SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Jack Schelhaas of the University of Sioux Falls Football Team has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy, as announced today by the National Football Foundation (NFF). 
 

Schelhaas, a two-time NSIC Academic Team of Excellence member, is among a record 199 semifinalists named for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy. As college football's premier scholar-athlete award, it recognizes student-athletes who show success academically, on the field, and display exemplary leadership. 
 
After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in May 2020, graduating Summa Cum Laude (3.8-3.9 GPA), Schelhaas is now working towards a Master of Business Administration Degree. 
 
On the football field, Schelhaas helped lead his team to NCAA DII playoffs in the 2019 season, as well as racking up multiple tackles throughout multiple games. Even though Schelhaas has had his final season interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Schelhaas has exhibited how adversity confronted by resilience brings positive results. 
 
As a semifinalist for the 2020 National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy, Schelhaas understands life, like football, is one step or one play at a time. "Jack (Schelhaas) is the epitome of a student-athlete and leader," said USF Head Football Coach Jon Anderson. "He has excelled in the classroom in undergraduate and graduate school, all the while working to improve on the field of competition while leading his fellow teammates with a selfless dedication for the team," said Anderson.
 
As a candidate for the prestigious National Football Foundation honor, Schelhaas and other nominees must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, showcase outstanding ability in football, and demonstrate strong leadership and citizenship. Named in honor of the late William V. Campbell, former player and head coach at Columbia University, the William V. Campbell Trophy has become the most prestigious and desirable "academic" award in college football. The trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. Selected by the NFF Awards Committee in November, the finalists and the winner are all honored at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner in December at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. The committee will select 12-14 finalists, each of which will receive an $18,000 scholarship.
 
Schelhaas certainly meets the NFF criteria with his leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in service work. 
 
Named to the Academic All-NSIC squad for a second straight season in 2019, Schelhaas was also selected to the NSIC Academic Team of Excellence (GPA of 3.6 or better) for a second straight year. In 2019-20, he earned selection to the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award List.
 
In addition, Schelhaas has stepped up as a campus leader with his commitment to USF's "Culture for Service". He served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative from 2016-2020, which included serving as a volunteer at Feeding South Dakota in 2019-2020, and with COVID-19 Relief through Embrace Church in 2020. He was also a volunteer at Sioux Falls Banquet in 2016-2017, and with the Sioux Falls Helpline Center in 2019.
 
In his time at USF, Schelhaas, who has 39 career tackles as a linebacker and special teams standout, has been a huge part of a team that is 24-11 in three seasons with playoff journeys in both 2017 and 2019. His experience with the program is one that brought him a second family and incredible experiences.
 
ABOUT THE CAMPBELL TROPHY 
 
The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists in November, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The finalists will travel to New York City for the NFF Annual Awards Dinner, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the live event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 31st Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. 
 
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is composed of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers, and athletic administrators. 
 
"It is wonderful to see a record number of semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy during such a turbulent year, proving the Future for Football is bright," said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell. "We are extremely proud to highlight each semifinalist's achievements, showcasing their ability to balance academics and athletics at the highest level. The NFF Awards Committee will have an incredibly difficult task in selecting the finalists from this outstanding group of candidates." 
 
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate their 62nd year in 2020. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments, and the NFF has recognized 866 outstanding individuals since the program's inception. This year's postgraduate scholarships will push the program's all-time distribution to more than $11.9 million. The trophy was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program's prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners, and seven first-round draft picks.