FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Western Michigan redshirt senior offensive guard
Mike Caliendo is one of nine semifinalists for the Wuerffel Trophy, according to an announcement by the organization on Monday.
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.
Last fall, Bronco quarterback
Jon Wassink was presented with the Wuerffel Trophy. Wassink joined former WMU quarterback Tim Hiller (2009) as Wuerrfel Trophy winners. WMU and Oklahoma are the only schools with multiple recipients.
Caliendo has played and started every game this season for the Broncos on the offensive line and has helped guide the Broncos to a 4-1 record. Caliendo is an integral part of the WMU offensive line that has given up just seven sacks this season, ranking fourth best in the Mid-American Conference.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Brookfield, Wis., product has helped Western Michigan rank third in the MAC in scoring offense (44.6) and fifth in yards per game (477.4). Caliendo earlier this fall was also named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
Off the field, Caliendo was a first team CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 honoree in 2019. He is a three-time Academic All-MAC (2017-18-19) selection and three-time MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete (2017-18-19). Off campus, Caliendo has taken part in a variety of community service projects, including working with Ministry with Community, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and YWCA.
Caliendo graduated from Western Michigan in December of 2019 with a 3.90 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) and a degree in biomedical sciences. He owns a 4.00 GPA as a master's student in biomedical sciences and is applying to medical schools.
The three 2020 Wuerffel Trophy finalists are scheduled to be announced on Dec. 22 with the formal announcement of the 2020 recipient to be made the week of Dec. 26 – Jan. 2. The 2020 recipient will be featured on The Home Depot/ESPN College Football Awards Shot on Jan 7, 2021.
The presentation of the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy is scheduled to occur at the 52nd All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 20, 2021 in Niceville, Fla
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a national selection committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients.
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