University of Colorado Athletics
Joel Adams Nominated For Rudy Award
LAS VEGAS, NV? The University of Colorado nominated senior safety Joel Adams for the Second Annual College Football Rudy Award, it was announced today by The Rudy Foundation 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The award honors student-athletes who demonstrate exemplary character, courage, contribution and commitment as members of their collegiate football teams. These same traits were immortalized in the blockbuster film Rudy in 27 seconds and against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Ind., enabling Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger to carve his name into college football lore.
Every Division I Conference and 53 of its 120 football programs submitted nominations for the 2008 Award, nearly double the number of applications from the prior inaugural year in 2007.
Adams, is a young man who with a smile on his face grinds it out in the weight room, on the practice field and in the classroom. He always gives it his all and does so with a good attitude and intensity. Adams has been a four-year walk-on at Colorado, playing on scout teams and on special teams. He also was as a member of the school's 2006 National Championship Ski Team. Adams is also the only student-athlete in CU history to letter in both football and skiing.
Three finalists will be chosen by the Selection Committee and honored at a breakfast to be held in conjunction with the American Football Coaches Association Convention on January 12, 2009, at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. Rudy Ruettiger will personally present the awards.
Each finalist will be presented with a beautiful award and an academic scholarship, as well as have travel expenses paid to the event. An overall winner will be chosen and presented with the top scholarship and trophy.
“We established this award as a special way to honor and recognize college football players for the size of their hearts instead of the enormity of their stats,” said Rudy Ruettiger. “It is great to see such a huge increase in the number of nominations, as we continue to build the Rudy Award into one of the top collegiate honors. Our society looks to athletes as role models... and I cannot think of a better role model than one who demonstrates great character, courage, contribution and commitment.”
A full list of nominees is available at www.RudyAwards.com. Finalists will be announced on December 16. If a finalist presently is receiving a full scholarship, or graduates prior to the award presentation, the award will be made in the player’s name to the general scholarship fund of the college or university.