Sept. 27, 2012
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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF defensive back Lyle Dankenbring continues to impress inside the classroom as he was named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's (NFF) William V. Campbell Trophy on Thursday, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation.
The redshirt senior is the lone Conference USA representative on the prestigious list.
"This year's candidates truly embody the National Football Foundation's mission of building leaders through football," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (1997 Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "They are standouts in the classroom and on the field and have become leaders in their respective communities. Each school should take great pride in being represented by such well-rounded young men who will undoubtedly go on to do great things in life."
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 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.
The NFF Awards Committee will select up to 16 recipients, and the results will be announced via a national press release on Thursday, Oct. 25. Each recipient will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, and they will vie as finalists for the 2012 William V. Campbell Trophy. Each member of the 2012 National Scholar-Athlete Class will also travel to New York City to be honored Dec. 4 during the 55th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf=Astoria where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. One member of the class will also be announced live at the event as the winner of the Campbell Trophy.
Dankenbring's credentials go above and beyond the set requirements for the award by the NFF. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science in the spring of 2011, the Palm City, Fla., native has registered four-straight 4.0 semesters while working on his master's degree in social science education. The outstanding work in the classroom also earned him a C-USA Academic Medal for having a GPA over 3.75.
On the field, Dankenbring has consistently aided the Knights out of the defensive backfield. He owns 48 career tackles and two interceptions, including one against Akron in the 2012 season opener that assisted the Knights in a 56-14 triumph over the Zips.