Courtesy UMHB Sports Information

BELTON, Texas -- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor quarterback Cody Fredenburg has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2003 Gagliardi Trophy, an award presented annually to the nation's most outstanding Division III football player. Fredenburg is the first Crusader to be named a finalist for the prestigious award.

The Gagliardi Trophy honors excellence in athletics, academics and community service and is named for St. John's (Minn.) University head coach John Gagliardi. Gagliardi is the winningest coach in college football history with 410 victories in 55 seasons.

"It is an honor to be up for this kind of award and to be named a finalist," Fredenburg said. "Knowing how many great players are out there and to get this kind of recognition is really rewarding."

Fredenburg is a four-year starter at quarterback for the Crusaders and he led the UMHB football team to 36-3 regular season and 36-5 overall records in his four seasons. Fredenburg threw for 1,535 yards and 14 touchdowns in the 2003 season and also ran for 525 yards and four more scores. He led the American Southwest Conference in pass efficiency and currently ranks seventh in the nation in that category. Fredenburg was named ASC Offensive Player of the Year and earned All-Conference First Team honors.

Fredenburg is also an ASC All-Academic selection as an exercise and sports science major. He has served as a volunteer coach at the UMHB football camp, volunteered as a mentor as Belton Intermediate School, participated in the Crusaders adopt-a-family Christmas program and has also volunteered with pediatric cancer patients at Scott and White Hospital as part of the "Cru's Crew" program. Fredenburg also helped organize a benefit car wash after a teammate's house burned down.

"It is uncommon for someone to perform as well as Cody has academically and athletically," UMHB President Jerry G. Bawcom said. "For him to start all four years and lead us to the number of victories he has is just incredible. He is certainly deserving of this kind of recognition."

Fredenburg closes out his career with three ASC All-Academic citations, three All-Conference awards and selection as the 2000 ASC Offensive Freshman of the Year. Over his collegiate career, Fredenburg totaled 5,032 passing and 1,822 rushing yards, and scored 60 touchdowns (40 passing, 20 rush). He helped lead the Crusaders to the ASC championship in 2002 and a share of the 2003 conference title. UMHB made NCAA Division III Championship appearances in 2001 and 2002.

The 2003 Gagliardi Trophy will be presented December 22 at the Radisson Hotel in Bloomington, Minn. The award program is sponsored by Josten's Inc. and is conducted by the J-Club of St. John's University. This is 11th year the Gagliardi Trophy will be presented to the nation's top Division III football player.

The other finalists for the 2003 award are: Susquehanna WR Mark Bartosic; Simpson QB-P Mike Donnenwerth; St. John's WR-KR Blake Elliott; St. John Fisher DE Brad Keem; Wisconsin-Stevens Point QB Scott Krause; Bethel SS Sam Lacy; Linfield QB Tyler Matthews; Wesley SS Rocky Myers; and Hampden-Sydney WR Conrad Singh. The Gagliardi Trophy winner is determined by a 30-member national selection committee which includes college coaches, former athletes, college administrators, business leaders and members of the media.