Football | November 05, 2019

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Western Michigan senior quarterback Jon Wassink is one of nine semifinalists for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented by the Chick-fil-A® Foundation, according to an announcement by the organization Tuesday.
 
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as college football's premier award for community service, is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy has honored over 1,200 nominees since its inception in 2005.
 
A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Wassink was named one of 12 recipients of the 2019 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by Fidelity Investments, last week. The honor makes him a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda.
 
On the field this fall, Wassink has completed 169 of 280 passes for 2,273 yards and 16 touchdowns against seven interceptions. In the latest NCAA rankings, Wassink stands 20th in total passing yards, 24th in passing yards per game (252.6), 29th in yards per completion (13.5), 30th in passing touchdowns, 32nd in total offensive yards per game (265.8) and 36th in passing yards per attempt (8.1).
 
A two-time Academic All-Mid-American Conference Football Team honoree and two-time MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, Wassink was also named the Western Michigan Football John Gill Scholar-Athlete in 2017. He has been named to the Western Michigan University Dean's List every semester on campus, achieving at least a 3.50 grade-point average on a scale of 4.00 each semester.
 
Wassink graduated from Western Michigan in December with a degree in accountancy and is pursuing a master's degree in accountancy. He completed his undergraduate degree with a 3.95 grade-point average.
 
Off the field, Wassink is part of the Bronco Buddies program at the Tree of Life, a school that provides a Christ-centered education to all children regardless of socioeconomic status. He has been a four-year member of the program, taking part in its once-a-month activities on Sundays. Events include trips to go swimming, bowling or visit the zoo. During the spring of 2016, Wassink traveled to the Dominican Republic and helped build a basketball court for a village of 100 people. He also helped repair fences for a community bridge used by villagers daily and gained perspective and purpose through his work.
 
"Once again this year demonstrates how many first-class young men are out there doing tremendous work in their communities," Wuerffel said. "It was an extremely difficult job that we had narrowing the list down to only nine semifinalists.  These men represent the best of the best."
 
Former Bronco quarterbacks Tim Hiller (2008 & 2009) and Zach Terrell (2016) were advanced beyond initial nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy, and Hiller received the award in 2009. Prior to 2015, Wuerffel Trophy finalists were selected directly from initial nominees. Western Michigan leads the Mid-American Conference with its four nominations that advanced beyond the initial stage.
 
This year, Wassink joins Rodrigo Blankenship of Georgia as NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award recipients and Wuerffel Trophy semifinalists. WMU is the only program in the country to have three student-athletes advance beyond initial nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy and receive NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards in the same season.
 
Wuerffel Trophy winners are chosen by a national selection committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients.  
 
Finalists will be announced November 18 and the 2019 Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be named December 10 at the National Football Foundation's festivities in New York City.
 
The 2019 Wuerffel Trophy winner will be invited to attend "The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show" on ESPNU and ESPN3 on December 12, featuring interviews with award winners and finalists as they approach "The Home Depot College Football Awards Show," the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience in downtown Atlanta.
 
The 2019 Wuerffel Trophy will be presented at the 51st Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 7 in Fort Walton Beach.
 
The 2019 Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists
Rodrigo Blankenship, University of Georgia, senior, kicker
Derrick Brown, Auburn University, senior, defensive line
Sam Ehlinger, University of Texas, junior, quarterback
Blake Ferguson, Louisiana State University, senior, long snapper
Braden Mann, Texas A&M University, senior, punter
Koby Quansah, Duke University, senior, linebacker
Teton Saltes, University of New Mexico, junior, offensive line
Isaiah Sanders, United States Air Force Academy, senior, quarterback
Jon Wassink, Western Michigan University, senior, quarterback
 
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