National Football Foundation

One of only two players in Division III to garner First Team All-America honors as well as First Team Academic All-America laurels in 2009, Ben Wartman is arguably one of the most successful student-athletes in the history of the University of Saint Thomas.

Hailing from Prior Lake, Minn., Wartman was twice named an Academic All-MIAC selection. The finance major is also a six-time Dean's List honoree with plans to obtain a master's degree in business administration.

Wartman has led the Tommies to a No. 4 national ranking this season, sitting atop the conference standings with an impressive 8-0 record. In 2009, Wartman helped Saint Thomas to its first NCAA playoff berth in 19 seasons en route to earning First Team All-America honors. He ranks as only the third player in conference history to gain 300 yards or more in a single game and is on pace to break both the school and conference career rushing records. This season he has rushed 103 times for 565 yards and seven touchdowns.

In addition to his football prowess, Wartman also plays on the school's baseball team, which won the Division III National Championship last season. He coordinated the UST Football for Haiti initiative that raised nearly $1,500 in four days and traveled to Costa Rica to volunteer at Camp Penuel Mission for underprivileged kids. Wartman lives in Savage, Minn., and works at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.