Four finalists have been named for the 2009 Gagliardi Trophy, awarded annually to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. Sponsored by Jostens and the J-Club of Saint John's University, Minnesota, the Gagliardi Trophy recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. 

The four region finalists are: John Peters, Sr., Linebacker, Union; Blaine Westemeyer, Sr., Tackle, Augustana; Spud Dick, Sr., Quarterback, DePauw; and Alex Tanney, Jr., Quarterback, Monmouth.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 15 and the recipient will be presented with the trophy on Thursday evening, Dec. 17 at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Va., as part of the festivities surrounding the Stagg Bowl.

The winner of the Gagliardi Trophy is selected by a 35-member national selection committee comprised of coaches, sports writers, community leaders and former Division III student-athletes enshrined in the National Collegiate Football Hall of Fame.

In the third year of online voting, fans cast an electronic ballot that collectively will be added to the 35 votes of the national selection committee. In one of the closest tallies in the 17 years of the Gagliardi Trophy, nine of the ten finalists received at least one first-place vote with the tenth candidate receiving one second-place vote. Casting a ballot on www.d3football.com which counted as one collective vote, fans selected Spud Dick.

The trophy is named for Saint John's University head football coach John Gagliardi, the first active head coach to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the winningest coach in college football history with a record of 471-126-11 (.784).