During The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s 47th Annual Awards Dinner, before a sold out crowd at the Waldorf-Astoria, it was announced that Michael Munoz of the University of Tennessee was the 2004 Vincent dePaul Draddy Award winner. Often referred to as the “Academic Heisman,” the Draddy Award is given to the nation’s top scholar-athlete and awards a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. Munoz is one of 15 national scholar-athletes that were recognized.
An unmovable force with top-flight pedigree, Michael Munoz of the University of Tennessee has anchored the Volunteers offensive line for three seasons while establishing himself as a leader in the classroom and in his local community. A Political Science major, Munoz has already graduated and is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. A two-time Academic All-Conference Honor Roll member, he is a regular Dean’s List member and was named to the 2002 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.
A looming physical specimen at 6’,6”, 315 lbs., Munoz earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2003 and All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition in 2002. Dominant from the start, he was named to the Freshman All-America Team by Rivals.com and The Sporting News in 2000. Starting every game of his career, Munoz has twice been elected team captain. A very community-minded individual, Munoz is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and speaks at numerous church engagements. An instructor at the Boys and Girls Club Camp, he participated in the “Day With The Vols” at the Peach Bowl as well as Citrus Bowl Kids Day and Camp Kionia for children with special needs.
Past recipients of the award include: Craig Krenzel, Ohio State University (2003); Brandon Roberts, Washington University in St. Louis (2002); Joaquin Gonzalez, University of Miami (2001); Kyle Vanden Bosch, University of Nebraska (2000); Chad Pennington, Marshall University (1999); Matt Stinchcomb, University of Georgia (1998); Peyton Manning, University of Tennessee (1997); Danny Wuerffel, University of Florida (1996); Bobby Hoying, Ohio State University (1995); Rob Zatechka, University of Nebraska (1994); Thomas Burns, University of Virginia (1993); Jim Hansen, University of Colorado (1992); Brad Culpepper, University of Florida (1991); Chris Howard, U.S. Air Force Academy (1990).
College football playing student-athletes must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), have shown superior academic application and performance, have outstanding football ability as a first team player, and have demonstrated outstanding leadership and citizenship to be eligible for The National Football Foundation’s Scholar-Athlete Awards.
With 119 chapters and over 13,000 members nationwide, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in America’s young people. NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., PLAY IT SMART, The NFF Center for Youth Development Through Sport at Springfield College (Mass.), the NFL-NFF Coaching Academy, and scholarships of nearly $1 million for College and High School Scholar-Athletes.
