DALLAS (FWAA) – Indiana's Matt Stauder is this week's nominee for the 2018 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Stauder, a senior manager, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in the spring, less than a year after losing his father to a heart attack.
"His mindset was: 'I've got a job to do. My dad would want me to do my job and do what I'm supposed to do,' Hoosiers coach Tom Allen told the team's website this spring. "It spoke to where his heart was.
"He manages for the love of Indiana University, the program, the guys on the team. He is so dependable. He works so hard. The players see it. In return, when he's in need, they immediately want to help."
Stauder, who is majoring in sport management and marketing, announced this week that his cancer is in remission. He rarely missed Hoosiers practices despite chemotherapy treatments. Allen gave Stauder the game ball following a season-opening win at FIU on Sept. 1, which was also the one-year anniversary of his father's passing.
Indiana running back Ricky Brookins started a GoFundMe page for Stauder in the spring, with the intent of alleviating as much of the treatment cost as possible. The site has raised nearly $32,000.
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award are Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon (2017) Pittsburgh running back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton (2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa's Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).
About the Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is a 360-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl community outreach efforts are comprised of four pillars: youth sports, fundraising and community events, academic programs and scholarships, and legacy gifts. The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 29, 2018. For more information on the 2018-19 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread, log on to orangebowl.org. Follow Orange Bowl: @OrangeBowl, Facebook and Instagram.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football.
The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key
executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas
that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.
For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson
at tiger@fwaa.com.
2018 Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees
Sept. 12: John Schlarman, Kentucky |
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· Sept. 19: Nic Weishar, Notre Dame
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· Sept. 26: Rex Culpepper, Syracuse |
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· Oct. 3: Caleb Farley, Virginia
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· Oct. 10: Antwan Dixon, Kent State
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· Oct. 17: Marquez Stevenson, Houston
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· Oct. 24: Janarius Robinson, Florida
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· Oct. 31: Tre Brown, Oklahoma
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· Nov. 8: Matt Stauder, Indiana
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Nov. 14: Kyle Richard, Cortland
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Nov. 21: Isaiah Woods, Portland State
Related link:
Capital
One Orange Bowl Courage Award