TOWSON, Md. – Towson University football guard
Aaron Grzymkowski has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy®, announced by the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame.
The Campbell Trophy, in its 31
st year, recognizes a student-athlete for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. All players were nominated by their schools and needed the following criteria: be a senior or graduate student, have a GPA of at least 3.2, have outstanding football ability and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
On the field, Grzymkowski is Towson's starting left guard, earning Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) recognition in each 2018 and 2019. He has helped block for a Towson offense that averaged over 30 points a game in each of the past two years.
In the classroom, Grzymkowski earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice with a 3.671 GPA and currently is enrolled in graduate school, holding a 4.000 GPA in applied information technology. He was a member of the CAA Football Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Grzymkowski is the first semifinalist from Towson since Jake Ryder in 2016.
199 players across the country and across all divisions were selected as semifinalists for this year's award. Grzymkowski is one of the 45 Football Championship Division (FCS) finalists.
The NFF will announce 12-to-14 finalists in November. All finalists will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The winner of the 202 William V. Campbell Trophy® will have his scholarship increased to $25,000. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee.
"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 in the organization's press release. "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."
