Independent file photo SMSU’s Trey Sachs (26) carries the ball during their game against MSU Mankato on Sept. 7, 2019.

IRVING, Texas — The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) recently announced that Southwest Minnesota State University senior running back Trey Sachs has been named to the semifinal list for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Mazda.

Sachs was one of an all-time record 199 semifinalists named to the prestigious award list which recognizes the top football scholar athlete in the nation. He is one of just 20 NCAA Division II student-athletes named to the semifinal list.

Celebrating its 31st year, the award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The NFF will announce 12-to-14 finalists in November, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. Later this year, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 31st Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda, having his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000 and receiving his own 25-pound-bronze version of the iconic statue.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing 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. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

Sachs, a native of Elkhorn, Neb., and a member of the SMSU Student Athlete Advisory Committee, played in all 11 games in 2019, rushing for 171 yards and four scores on 69 carries. Sachs carries a 3.86 GPA as an exercise science major with an allied health emphasis. He is a cofounder and President of Pre-Health Professionals Society at SMSU; is the team liaison for Team Impact and a tutor for Biomechanics. He was a NSIC Strategic Planning Committee student-athlete representative and has an extensive volunteering resume.

“This is terrific news. To set a record for the number of Campbell nominees is extra special during the pandemic because it shows how the stature of the award continues to rise even during these challenging times,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “We have worked hard to expand the profile of the award, and it’s extremely gratifying to have so many schools participate this year with nominations. We believe it sends an important message to the younger student-athletes that you truly can do it all, succeeding on the field, in the classroom and as leaders in the community.”

Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate their 62nd year in 2020. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player’s academic and athletic accomplishments, and the NFF has recognized 866 outstanding individuals since the program’s inception. This year’s postgraduate scholarships will push the program’s all-time distribution to more than $11.9 million. The trophy was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program’s prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and seven first-round NFL draft picks.

Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the venue.

“It is wonderful to see a record number of semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy® during such a turbulent year, proving the Future for Football is bright,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “We are extremely proud to highlight each semifinalist’s achievements, showcasing their ability to balance academics and athletics at the highest level. The NFF Awards Committee will have an incredibly difficult task in selecting the finalists from this outstanding group of candidates.”

2020 William

V. Campbell

Trophy® Presented by MAZDA

Semifinalists notes

• 31st year of the William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda

• 62nd year of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments

• 199 Nominations

• 3.67 Average GPA

• 9 Nominees with a perfect 4.0 GPA

• 59 Nominees with a 3.8 GPA or better

• 72 Nominees with a 3.7 GPA or Better

• 18 Academic All-America Selections

• 94 Captains

• 110 All-Conference Picks

• 18 All-Americans

• 85 Nominees from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)

• 45 Nominees from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)

• 20 Nominees from NCAA Division II

• 40 Nominees from NCAA Division III

• 9 Nominees from the NAIA

• 107 Offensive Players

• 72 Defensive Players

• 20 Special Teams Players

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications