University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Simmons Named Semifinalist for NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards
Sep 28, 2015 | Football
Offensive lineman has already earned degree from University of Memphis
One of five college graduates on this year's Memphis Football team, senior offensive lineman Micah Simmons is a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's Scholar-Athlete Awards.
Simmons graduated from the University of Memphis in May with a bachelor's degree in Health and Sports Science. As an undergraduate, Simmons carried a 3.63 grade-point average. He is currently pursing a second degree in Health and Sports Performance.
On the playing field, Simmons has played in all four games this season, starting two at right guard for the Tigers. He has helped lead an offensive front that has protected a unit which is averaging 570 yards per game, which ranks eighth nationally, and is scoring 53.8 points per game, which ranks third.
Over his four-year career, Simmons has played in 37 games, starting 10 contests for the Tigers. During his career, Simmons has played all three interior line positions – right and left guard as well as center.
Simmons has been involved in Memphis' community outreach at area elementary schools. During the spring, he went through training and became certified to work in a Red Cross shelter as part of a unique, team community service project.
Presented by Fidelity Investments, the awards were established in 1959 as the first initiative in history to honor scholar-athletes with postgraduate scholarships for their combined athletic, academic and leadership abilities. In 2011, Fidelity Investments became the first official sponsor in the 54-year history of the prestigious program, which has awarded more than $10.7 million to 80 individuals since its inception.
The program currently provides $313,000 each year in postgraduate scholarships to the nation's top scholar-athletes from all levels of collegiate play.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one each, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding ability as a first-team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The National Football Foundation will announce 15 finalists on Oct. 29, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments.
The finalists will travel to New York City for the 58th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. At the event, one member of the class will be declared the winner of the 26th William V. Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
"These 135 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "It is important for us to showcase their success on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. This year's semifinalists further illustrate the power of our great sport in developing the next generation of influential leaders."
Named in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal, the Campbell Trophy is a 25-pound bronze trophy.
"The NFF would like to personally congratulate each of the nominees as well as their schools and coaches on their tremendous accomplishments," said NFF President & 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."
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Simmons graduated from the University of Memphis in May with a bachelor's degree in Health and Sports Science. As an undergraduate, Simmons carried a 3.63 grade-point average. He is currently pursing a second degree in Health and Sports Performance.
On the playing field, Simmons has played in all four games this season, starting two at right guard for the Tigers. He has helped lead an offensive front that has protected a unit which is averaging 570 yards per game, which ranks eighth nationally, and is scoring 53.8 points per game, which ranks third.
Over his four-year career, Simmons has played in 37 games, starting 10 contests for the Tigers. During his career, Simmons has played all three interior line positions – right and left guard as well as center.
Simmons has been involved in Memphis' community outreach at area elementary schools. During the spring, he went through training and became certified to work in a Red Cross shelter as part of a unique, team community service project.
Presented by Fidelity Investments, the awards were established in 1959 as the first initiative in history to honor scholar-athletes with postgraduate scholarships for their combined athletic, academic and leadership abilities. In 2011, Fidelity Investments became the first official sponsor in the 54-year history of the prestigious program, which has awarded more than $10.7 million to 80 individuals since its inception.
The program currently provides $313,000 each year in postgraduate scholarships to the nation's top scholar-athletes from all levels of collegiate play.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one each, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding ability as a first-team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The National Football Foundation will announce 15 finalists on Oct. 29, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments.
The finalists will travel to New York City for the 58th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. At the event, one member of the class will be declared the winner of the 26th William V. Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
"These 135 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "It is important for us to showcase their success on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. This year's semifinalists further illustrate the power of our great sport in developing the next generation of influential leaders."
Named in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal, the Campbell Trophy is a 25-pound bronze trophy.
"The NFF would like to personally congratulate each of the nominees as well as their schools and coaches on their tremendous accomplishments," said NFF President & 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."
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