Bowling Green State University Athletics
Ward Named To Thorpe Award Watch List
July 11, 2014 | Football
The Jim Thorpe Award 2014 watch list announced today includes 39 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing ten conferences. Among those recognized are Bowling Green State University redshirt senior, Ryland Ward.
Ward started all 14 games at free safety in 2013, finishing second on the team with 81 tackles. The ball-hawking safety finished tied for the team lead in interceptions, and recorded five-plus tackles in nine games. In the Mid-American Conference Championship Game against undefeated Northern Illinois, Ward came up biggest with a season-high 11 tackles. Ward has started all 39 games during his career.
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 30-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 11, 2014 on ESPN.Â
The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 in Oklahoma City, OK.
The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 21 awards boast 699 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
Ward started all 14 games at free safety in 2013, finishing second on the team with 81 tackles. The ball-hawking safety finished tied for the team lead in interceptions, and recorded five-plus tackles in nine games. In the Mid-American Conference Championship Game against undefeated Northern Illinois, Ward came up biggest with a season-high 11 tackles. Ward has started all 39 games during his career.
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 30-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 11, 2014 on ESPN.Â
The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 in Oklahoma City, OK.
The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 21 awards boast 699 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
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