DALLAS, Texas -- Senior linebacker Matt Bauman was recognized by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) as they announced the 2009 National Scholar-Athlete class on Thursday. The 16 members of the class will each receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship and vie as finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, formally known as the Draddy Trophy.

Student-athletes were selected as the best and the brightest from the college gridiron, from a nationwide pool of 154 semifinalists among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA.

"It's an honor to receive this prestigious recognition," said Bauman. "I'm happy to be able to represent BYU and its values. I'm very grateful for this opportunity."

A team captain and a two-year starter at linebacker, Bauman is BYU's fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete and its first since 2000. Other Cougars who received the honor were Stephen Miller (1976), Steve Young (1983) and Jared Lee (2000).


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