ASU linebacker named semi-finalist for 2009 Campbell Trophy

Arizona State University senior linebacker Mike Nixon has been named a semifinalist for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy, college footballs premier scholar-athlete award, according to the National Football Foundation (NFF). Nixon (Phoenix, Ariz.), a political science major at ASU, has started all three games this season and has 17 tackles. In the season opener against Idaho State, Nixon intercepted three passes, returning one for a touchdown, and blocked a punt, earning Pacific-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week and Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week honors for his efforts. Semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy) 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 in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFFs Gold Medal, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship. The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on October 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2009 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Campbell Trophy winner, who will have his scholarship increased to $25,000, will be announced live at the NFFs Annual Awards Dinner on December 8.