The Campbell Trophy is one of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. The award comes with a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. A total of $300,000 was awarded to Acho and the other 15 Campbell Trophy finalists, who each claimed $18,000 scholarships for their post-graduate educations.
"We are proud to honor Sam as the nation's top scholar-athlete," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "Highlighted by an endless list of accolades, he has proven himself as a team leader on the field who is just as successful in the classroom. In the community, Sam's exemplary record of giving back places him among the most selfless college athletes in the country. The Acho family, the University of Texas and, of course, Sam are to be congratulated on this singular achievement."
A three-time Academic All-Big 12 performer, Acho has been twice named a First Team Academic All-American by ESPN The Magazine and has been a member of the UT's Athletics Directors Honor Roll six times. Named one of The Sporting News' "20 Smartest Athletes" and a two-time Arthur Ashe Sports Scholarship Award winner, Acho was inducted into UT's Friar Society, the university's oldest honor society. Landing a prestigious internship with Target in 2009, Acho earned acclaim when one of his marketing ideas was advanced to the CEO.
On the field, the Dallas native was recently named a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and ranks fourth on the team with 59 total tackles this season, while leading the Longhorns in sacks (9), tackles for loss (17), quarterback pressures (17), forced fumbles (5) and fumble recoveries (4). As a junior, Acho led the Big 12 champions with 10 sacks, four fumble recoveries and ranked third on the team with 14 tackles for loss. In 2008, Acho helped Texas to a 12-1 finish and a No. 4 national ranking en route to earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 laurels. Acho ranks among the nation's top 10 active players with 21 career sacks and boasts 148 career tackles, 37 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.
Acho, who was recently named the winner of the 2010 ARA Sportsmanship Award, was named to the AFCA Good Works Team earlier this year and is a veteran of numerous medical mission trips to Nigeria. He helped organize fundraisers for the trips the last two years, assisting approximately 40 doctors in giving treatment for Nigerians who often only have access to a doctor once a year. He represented UT at the 2009 NCAA Leadership Conference, the Big 12 Conference on black student government and the NCAA Football Issues Committee. Acho has also found time to mentor elementary school students, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and the Children's Courtyard program, and participate in numerous visits to the Dell Children's Medical Center, the Rise School and the Arc of the Capital.
Acho joins former Campbell Trophy winner Dallas Griffin (2007) and eight others as the 10th NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Texas.
Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The centerpiece to the NFF's scholar-athlete program, which has awarded $9.5 million to 740 top athletes, the Campbell Trophy, first awarded in 1990, was renamed last fall in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal.
"Sam Acho and the 2010 National Scholar-Athlete Class represents all that is right about college football," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell winner) and Eli were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "They have balanced practice with difficult majors like mechanical engineering and biology. They've also taken their passion for helping others beyond their local communities, taking medical and mission trips overseas to help those less fortunate than themselves. They are prime role models for future generations of young men in this country."
Candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The 2010 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients and Campbell Trophy Finalists includes:
- Sam Acho - DE, University of Texas
- Anthony Castonzo - OT, Boston College
- Ben Chappell - QB, Indiana University
- Alex Gross - LB, Columbia University
- Owen Marecic - FB/LB, Stanford University
- Greg McElroy - QB, University of Alabama
- Mike Mohamed - LB, University of California
- Travis Nissley - LB, Bucknell University
- Isaac Odim - RB, University of Minnesota Duluth
- Christian Ponder - QB, Florida State University
- Derek Sherrod - OT, Mississippi State University
- Nate Solder - OT, University of Colorado
- Chris Stewart - OG, University of Notre Dame
- Scott Tolzien - QB, University of Wisconsin
- Ben Wartman - HB, University of Saint Thomas (Minn.)
- Stefen Wisniewski - OG, Pennsylvania State University
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