MIKE KLOBUCHER SEMIFINALIST FOR PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMIC HONOR

Ferris State Defensive Standout Selected A 2006 Draddy Trophy Semifinalist

Senior middle linebacker Mike Klobucher (Grand Haven/North Muskegon) of the Ferris State University football team has been named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's (NFF) 2006 Draddy Trophy.

Klobucher is among 148 semifinalists for the Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and a candidate for the NFF 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Award. The 2006 Ferris State defensive co-captain is joined by seven other student-athletes in Division II, including senior safety Ryan Oshnock of fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member Wayne State University.

One of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, the Draddy Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a a first-team player, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who founded the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.

With a 3.51 average GPA and majors such as biochemistry and zoology, the group includes 70 players who have earned all-conference recognition on the field and 94 captains. The offensive line produced the most nominees with 44. Defensive backs came in second with 24 candidates. Offense outscored the defense with 79 to 61 hopefuls. Eight special teams aspirants completed the contingent. Nominees hail from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, including a record 64 contenders from Division I-A.

THE NFF Awards Committee, comprised of former coaches, Hall of Famers and college administrators, will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Thursday, Oct. 26. The winner, also selected by the committee, will be announced at the 49th NFF Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Each finalist will also be recognized that night as part of the 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship.

Launched in 1959, the NFF Scholar-Athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments.

Klobucher was the 2005 football team's recipient of the FSU President's Academic Award for having the highest team GPA after being a co-winner of the honor the previous two seasons (2003-04). The two-time (2004-05) GLIAC All-Academic Team member was named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic District IV First Team as selected by the College Sports Information Director of America (CoSIDA). Klobucher is also active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) while serving as a volunteer for the Guiding Light Mission and the Muskegon (Mich.) Rescue Mission.

On the field, the two-time (2004-05) All-GLIAC Honorable Mention selection was named both Ferris State's Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Defensive Skill Player in 2005 after leading the Bulldogs in tackles for the second consecutive season with 109 tackles in 10 contests. As a sophomore in 2004, Klobucher compiled a team-leading 134 tackles (18th highest in school history) in 11 games en route to receiving a share of the FSU Coaches Award.

Klobucher presently ranks 10th on Ferris State's all-time tackles leaders list with 352 career stops (184 solos) in 38 outings, which includes 19.5 tackles for a loss of 57 yards to along with two pass interceptions, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He has a squad second-place tying 55 tackles (25 solos) in six encounters to date this fall.