From WMU:
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Western Michigan senior quarterback Jon Wassink has been named the recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy, presented by the Chick-fil-A® Foundation, according to an announcement by the organization Tuesday.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as college football’s premier award for community service, is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy has honored over 1,200 nominees since its inception in 2005.
Wassink, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., joins Tim Hiller (2009) as Western Michigan recipients of the Wuerffel Trophy. WMU joins Oklahoma as the only two programs in the country to have multiple winners. The Broncos are also the only Mid-American Conference program to have a Wuerffel Trophy recipient.
Wassink has received numerous accolades this fall, including being named one of 12 National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athletes, presented by Fidelity Investments. The honor makes him a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda. Wassink has also been tabbed one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award and has received a Mid-American Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Week award.
On the field this fall, Wassink has completed 222 of 371 passes for 2,904 yards and 19 touchdowns against seven interceptions. In the latest NCAA rankings, Wassink stands 28th in total passing yards, 33rd in yards per completion (13.1) and total offensive yards per game (266.4) and 39th in passing yards per game (242.0).
A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District choice, Academic All-Mid-American Conference Football Team honoree and MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, Wassink was also named the Western Michigan Football John Gill Scholar-Athlete in 2017. He has been named to the Western Michigan University Dean’s List every semester on campus, achieving at least a 3.50 grade-point average on a scale of 4.00 each semester.
Wassink graduated from Western Michigan in December of 2018 with a degree in accountancy and is pursuing a master’s degree in accountancy. He completed his undergraduate degree with a 3.95 grade-point average.
Off the field, Wassink is part of the Bronco Buddies program at the Tree of Life, a school that provides a Christ-centered education to all children regardless of socioeconomic status. He has been a four-year member of the program, taking part in its once-a-month activities on Sundays. Events include trips to go swimming, bowling or visit the zoo. During the spring of 2016, Wassink traveled to the Dominican Republic and helped build a basketball court for a village of 100 people. He also helped repair fences for a community bridge used by villagers daily and gained perspective and purpose through his work.
“We are excited to announce that Jon is this year’s recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy and are thrilled about him joining our family of past winners,” said Wuerffel. “What he has done serving others off the field, along with his work in the classroom and on the playing field, represents what the Wuerffel Trophy is all about. Also, I’d like to say the same about our other two finalists, Isaiah Sanders of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Derrick Brown of Auburn University. The amount of community service that these young men have done is just incredible. Hats off to these amazing student athletes.”
Wuerffel Trophy winners are chosen by a national selection committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients.
Wassink will attend Thursday’s “The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show” on ESPNU and ESPN3 and be interviewed with other award winners and finalists as they approach “The Home Depot College Football Awards Show,” the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience in downtown Atlanta.
The 2019 Wuerffel Trophy will be presented at the 51st Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 7 in Fort Walton Beach.
