Case's Maimone makes the final cut in Academic Heisman
October 27, 2005 | For more information: creg.jantz@case.edu 216-368-6517
Case Western Reserve University senior football player Santo Maimone's (Eastlake, OH) is getting closer in his quest to be selected as the best of the brightest from the college gridiron (All Divisions).
Today, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) named Maimone one
of 16 finalists for the Draddy Trophy, known in many circles as the "Academic" Heisman.
The NFF started off with a pool of 184 student-athletes from around the country.
"It's probably one of the most prestigious awards any Case athlete has ever been up for," said Head Football Coach Greg Debeljak. "I think that Santo really is a great example of the balance between academics and athletics that Division III is all about."
With his selection as a finalist, Maimone automatically becomes a member of the 2005 National Scholar-Athlete Class. He also gets an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship and a trip to New York City on December 6 where he will be honored at the 48th NFF Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria.
The local Eastlake North High School product has a double major in chemistry and anthropology at Case, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. He is also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society.
"Our football program, the Department of Athletics and the entire university community are tremendously proud of Santo's selection as a finalist for this honor," said Athletic Director Dave Diles. "Santo's academic and athletic achievements are well documented and exceptional, but his selfless dedication to others through his volunteer work and community involvement also distinguish him as a model student-athlete."
Maimone, who is currently interviewing with various medical schools around the country, is also involved in the local community as a DARE Role Model, a donation organizer for the "Give Kids the World" charity and a volunteer for the Childtime Daycare Center at Lake West Hospital.
"Throughout my 20 years in collegiate athletics, I have not encountered a more deserving candidate for this award," Diles added.
A two-year team captain, Maimone earned First Team All-University Athletic Association recognition as a cornerback and Second Team honors as a kick returner in 2004. In his career, he has recorded 125.5 tackles and 12 interceptions.
"It really hasn't sunk in yet," explained Maimone. "Maybe it will when I start arranging my travel to New York City. It was a pretty good week last week. I was accepted to Case's medical school, and the day before I found out about this."
WHO'S YOUR DRADDY . The award was established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands. The award comes with a stunning 24-inch 25-pound bronze trophy and an increase in the recipient's scholarship to a total of $25,000.
GOOD COMPANY . Past winners of the award include Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997), Chad Pennington (Marshall, 1999), and Craig Krenzel (Ohio State, 2003) along with Brandon Roberts in 2002 from fellow University Athletic Association school Washington University (MO).
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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