Brehm Named Gagliardi Trophy Regional Finalist
ALMA, Mich. -- Josh Brehm of Ithaca, Mich., is a regional finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, Saint John's University's J-Club announced today. A senior, Brehm has set records in every statistical category at Alma College and has managed to maintain high academic standards throughout his four years with the Scots. Division III's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy, the Gagliardi Trophy is awarded to the top Division III player in the nation.The Gagliardi Trophy is named for Saint John's University head football coach John Gagliardi, the first active head coach to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2006) and the winningest coach in college football history with 443 career victories in 58 seasons following the 2006 season. Gagliardi set the all-time win record on Nov. 8, 2003.
Brehm most recently went 20-for-28 with 240 yards passing, including a touchdown at the East Coast Bowl. In addition, he was named a second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American by CoSIDA. He ended the season leading Division III in three statistical categories -- total offense, passing yards and passing yards per game.
The Gagliardi Trophy winner will be announced December 12 and presented December 14 in conjunction with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the Division III national championship game.
The Gagliardi Trophy recipient is determined by a 31-member national selection committee, which includes college coaches, former athletes, college administrators, business leaders and members of the media.
The trophy features a sculpture of SJU football coach John Gagliardi and a player in a classic one-on-one sideline consultation. The sculptures are hand cast in bronze and mounted on a polished wood base. The trophy stands nearly two-feet tall and weighs 64 pounds. The three other finalists include running back Tom Arcidiacono of Union College (N.Y.), defensive lineman Ryan Kleppe of UW-Whitewater and quarterback Jordan Neal of Hardin-Simmons (Texas).
Posted: Tue, December 5th, 2006 at 5:51PM
