FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. - The All Sports Association announced today the nominees for the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy.  The nominations received represented over 70 universities in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision, including University of South Florida safety Nate Allen.

"This year's Wuerffel Trophy nomination class is awesome!" commented All Sports Association President Robert McEachern.  "We received the most nominations ever and believe this shows the tremendous growth of the Wuerffel Trophy nationally. A large majority of the nation's colleges and universities, as well as every conference in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision is represented. The All Sports Association is extremely proud of all of these young men and their accomplishments."

A complete list of the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy nominees can be found at http://www.wuerffeltrophy.org/2009nominees.html

Named after former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player that best combines exemplary community service, with academic and athletic achievement. 

The 2009 Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be announced on November 11, 2009 and distributed to the award's National Selection Committee for voting.  Formal announcement of the winner will occur on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.  Presentation of the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy will be at the All Sports Association's 41st Annual Awards Dinner on February 19, 2010, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Past winners of the Wuerffel Trophy are: (2008) Tim Tebow, QB, Florida; (2007) Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa; (2006) Joel Penton, DL, Ohio State and (2005) Rudy Niswanger, OL, Louisiana State.