IRVING, Texas – Senior linebacker
Ben Hestorff of the St. Olaf College football team was named one of 201 semifinalists for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy ®, as announced by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) on Wednesday.
Among the pool of 201 semifinalists, Hestorff is one of 48 NCAA Division III student-athletes and one of four nominees from Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) programs, along with Augsburg University linebacker Justin Tverberg, Hamline University wide receiver Charlie Wilson, and Saint John's University quarterback Aaron Syverson.
In its 34th year, the Campbell Trophy ® is awarded annually to the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. Candidates, who are nominated by their schools, must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor, and must have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The NFF will announce 12-13 finalists on Oct. 25 and each of the finalists will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. On Dec. 5, one of the finalists will be named the winner of the 34th Campbell Trophy ® at the 65th Annual NFF Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas at the ARIA Resort & Casino and will have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
A kinesiology major with a 3.43 cumulative GPA, Hestorff has volunteered in several capacities during his time at St. Olaf, including assisting with a muscular dystrophy association camp, working at a youth community flag football league, and serving meals to the homeless. On the field, Hestorff has started all 22 games he has played in for the Oles during his career, recording 141 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 4.0 sacks, one interception, seven passes defended, and one forced fumble.
St. Olaf begins a run of three consecutive road games with a trip to Hamline University for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 30.
