FORT WALTON, Fla. - The All Sports Association announced Tim Hiller as the recipient of the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy, dubbed as the "Humanitarian Heisman" on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Hiller was a finalist in 2008 as well, earning the award over 11 other finalists. The Wuerffel Trophy is in its fifth year of existence and was awarded to 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow a year ago.
"I am so humbled by this and am so grateful to Mr. Wuerffel and the entire All Sports Association for deciding that I am deserving of this award," commented Hiller after being notified via conference call. "I have so much respect for what Danny and this award stands for and I am honored to be in the company of the four previous winners."
"We're really encouraged and proud of you for everything you've done on the field, everything you've done in the classroom and, as in this case, as importantly if not more importantly, everything you've done to help other people," said Wuerffel, who starred at Fort Walton Beach High before leading Florida to the 1996 national title and earning the Heisman Trophy.
Hiller personifies the three criteria of the Wuerffel Trophy: Academics, Athletics and Community Service. He has carried a 4.0 GPA since the beginning of his academic career and completed his undergraduate degree in August of 2008. He is scheduled to earn his MBA this summer. On the field, Hiller rewrote the WMU record book, breaking the passing marks for yards, TDs, attempts, completions, total offense and total offensive plays in a career and season. Hiller owns the career mark for completion percentage and tied the mark for the most 300-yard passing games. He also owns the single-game marks for passing yards, completions, attempts and total offense at Western Michigan. He is one of only three Mid-American Conference QBs to throw for 95 over more TDs and one of four MAC signal callers to throw for 3,000 yards in three-straight campaigns.
In the community, Hiller is second to none. He founded the WMU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he tutors at an area high school in the areas of math and English and conducts faith-based speeches throughout the communities of Kalamazoo and Portage, Mich. This past spring he joined 23 other collegiate students in a faith-based mission to Trinidad where he counseled youth inmates, young adults with addictions and many other members of that community.
"We had the largest (nomination) class we've ever had," All Sports President Robert McEachern said, "and for (Hiller) to rise to the top of that elite group is exciting for him and it's great for us to be able to meet someone of that caliber (and honor him) for his hard work and all he's meant to his teams and his community."
Why the Wuerffel Trophy? The All Sports Association felt that there was a void in major college football awards. Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel put it best when he wrote, "The Wuerffel. The Humanitarian Heisman. It's about time. There's an award for the best quarterback, best running back, wide receiver, best linebacker, best center and even best kicker and punter. Why not one for the best human being?" To the ASA, Danny Wuerffel is the perfect person to have this award named after. He represents that which is good in the world, and truly dedicates his life to community service in the highest form. Danny embodies the three categories of the award: Academics, Athletics and Community Service.
Danny said of his feelings of the Wuerffel Trophy, "It will inspire other people to be community minded, to live for others, to sacrifice their own interests for the benefit of the community and other people." The All Sports Association is proud to present the Wuerffel Trophy, which we feel will one day become the premier college football award in America.
Hiller, who was named Second Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American and a member of the National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Team in November, will travel to Fort Walton, Fla., on Feb. 19, 2010 for the award ceremony.
WUERFFEL TROPHY WINNERS
2009 - Tim Hiller, Western Michigan
2008 - Tim Tebow, Florida
2007 - Paul Smith, Tulsa
2006 - Joel Penton, Ohio State
2005 - Rudy Niswanger, LSU
