Bowling Green State University Athletics
Matt Naranjo Named Semifinalist For Campbell Trophy
October 01, 2020 | Football
Bowling Green, Ohio - BGSU senior punter Matt Naranjo has been named a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Mazda. The award recognizes one individual as the top football scholar-athlete in the nation for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
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Celebrating its 31st year, the Campbell Trophy semifinalist list will be cut to 12-14 finalists in November, with each of those finalists receiving an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments. One member will then be declared as the winner of the Campbell Trophy, having his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000 and receiving his own 25-pound bronze version of the iconic statue.
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In order to qualify, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, have outstanding football ability as a starter or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
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Naranjo returns to BGSU for his redshirt senior season in 2020. He is a two-time Academic All-MAC performer after transferring from New Mexico. In 2019, he played in all 12 games for the Falcons, averaging 40.4 yards per punt over 71 punts. He pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 24 times and had 14 punts of 50 yards or more. Against Kansas State, he tied his career-high with a 72-yard punt. Against Kansas State and Notre Dame, he averaged 43.6 yards per punt.
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Naranjo carries a grade point average of 3.406 in aviation – flight technology and operations.
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Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the venue.
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An All-Ivy League player and the captain of Columbia's 1961 Ivy League championship team, Bill Campbell found his true calling after an unlikely career change at age 39 from Columbia football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop and manage talented executives – all lessons learned on the gridiron – proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to the highest levels of success.
Campbell joined the NFF Board in 1978 while he was still a coach at Columbia, and he continued to serve with distinction until his passing in 2016. In 2004, the NFF recognized Campbell's contributions and accomplishments by presenting him with the NFF Gold Medal, the organization's highest honor. In 2009, the NFF renamed college football's premier scholar-athlete award as The William V. Campbell Trophy® in his honor.
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Celebrating its 31st year, the Campbell Trophy semifinalist list will be cut to 12-14 finalists in November, with each of those finalists receiving an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments. One member will then be declared as the winner of the Campbell Trophy, having his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000 and receiving his own 25-pound bronze version of the iconic statue.
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In order to qualify, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, have outstanding football ability as a starter or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
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Naranjo returns to BGSU for his redshirt senior season in 2020. He is a two-time Academic All-MAC performer after transferring from New Mexico. In 2019, he played in all 12 games for the Falcons, averaging 40.4 yards per punt over 71 punts. He pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 24 times and had 14 punts of 50 yards or more. Against Kansas State, he tied his career-high with a 72-yard punt. Against Kansas State and Notre Dame, he averaged 43.6 yards per punt.
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Naranjo carries a grade point average of 3.406 in aviation – flight technology and operations.
Â
Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the venue.
Â
An All-Ivy League player and the captain of Columbia's 1961 Ivy League championship team, Bill Campbell found his true calling after an unlikely career change at age 39 from Columbia football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop and manage talented executives – all lessons learned on the gridiron – proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to the highest levels of success.
Campbell joined the NFF Board in 1978 while he was still a coach at Columbia, and he continued to serve with distinction until his passing in 2016. In 2004, the NFF recognized Campbell's contributions and accomplishments by presenting him with the NFF Gold Medal, the organization's highest honor. In 2009, the NFF renamed college football's premier scholar-athlete award as The William V. Campbell Trophy® in his honor.
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