Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

San Jose State senior kicker Bryce Crawford is one of 179 national semifinalists for the 2017 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented by Fidelity Investments, according to an announcement by the National Football Foundation and the College Hall of Fame.

The Campbell Trophy honors the top scholar-athlete in college football. Candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be a senior or graduate student in his final year of playing eligibility, have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA, be a first-team player and demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

“These 179 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “For 60 years, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete program has showcased more than 800 college football players who have been successful on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. This year’s semifinalists further illustrate the power of our great sport in developing the next generation of influential leaders.”

One of the best kickers in SJSU history, Crawford is a two-time Mountain West Scholar-Athlete, two-time Academic All-Mountain West honoree and a SJSU Dean’s Scholar.

Crawford’s contributions in the community are just as impressive and showcase the total student-athlete ideal. He served as a team representative to the Florida Hospital during the 2015 AutoNation Cure Bowl. He has participated in after school reading programs with students that have English as a second language. He has volunteered time at the Via Hermosa Senior Housing apartment complex in San Jose, assisting residents with daily chores. He has assisted with SJSU events such as the annual fall on-campus move-ins.

“Bryce Crawford is everything that is right about college football. He is a young man that takes his academics very seriously. He is an honor roll guy every semester. He works extremely hard at being the best he can be. He’s dependable, on time, a good leader for our team. Guys look up to him,” says SJSU Football Head Coach Brent Brennan.

“He shows up for everything (community service). He wants to give back. He totally appreciates and respects his opportunities as a student-athlete and recognizes the potential power and platform that he has to positively impact the community.”

“The NFF would like to personally congratulate each of the nominees as well as their schools and coaches on their tremendous accomplishments,” said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell. “We are extremely proud to highlight each semifinalist’s achievements, showcasing their ability to balance academics and athletics at the highest level. The NFF Awards Committee will have an incredibly difficult task in selecting the finalists from this outstanding group of candidates.”

12 to 14 finalists will be selected and announced as 2018 National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athletes on October 31 and receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. From the finalists, one will be designated as the William V. Campbell Trophy winner and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

In 2016, wide receiver Tim Crawley became SJSU’s first recipient of a NFF National Scholar-Athlete award.