John Huarte, Heisman Trophy Winner -1964 (Notre Dame), College Football Hall of Fame - 2006
— Steve Owens, Heisman Trophy Winner – 1969 (Oklahoma), College Football Hall of Fame - 1991
— Rudy Riska, Executive Director Emeritus, Heisman Memorial Trophy
   The Wuerffel Trophy, named after former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, is presented annually by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, to the college football player that “best combines exemplary community service, with academic and athletic achievement.” Past winners are: (2007) Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa, (2006) Joel Penton, DL, Ohio State and (2005) Rudy Niswanger, DL, Louisiana State.
   The 2008 Wuerffel Trophy will be formally announced on December 8, 2008 and will be presented to the winner at the All Sports Association’s 40th Annual Awards Banquet on February 20, 2009.

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For more information on the Wuerffel Trophy, contact Tom Brassell at (850)585-5512 or visit www.wuerffeltrophy.org

OKALOOSA ISLAND — Danny Wuerffel and “The Ole Ball Coach” were together again at the All Sports Association Trophy Awards Dinner on Friday at the Emerald Coast Conference Center.

And the coach, Steve Spurrier, didn’t disappoint as the featured speaker poked fun at himself, shared stories of Wuerffel and preached lessons for success to a packed house.

“As far as winners, Danny is the best I’ve had,” Spurrier said. “I’m often asked who my favorite player is.

“I have a lot of favorite players. They’re the guys that are unselfish, are in super condition and give credit to their teammates.”

However, not even Spurrier could overshadow the annual auction which raised more than $50,000 that will go to support the Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics and the YMCA. The three organizations each received $25,000 from the association at the dinner.

The big ticket item was a Florida Heisman football autographed by Spurrier, Wuerffel and Tim Tebow. The football sold for $15,000. The “We Are Marshall,” Tribute package sold for $7,500. Other big dollar items were the Florida National Championship package, a football and basketball combination that honored the Gator titles in both sports, which sold for $5,000.

The Miami Dolphin Perfect Season package sold for $4,000.

Much to the delight of the Troy University faithful, a Trojan helmet autographed by Troy coach Larry Blakeney sold for more than the Auburn or Alabama football items.

With Blakeney on hand to drum up support, the Troy helmet sold for $3,300. The Crimson Tide helmet signed by Nick Saban went for $2,250 and the Auburn helmet and jersey signed by Tommy Tuberville brought $1,500.

One of the high points of the evening was the recognition of this year’s All Sports award winners: Scholastic winners were Niceville’s Jennica Hagberg and Crestview’s Matt Sanders; collegiate winner Florida gymnast Savannah Evans; Amateur winner world class judo champion Shane Simerly; Professional winner, New York Giant kicker Lawrence Tynes; Special Olympian Emmanuel Valentin and Wuerffel Award winner Paul Smith, Tulsa’s record-setting quarterback.

Upon accepting the Wuerffel Award, Smith paid recognition to the first two winners: Joel Penton of Ohio State and Rudy Niswanger of LSU.

“The last two years they’ve done an amazing job of selecting the winners,” Smith said. “As I’ve gotten to know Joel and Rudy the last few days, I just hope I’m in the same class as a man of God as those guys.”

Savannah Evans, University of Florida gymnast and graduate from Fort Walton Beach High School, is the 2008 All Sports Association Collegiate Athlete of the Year. Savannah is a 2007 two-time first team All-American in vault and floor exercise and advanced to the 2007 NCAA Individual Event Finals after posting season-best marks of 9.90 for both events in the NCAA Championships Session I team qualifying competition. She finished her UF career with three All-America honors for floor exercise, matching the University of Florida record for the highest number of floor exercise All-America honors in school history.
Savannah is a four-time member of both the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll and the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches Scholastic All-America team. She is the recipient of a Gator Achievement Award at 2007 UF Office of Student Life Senior Banquet. She was named to the 2007 ESPN Magazine Academic All-District III Academic All-American First Team.
Savannah is from Destin, Fl. and is the daughter of Mike and Cheryle Evans. After graduation this May Savannah is planning to attend graduate school with a career goal to continue in collegiate athletics and one day become a collegiate athletic administrator.

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla - Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith has been named the winner of the third annual Wuerffel Trophy by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach.

The Wuerffel Trophy is presented to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Smith was named a first-team Academic All-America while maintaining a 3.84 GPA in communication.

On the field he was equally impressive throwing for a Conference USA record 4,327 yards and 39 touchdowns while passing for more than 300 yards in each of Tulsa’s regular season games. Smith was named the Conference USA Co-Offensive Player of the Year and garnered first-team All-Conference honors at quarterback.

Smith led the Golden Hurricane to a berth in the Conference USA championship game against Central Florida where he threw for an additional 426 yards and three touchdowns.

Although Tulsa lost the title game, the Golden Hurricane will play meet Bowling Green in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 6, 2008.

“We are all thrilled to find out you won because this is an incredible, incredible year with so many finalists that are so deserving,” Wuerffel told Smith on Monday. “We are just thrilled to death to announce that you are the winner. My family and I are proud that you will be representing our family as the winner of the Wuerffel Trophy.

“In fact, both my mom (Lola) and dad (Jon), at different points made the comment that of all the candidates you reminded them the most of me. I don’t know whether that was good or bad, but according to them that was good, so congratulations Paul.”
Smith said he was excited and humbled to join past winners LSU’s Rudy Niswanger and Ohio State’s Joel Penton as a Wuerffel Trophy winner.

“This is the biggest thing (honor he could receive) just because of my knowledge of Danny Wuerffel and what this trophy is,” Smith said. “I was honored to be nominated and become a finalist. To be mentioned in the same sentence with those that have won it, or were even nominated for it, is probably one of the biggest accolades of my life, if not the biggest.”

“There’s no better person (than Danny Wuerffel) to model your life after, so I’m really excited.”

In addition to Smith’s achievements on the playing field and in the classroom, he is actively involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes having served as the Tulsa University FCA president the last three years.

He is a popular speaker and singer throughout the Tulsa area, and has participated in inner city ministry, and has been active in programs that educate young people so they can make positive choices about drugs and alcohol.

The Wuerffel Trophy will be presented to Smith at the 39th annual All Sports Association Awards Dinner to be held at the Emerald Coast Conference Center in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on February 15th, 2008.  South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier will be the keynote speaker at the banquet

By PERRY BALLARD
Northwest Florida Daily News

When Steve Spurrier talks, people listen. Whether it’s a jab at an opposing team or his unique spin on a hot topic of the day, Spurrier is never at a loss for words. In February, sports fans in Northwest Florida will get to hear what’s on his mind. The current South Carolina football coach and former architect of Florida’s powerhouse teams in the 90s will be the guest speaker for the All Sports Association’s 39th annual trophy dinner on Feb. 15 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center.

All Sports president Gene Smith made the announcement on Friday. “To tell you the truth, we’re really very lucky to get him,” Smith said. “Being such a successful college coach and popular figure, he is in great demand as a speaker. “With him being so high-profile, it will really help with our sponsor sales. We’re looking for a lot of them to step forward and increase their support. I feel like we’ll have no problem selling out the banquet. Coach Spurrier still has a lot of following from Gator fans even though he’s not there any longer.” Spurrier, a former Florida quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 1966 and then returned to his alma mater to dominate the Southeastern Conference, is in his third year at South Carolina and has the No. 7 Gamecocks atop the SEC East.
He compiled an amazing 122-27-1 record at Florida from 1990-2001, a winning percentage (.817) that ranked among the top three in SEC history.

How dominant were the Gators? Spurrier is the only coach in SEC history to lead a school to 12 straight seasons of nine or more wins. Nationally, Florida finished in the top-10 nine times and in the top-5 six times during his tenure. In addition to six SEC titles, the Gators won the national crown in 1996. Quarterbacking the team was Fort Walton Beach’s Danny Wuerffel. As part of the trophy dinner ceremonies, the club presents the Danny Wuerffel Trophy to a college player who stands out in athletics, academics and community service. Smith said that might have nudged Spurrier to accept the invitation to speak.

“Danny is one of his greatest players,” Smith said. “Danny’s involvement, and the fact that we’re giving out the Wuerffel Trophy on the same night, probably helped us get coach Spurrier.” Smith said there might have been another motive for Spurrier to attend. “He has a daughter in Panama City,” Smith said. “It’s an excuse to visit the grandchildren.”

The club will honor its high school academic winners and top amateur, collegiate, professional and Special Olympic athletes at the trophy dinner. It will also present the Al Byrne Award to a person who volunteers his time to youth athletics. Smith said he will announce the speaker for the annual FCA Breakfast soon.