(Read this story at CSURams.com)
Colorado State junior offensive lineman Zack Golditch was recognized for his off-the-field service on Wednesday, being named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service” is presented annually by the All Sports Association. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. A total of 88 players are on this year’s watch list, including five from the Mountain West.
On the field, Golditch starred on the offensive line in 2015, playing in all 13 games and earning 12 starts at both left tackle and left guard. CSU’s offense ranked third in the Mountain West, averaging 417.0 yards per game, and was among the nation’s leaders for tackles for loss allowed (4.62 per game; 11th), sacks allowed (1.17 per game; 22nd), third-down conversions (46.0 percent, 20th), fourth-down conversions (58.8 percent, 36th), first downs (23.15 per game, 33rd) and red-zone offense (87 percent, 44th).
Off the field, Golditch received the NFF Inspiration Award for his courage and resiliency in returning to the football field after being among those wounded during the July 20, 2012 Aurora theater shooting outside Denver, Colo. He was honored during the NFF Chapter Awards Luncheon, presented by Under Armour, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a National Selection Committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 3, with finalists being named on Nov. 23. The winner will be selected Dec. 6 at the National Football Foundation’s press conference in New York City.
“It’s nice because I can be an example for other people who have been through adversity and tragic events,” Golditch said. “I can just go and make a positive light out of it and just say, ‘Hey, just because this happened to me doesn’t mean that it’s going to stop me from doing what I want to do.’”
Golditch is the fifth Ram to be named to a preseason watch list this season, joining Jake Bennett (Rimington Trophy), Hayden Hunt (Ray Guy Award), Fred Zerblis(Outland Trophy) and Kevin Davis (Butkus Award). The members of the NCFAA are unveiling their preseason watch lists over a 12-day period this month, with 17 of the association’s 22 awards selecting a preseason watch list. Additionally, Elroy Masters, Jr. was named a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team on Wednesday, another prestigious off-the-field award.