|
| Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com |
In 2013, Kevin Burke became the first junior to win the Gagliardi Trophy. This year, he's the first person to do it twice.
Burke, the senior quarterback for Mount Union, was surprised when his grandmother showed up in Salem, Va., to support him at the ceremony. But it was much less of a surprise when his name was announced as the 2014 Gagliardi Trophy winner.
He beat out fellow finalists Michael Bates, Illinois College quarterback; Joe Callahan, Wesley quarterback; and Dylan Jones, Willamette running back.
Burke is one of a record six Purple Raiders who have won the award seven times. Quarterback Jim Ballard won the inaugural award in 1993, fellow quarterback Bill Borchert in 1997, running backs Chuck Moore and Dan Pugh won the award in 2001 and 2002, quarterback Greg Micheli won the award in 2008 then Burke in 2013.
The all-time winners:
2014 - Kevin Burke, QB, Mount Union
2013 - Kevin Burke, QB, Mount Union
2012 - Scottie Williams, RB, Elmhurst
2011 - Michael Zweifel, WR, Dubuque
2010 - Eric Watt, QB, Trine
2009 - Blaine Westemeyer, OL, Augustana
2008 - Greg Micheli, QB, Mount Union
2007 - Justin Beaver, RB, UW-Whitewater
2006 - Josh Brehm, QB, Alma
2005 - Brett Elliott, QB, Linfield
2004 - Rocky Myers, SS, Wesley
2003 - Blake Elliott, WR, St. John's
2002 - Dan Pugh, RB, Mount Union
2001 - Chuck Moore, RB, Mount Union
2000 - Chad Johnson, QB, Pacific Lutheran
1999 - Danny Ragsdale, QB, Redlands
1998 - Scott Hvistendahl, WR/P, Augsburg
1997 - Bill Borchert, QB, Mount Union
1996 - Lon Erickson, QB, Illinois Wesleyan
1995 - Chris Palmer, WR, St. John's
1994 - Carey Bender, RB, Coe
1993 - Jim Ballard, QB, Mount Union