IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa senior defensive end Parker Hesse has been named a semifinalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, announced by the National Football Foundation on Wednesday.
The award, which was added to the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards in 1990, recognizes a student-athlete as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance, and exemplary community leadership. With 179 semifinalists from all levels of play in the NCAA and NAIA, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a 3.2 GPA, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten and second-team CoSIDA Academic All-American selection a year ago, Hesse (6-foot-3, 261-pounds) recorded a season-high seven tackles against No. 18/16 Wisconsin. In four games this season, Hesse has two sacks and 17 tackles with four solo stops and 13 assists.
The Waukon, Iowa, native, was selected to Iowa’s 2018 Leadership Group and was honored as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar over the summer. Hesse earned his undergraduate degree in interdepartmental health studies in May, 2017, and is on track to complete his master’s degree in sport and recreation management next spring.
Outside of academics and athletics, Hesse’s community service includes visits to the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the local VA Hospital, participation in Play 2B Fit, Salvation Army, UI Dance Marathon, Hawkeye Pride Program, Hawkeye Readers Program, and the annual team football Blood Drive. He also volunteers at the Children’s Museum, Crisis Center Pancake Breakfast, and the Ladies Football Academy.
Named in honor of the late William V. Campbell, a former player and head coach at Columbia University, the William V. Campbell Trophy award has become one of the most prestigious and desirable academic awards in college football.
The NFF will announce 12 to 14 finalists on Oct. 31, and each will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 60th NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The winner of the award will be named during the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 4 in New York City, and the postgraduate scholarship will be increased to $25,000.
Hesse and the Hawkeyes have a bye this Saturday, before facing Minnesota on Oct. 6 at 2:30 p.m. on BTN for their first road game of the season in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.
