Oct. 8, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Penn State senior linebacker Josh Hull (Millheim) is among the candidates for the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's Scholar-Athlete Fellowship and the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy), presented to the nation's premier college football student-athlete.
A two-year starter on one of the nation's most talented and productive defenses, Hull is a candidate to become Penn State's 16th NFF Scholar-Athlete recipient, the last being linebacker Paul Posluszny in 2006. The fifth-leading tackler in the Big Ten Conference this season, Hull owns a 3.56 cumulative grade point average in environmental systems engineering.
A starter in all 18 games the past two seasons, Hull was selected a first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American® in 2008. He will have an opportunity to become Penn State's seventh two-time first team Academic All-American® this fall.
Hull is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, earning a 3.92 GPA during the fall 2007 and 2008 semesters. He has earned Dean's List recognition in each of the last six semesters and is on schedule to graduate in December. Last spring, he was awarded the University's prestigious Eric A. Walker Award, presented to annually to the Penn State student who has contributed the most to enhancing the reputation of the University through extracurricular activities.
The former walk-on from Penns Valley High School leads No. 14/12 Penn State with 52 tackles and is third with 5.0 tackles for loss. Hull has recorded four consecutive double figure tackle games, with a career-high 13 hits vs. Iowa and Temple, and has led the Lions in tackles the last three games.
Hull is one of the Nittany Lion football team's most active student-athletes in community service. Among his activities during his Penn State career are: Penn State Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB), Student-Athlete Speakers Bureau, Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games volunteer, THON Make-A-Wish program, Penn State Dance Marathon volunteer, Multiple Sclerosis Walk, Habitat for Humanity, Penn State Lift for Life and a variety of speaking engagements to local schools and youth football camps.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, Campbell Trophy candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Renamed this fall to honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, and a former player and head coach at Columbia, the award comes with a 25- pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
"The Campbell Trophy semifinalists represent everything great about college football, having achieved excellence in aspects of their lives," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "It is the NFF's duty to promote their accomplishments while encouraging future generations of gridiron standouts to aim high on and off the football field."
The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists for the Campbell Trophy on Oct. 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2009 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Campbell Trophy winner will be announced at the NFF's Annual Awards Dinner on December 8 at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. A total distribution of more than $275,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening.
Coach Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions improved to 4-1 overall, 1-1 in the Big Ten with a 35-17 win at Illinois last Saturday. Penn State hosts Eastern Illinois (4-1) for its final non-conference game on Saturday for a 12:00 p.m. ET game that will air on ESPN Classic, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.