WEST POINT, N.Y. (March 1, 2012) -- The postseason accolades continue to pile up for Army senior football player Andrew Rodriguez, who was named a semifinalist for the 82nd annual AAU Sullivan Award on March 1. Rodriguez is one of nine individuals in the running to capture the prestigious honor.
The only college football player to be named a semifinalist, Rodriguez is joined on the list by eight other standout amateur athletes.
Fans can cast a vote for their choice for the 2011 AAU Sullivan Award winner at http://aaunews.org/news/?p=6390. Voting ends on March 9.
Known as the "Oscar" of sports awards, and older than The Heisman Trophy, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.
Sullivan, a founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union is credited with developing the current concept of the playground and organized recreation of the present day. Accordingly, he and others opened the first public playground and gymnasium in New York City in 1906.
Last December, Rodriguez became the first Army player to be honored with the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's top football scholar-athlete.
Rodriguez, chosen as one of the Black Knights' three captains by his teammates, returned to the field this past fall after missing all of 2010 with a back injury. He started 11 of the Black Knights' 12 games, and ranked fifth on the team with 59 tackles. Rodriguez accounted for a team-leading three takeaways, intercepting a pass and recovering two fumbles.
The Alexandria, Va., native was the Black Knights' leading tackler in 2009. For his career, he racked up 144 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 24 games.
In the classroom, Rodriguez boasts a 4.14 grade-point average. He was a 2009 and 2011 CoSIDA Academic All-District I selection, and earned first-team Academic All-America accolades this past fall. Rodriguez has been on the West Point dean's list six times. He is ranked third in West Point's Class of 2012.
Recent winners of the AAU Sullivan Award include Rulan Gardner (wrestling) in 2000, Michelle Kwan (figure skating) in 2001, Sarah Hughes (figure skating) in 2002, Michael Phelps (swimming) in 2003, Paul Hamm (gymnastics) in 2004, J.J. Redick (men's basketball) in 2005, Jessica Long (paralympic women's swimming) in 2006, Tim Tebow (football) in 2007, Shawn Johnson (gymnastics) in 2008, Amy Palmiero-Winters (running-ultra marathon) in 2009 and Evan Lysacek (swimming) in 2010.
Former Army football greats Felix "Doc" Blanchard and Young Arnold Tucker garnered the award in consecutive years, claiming the honor in 1945 and 1946, respectively. They rank as the only two West Pointers to capture the honor. Former Black Knight baseball standout Clint Moore (USMA '11) was named a finalist for the award in 2009.
A complete listing of semifinalists for the 82nd annual AAU Sullivan Award is listed below:
Betsey Armstrong, Water Polo
David Boudia, Diving
Jillian Camarena-Williams, Shot Put
Kaliya Johnson, Ice Hockey
Alex Jupiter, Volleyball
Jason Read, Rowing
Katherine Reutter, Speed Skating
Andrew Rodriguez, FOOTBALL
Jordyn Wieber, Gymnastics
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