IRVING, Texas – UCF All-America long snapper Alex Ward has been named a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy®, which is college football's premier scholar-athlete award. The impressive list of candidates boasts an impressive 3.62 average GPA, with more than half of the semifinalists having already earned their bachelor's degrees.
Celebrating its 33rd year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Ward graduated in December 2021 with a degree in mechanical engineering and is currently pursuing a second degree in integrated business from the College of Business Administration. He was named to the Order of Pegasus last spring, earning the most prestigious honor for any UCF student. Ward also was a dean's list selection for the spring 2022 semester.
A fifth-year player from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Ward was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Preseason Watch List, which is presented annually to the top long snapper in college football. Ward was of three finalists for the award last season.
Ward earned third-team All-America honors in 2021 from Phil Steele and also was selected first-team all-American Athletic Conference by Steele. Ward is a preseason third-team All-America pick by Steele for 2022.
2022 WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY® SEMIFINALISTS NOTES
- 33rd year of the William V. Campbell Trophy®
- 64th year of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments
- 156 Semifinalists
- 3.62 Average GPA
- 93 Nominees who have already earned their bachelor's degrees
- 6 Nominees who have earned a master's degree
- 4 Nominees with a perfect 4.0 GPA
- 42 Nominees with a 3.8 GPA or better
- 60 Nominees with a 3.7 GPA or better
- 20 Academic All-America selections
- 97 Captains
- 23 All-Americans
- 81 All-Conference picks
The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 26, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2022 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 6, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports.
Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 33rd Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. Click here for more information on the Awards Dinner, including options to purchase tickets online, special travel rates to the event from Delta Air Lines and Bellagio and a concierge service provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; The William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award; and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Jostens, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the New York Athletic Club, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.
About The National College Football Awards Association
The William V. Campbell Trophy® is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.