SAU's Brad Cook Named to College Football's 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class

By Staci Schottman, NAIA Director of Media Relations and Client Services

OLATHE, Kan – Selected as the best and the brightest from the college gridiron, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced senior center Brad Cook of St. Ambrose University (Iowa) as one of the 17 members of the 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class, who will vie as the finalists for the Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth.

Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program is the first initiative in history to credit a football player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. This year’s scholarship recipients are:

Brad Cook, St. Ambrose University ( Iowa), C, Economics/Finance, Bettendorf, Iowa

P.J. Theisen, University of St. Thomas ( Minn.), WR, Accounting, Elko, Minn.
Aaron Lewis, Carnegie Mellon University ( Pa.), Business Administration, Englewood, Ohio
Ryan Meredith, Pittsburg State University ( Kan.), DE, Management, Pittsburg, Kan.
Michael Klobucher, Ferris State University ( Mich.), LB, Applied Biology, Grand Haven, Mich.
Kristian Smith, Alabama A&M University, OL, Telecommunications, Alpine, Calif.
Luke Palko, Saint Francis University ( Pa.), WR, Accounting, Imperial, Pa.
Ed McCarthy, Yale University ( Conn.), OL, History, Fairfield, Conn.
John Wendling, University of Wyoming, S, Business Administration, Rock Springs, Wyo.
Joe Thomas, University of Wisconsin, OT, Business, Brookfield, Wis.
Paul Posluszny, Penn State University, LB, Finance, Aliquippa, Pa.
Carl Pendleton, University of Oklahoma, DT, Sociology, Sapulpa, Okla.
Brian Leonard, Rutgers University (N.J.), FB, Labor & Employment Rels., Hailesboro, N.Y.
Chris Leak, University of Florida, QB, Sociology, Charlotte, N.C.
Jay Henry, West Virginia University, LB, Finance/Accounting, Tulsa, Okla.
Rhema Fuller, University of Connecticut, DT, Finance, Cocoa, Fla.
Brian Daniels, University of Colorado, OG, Finance, Superior, Colo.

With a 3.7 average GPA, 13 of the players have earned all conference recognition on the field and 15 of them have served as captains of their teams. Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

“We take great pride in providing each member of the scholar-athlete class with a coveted $18,000 scholarship for their post-graduate studies,” said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. “They have set the standard for their teammates and for all who play sports. By highlighting their achievements, we hope to inspire future generations of student-athletes to higher levels of achievement in all aspects of their lives.”

Selected by the NFF Awards Committee, comprised of former coaches, Hall of Famers and college administrators, the 17 National Scholar-Athlete Award recipients will be honored at the 49th NFF Awards Dinner on December 5, 2006, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

“After thorough review of 148 outstanding candidates representing schools from all levels of collegiate play, the committee’s deliberations resulted in the selection of an exceptional class of 17 scholar-athletes,” said Robert E. Mulcahy III, chairman of the NFF Awards Committee and director of athletics at Rutgers University. “Knowing the importance and prestige of these awards, the committee takes the utmost care in making the selections, and I applaud them for their efforts.”

Each honoree will receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship, and one of the 17 will be announced as the recipient of the 2006 Draddy Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and increases the winner’s scholarship to a total of $25,000.

Cook, a recipient of the John H. McConnell National Scholar-Athlete Award, is the anchor of the St. Ambrose University offensive line. A senior from Bettendorf, Iowa, Cook epitomizes excellence both on the athletic field and in the classroom, earning the distinction as the first National Scholar Athlete in his school’s history.

“Brad is a four year starter on the offensive line and holds everything I would ever want in a player. Brad is a committed student, person and athlete and is leader in practice, the classroom and in the community,” said St. Ambrose University Head Football Coach Todd Sturdy. “I am extremely proud of Brad and this great honor. He is the kind of guy they are looking for and has shown excellence in academics and citizenship. This is a great honor for Brad, St. Ambrose University and the NAIA.”

A 2005 NAIA Academic All-America selection, Cook has twice earned First Team Academic All-Conference honors and is a member of the Alpha Chi and Delta Mu Delta National Honor Societies. An Economics and Finance major, he is a perennial member of the St. Ambrose Dean’s List.

A 2005 Second Team All-Conference performer, Cook has started every game of his collegiate career and has twice been named Offensive Lineman MVP by his team. Anchoring an offensive line that has only allowed two sacks the entire season, he is an undeniable leader of the undefeated Fighting Bees.

A two-time team captain, Cook’s leadership extends beyond the football field as a volunteer in the university’s spring clean-up project, school book drive and at the John Lewis Food Shelter serving meals. A leader in the Christmas Gift Giving Program, he contributes as a member of the Unity Council and numerous leadership seminars.

To learn more about St. Ambrose University visit www.sau.edu To learn more about the entire 2006 National Scholar Athlete Class visit http://www.footballfoundation.org/.