Risner Selected 2018 NFF National Scholar-Athlete
Oct 31, 2018 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior right tackle Dalton Risner earned one of the most prestigious honors among FBS players on Wednesday as he was selected as a member of the 2018 National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete Class and a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
Risner is one of just 13 players nationally – including eight from FBS schools and the lone Big 12 representative – that were named a finalist from a list of 179 semifinalists. The Wiggins, Colorado, product is also just the sixth Wildcat in school history to be named a finalist and the first since Tyler Lockett in 2014.
"I am extremely honored to be named a finalist for this prestigious award," Risner said. "There are countless people that have helped me strive to become the best player, student and member of the community throughout my time at K-State. The list starts with my parents, Coach Snyder, Coach Dickey and my teammates, but certainly extends to those in the community that have touched my life – Michael, Kayden, Joan and many others."
By being named a finalist, Risner will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and be honored at the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner in New York City on December 4. One of the 13 finalists will be announced at the dinner as the 29th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best student-athlete in the nation.
"We are extremely proud to announce the finalists for this year's Campbell Trophy, who make up the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "These young men have an unrelenting commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives, and they represent all that is right in college football. They serve as living examples that Football Matters, and we are excited to honor their hard work and accomplishments with postgraduate scholarships."
In its 60th year of existence, the William V. Campbell Trophy criteria states a player must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, have outstanding football ability and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
Risner checks all those boxes as the 2017 First Team All-American holds a 3.603 GPA as a mass communications major and has touched the lives both in the Manhattan community and across the nation.
Risner started the RiseUp Foundation, which has started in both a blog and v-log form to "encourage everyone to RISE above the evil and sin in this world and be a positive shining light in the lives of others." The ultimate goal for the foundation is to motivate people through his words and actions, through his stories and his relationships.
He also visits Buttonwood Special Needs Home and has bonded with one member in particular, Mike, by going to movies, bowling and hanging out about once per week. He goes to the house to spend time for a while before taking Mike to places around town to spend time together.
Risner is also a Big Brother to Kayden, who was battling leukemia but is in remission. After originally meeting in April, Risner and Kayden have spent time together on multiple occasions, including a family barbeque, while Risner brought Kaden and his siblings Easter baskets. Kayden also ran out of the team tunnel with Risner prior to this year's UTSA game.
Although he takes the time on his own to participate in community service, Risner also does work through the K-State football team's initiatives, including Special Olympics, Senior Kats (spending time at all four local retirement communities), Cats in the Classroom (volunteering at local elementary schools), Cats 4 Cans (collection of food items for the Flint Hills Breadbasket) and Adopt-a-Family.
Kansas State travels to Fort Worth, Texas, this Saturday to take on TCU in a 2:30 p.m., game that will be broadcast nationally by FS1.
Risner is one of just 13 players nationally – including eight from FBS schools and the lone Big 12 representative – that were named a finalist from a list of 179 semifinalists. The Wiggins, Colorado, product is also just the sixth Wildcat in school history to be named a finalist and the first since Tyler Lockett in 2014.
"I am extremely honored to be named a finalist for this prestigious award," Risner said. "There are countless people that have helped me strive to become the best player, student and member of the community throughout my time at K-State. The list starts with my parents, Coach Snyder, Coach Dickey and my teammates, but certainly extends to those in the community that have touched my life – Michael, Kayden, Joan and many others."
By being named a finalist, Risner will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and be honored at the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner in New York City on December 4. One of the 13 finalists will be announced at the dinner as the 29th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best student-athlete in the nation.
"We are extremely proud to announce the finalists for this year's Campbell Trophy, who make up the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "These young men have an unrelenting commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives, and they represent all that is right in college football. They serve as living examples that Football Matters, and we are excited to honor their hard work and accomplishments with postgraduate scholarships."
In its 60th year of existence, the William V. Campbell Trophy criteria states a player must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, have outstanding football ability and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
Risner checks all those boxes as the 2017 First Team All-American holds a 3.603 GPA as a mass communications major and has touched the lives both in the Manhattan community and across the nation.
Risner started the RiseUp Foundation, which has started in both a blog and v-log form to "encourage everyone to RISE above the evil and sin in this world and be a positive shining light in the lives of others." The ultimate goal for the foundation is to motivate people through his words and actions, through his stories and his relationships.
He also visits Buttonwood Special Needs Home and has bonded with one member in particular, Mike, by going to movies, bowling and hanging out about once per week. He goes to the house to spend time for a while before taking Mike to places around town to spend time together.
Risner is also a Big Brother to Kayden, who was battling leukemia but is in remission. After originally meeting in April, Risner and Kayden have spent time together on multiple occasions, including a family barbeque, while Risner brought Kaden and his siblings Easter baskets. Kayden also ran out of the team tunnel with Risner prior to this year's UTSA game.
Although he takes the time on his own to participate in community service, Risner also does work through the K-State football team's initiatives, including Special Olympics, Senior Kats (spending time at all four local retirement communities), Cats in the Classroom (volunteering at local elementary schools), Cats 4 Cans (collection of food items for the Flint Hills Breadbasket) and Adopt-a-Family.
Kansas State travels to Fort Worth, Texas, this Saturday to take on TCU in a 2:30 p.m., game that will be broadcast nationally by FS1.
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