Hopkins' Tomlin a Finalist for Gagliardi Trophy
COLLEGEVILLE, MN - Hewitt Tomlin (Jackson, TN/Trinity Christian), already among the most decorated football players in Johns Hopkins history, added yet another honor to his already impressive resume today as he has been named one of 10 finalists for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy. Tomlin is the first player from Johns Hopkins to be selected as a finalist for the award.
The Gagliardi Trophy is named after long-time Saint John's University (MN) head coach John Gagliardi, who is now in his 63rd season and ranks as the all-time winningest coach in college football history. The award is presented annually to the Division III Player of the Year and honors excellence in football, academics and community service.
Tomlin recently completed one of the great careers in Johns Hopkins, Centennial Conference and NCAA Division III history. He was named the 2011 Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was a First Team All-Centennial selection for the second consecutive year.
Directing an offense that ranked among the national leaders in scoring (39.8) and total offense (492.7), Tomlin was 225-of-334 for 2,683 yards with 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions on the year. His completion percentage (.674) this season is a school record, while his 24 TDs ties the school single-season record.
In addition to the numerous single-game and single-season records he holds, Tomlin also holds Johns Hopkins' career marks for total offense (10,677), passing yards (10,481), pass attempts (1,375), completions (851), touchdown passes (74), 200-yard passing games (31) and 300-yard passing games (12).
Perhaps most impressively, Tomlin's individual numbers were a key part of the overall team success the Blue Jays enjoyed during his career. In becoming the all-time winningest quarterback in school history with a 33-9 career record, he helped lead Johns Hopkins to three Centennial Conference titles, two trips to the NCAA Playoffs, two ECAC Bowl games and one ECAC Championship. His 33 all-time wins as JHU's starting quarterback are 14 more than any other quarterback in school history.
Johns Hopkins ended the 2011 season with a 10-1 record and a loss to St. John Fisher in the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Blue Jays completed a 10-0 regular season for the first time in school history and won a school record 15 straight games prior to the loss to the Cardinals.
Joining Tomlin as a finalist are seven other seniors, one junior and one graduate student. 2011 Gagliard Trophy Finalists:
Hewitt Tomlin (Johns Hopkins • Senior • QB)
Matt Blanchard (UW-Whitewater • Senior • QB)
Peter Bulandr (North Central (IL) • Senior • DT)
Alex Ferrara (Mount Union (OH) • Senior • S)
Chris Haupt (Widener (PA) • Junior • QB)
Dan Pitcher (Cortland (NY) • Graduate Student • QB)
Alex Tanney (Monmouth (IL) • Senior • QB)
Alex Thiry (St. Scholastica (MN) • Senior • QB)
Fritz Waldvogel (St. Thomas (MN) • Senior • WR/KR)
Michael Zweifel (Dubuque (IA) • Senior • WR)
Four individuals among the 10 finalists will be selected to travel to Salem, Virginia for the award ceremony on December 15. The ceremony is part of the festivities surrounding the NCAA Division III Championship game on December 17.
After screening the nominations, the J-Club Board of Directors narrowed the field to 10 finalists. The 35-member Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee reviews the credentials, ranks the candidates 1-10 and casts their votes. Fan balloting, which will be available on D3football.com, accounts for one collective ballot as well, for the fifth consecutive year. Fans may cast one ballot apiece and voting will take place after Thanksgiving and the announcement of the final four Gagliardi Trophy candidates will be made on December 6.
The trophy, which stands nearly two-feet tall and weighs 64 pounds, was designed and is sponsored by the J-Club (a group of alumni, letter-winners and fans of Saint Johns University) and Jostens. The award program is conducted by Jostens and the J-Club.
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