Bowling Green State University Athletics
Harris A Candidate For Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
August 27, 2003 | Football
Aug. 27, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Twenty-six outstanding senior quarterbacks, including Bowling Green State University's Josh Harris, have been selected as candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior collegiate quarterback by the Frank Camp Chapter of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation.
Included among the elite list of candidates for the award are: Tate Bennett (Weber State), Casey Clausen (Tennessee), Ryan Dinwiddie (Boise State), Jason Fife (Oregon), Ryan Flanagan (Cal-Davis), Adam Hall ( San Diego State), Josh Harris (Bowling Green), Robert Kent (Jackson State), Asad Abdul Khaliq (Minnesota), Craig Krenzel (Ohio State), Chris Lewis (Stanford), Jared Lorenzen (Kentucky), J.P. Losman (Tulane), Ell Manning (Mississippi), Scott McBrien (Maryland), Luke McKown (Louisiana Tech), Jon Navarre (Michigan), Cody Pickett (Washington), Scott Rislov (San Jose State), Philip Rivers (North Carolina State), Ell Robertson (Kansas State), Rod Rutherford (Pittsburgh), Matt Schaub ( Virginia), Ryan Schneider (Central Florida), Jim Sorgl (Wisconsin), and Bradlee Van Pelt (Colorado State). Additional candidates could be added at a later date if their performance dictates such inclusion.
The nation's top senior quarterback is selected for the award from a list compiled by a select committee of football experts from across the United State. The committee will choose five finalists plus any ties announce the list on Oct. 22.
The 2003 recipient will be announced Dec. 4, with the award presentation to be made in Louisville on December 12 at the Galt House East Hotel Grand Ballroom.
The organization is currently accepting ticket orders for the award dinner (502-485-3331). Tickets are $35 each or tables of eight for $280.
The prestigious award bears the name of who many refer to as the finest quarterback to ever play the game of football. Established in 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has previously honored 14 outstanding young men.
USC quarterback Carson Palmer won the award last year. Other past recipients include Don McPherson (Syracuse, 1987), Rodney Peete (USC, 1988), Tony Rice (Notre Dame, 1989), Craig Erickson (Miami, Fla., 1990), Casey Weldon (Florida St.,1991)Gino Torretta (Miami, Fla., 1992), Charlie Ward ( Florida St., 1993), Jay Barker ( Alabama, 1994), Tommie Frazier (Nebraska, 1995), Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1996), Payton Manning (Tennessee, 1997), Cade McNown (UCLA, 1998), Chris Redman (Louisville, 1999), Chris Weinke (Florida State, 2000), and David Carr (Fresno State, 2001).
In addition to honoring a player with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Frank Camp Chapter of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation has presented more than $475,000 in scholarships to deserving scholar athletes from area high schools. The organization was formerly associated with the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group, a leading provider of innovative business and personal financial services, is a major corporate sponsor for the award and organization as is Jillian's, a dining and entertainment megaplex established in 1988. Insight Communications, the eighth-largest cable operator in the United States serving Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, is an active sponsor and will televise the event.
The namesake of the award has a storied history which earned him the recognition of being the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL.
An 18-year veteran of the NFL, Unitas played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville (1951-54), passing for 3, 007 yards and 27 touchdowns. Unitas, who wore number 19 as a professional, had his No. 16 collegiate uniform retired at Louisville, the lone number retired by the Cardinals.
He began his 18-year pro career with the Baltimore Colts in 1956 and played there until joining the San Diego Chargers for his final season. His career passing figures are mind boggling. He completed 2,830 of 5,186 passes for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns during his 18-year NFL career. Among his many records is one that may stand forever, throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
Unitas was recently selected as the top quarterback of all-time by the Pro Football Hall of Fame 36-member selection committee. In commemorating the NFL's 25th, 50th, and 75th anniversaries, he was also honored as the greatest quarterback of all time. A Pro Bowl participant 10 times and a three-time Most Valuable Player honoree, Unitas was inducted in to the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1979. In turn of the century listings, Unitas as featured among Sports Illustrated's top ten athletes, Time's ten most influential athletes and in ESPN's series on the 50 greatest athletes of the century.
Additional information on the award or organization may be obtained form Frank Gitschier (phone:502-897-1599).
