Andrew Hilliard gets another elite award

June 16, 2002
"Andrew is an outstanding example of a student athlete who has committed himself to success in all areas of life. He sets high standards for himself and works tirelessly to achieve them. I can't think of a more deserving athlete that has ever come through our program. Andrew has the earned a great deal of respect from his professors, coaches and teammates. All of us at St. Thomas are fortunate and proud to call him one of our own."

Here's the bio info on Andrew Hilliard -- more than you need but I'll let you pick and condense as needed:

Andrew Hilliard
Univ. of ST. THOMAS (Minn.),
District V, Senior
Woodbury, Minn.,
3.98 gpa, MATH

(missed graduation ceremonies May 24 while competing at NCAA D-III Championships)

Trivial Note: Two of Andrew's apartment roommates in 2002-03 also were voted Verizon Academic All-Americans -- Jake Barkley in football and Tom Carroll in baseball

.Is St. Thomas' first (and conference's second) student-athlete to be named a Verizon Team Member of the Year for an Academic All-American team

.Has been a Verizon Academic All-American® a total of five times in two sports (football & track & field) -- 12th student athlete nationally among 13,000 all-time recipients to be a five- or six-time Verizon AAA honoree

.Named one of 14 college football recipients of the 2002 National Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. That award included an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship -- just the second honoree from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in the 43-year history of the award.

.Was among 10 finalists for the 2002 Gagliardi Trophy, honoring the NCAA Division III Football Player/Student Athlete of the Year

.2003 Woody Hayes Scholar-Athlete Award winner (male D-III Student-Athlete of the Year)

.2003 NCAA post-graduate scholarship winner

.2002 national team member of American Football Coaches Association's Good Works Team (one of three Division III players honored)

.2002 team captain in football (wide receiver). career: 4-year starter, 147 receptions for 2,547 yards with 23 touchdowns

.Six-time NCAA Division III All-American in track. Member of 1600 relay teams that set conference records both indoors & outdoors

.16-time (relays & individual) conference champion, including four 1600 relays and three 400 hurdles outdoors

.Helped team win eight of eight (four indoor/four outdoor) conference titles

.Ran on 2003 NCAA Division III third-place 1600 relay that set conference record of 3:11.12

.Member of 1600 relay teams that placed in top five at outdoor nationals in each of his four years

.Also was two-time NCAA outdoor qualifier in 400 hurdles (2001, 2003)

.Won four events at May 9-10 conference outdoor meet (LJ; 400H; 400 and 1600 relays) leading St. Thomas to team championship. (Was 18th and final qualifier for the conf. meet in the long jump -- an event he rarely enters -- but placed first with a 22-0 leap)

.Also ran on winning 1600 relay at conference indoor meet

.Volunteer weightlifting coach for Special Olympics

.Coach for National Youth Sports Program

.Vacation Bible School volunteer, Beaver Lake Church

.Habitat for Humanity volunteer (St. Paul, Minn.)

.Volunteer for hometown Woodbury Athletic Association at track, football camps;

.Volunteer for Loaves & Fishes Foodshelf

.Volunteer at neighborhood cleanup day in St. Paul

.Volunteer at annual on-campus Faculty/Staff Family Christmas party (last four years)

.Volunteer at Bailey Elementary School P.E. classes

.Member campus Fellowship of Christian Athletes (three years).