Football | 9/29/2014 8:06:00 AM

IRVING, Texas -- Wayne State University senior center Thom Box (Milan, Mich.) has been named a semifinalist for the 2014 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Campbell Trophy.

Named in honor of William V. Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal, the trophy has become the most prestigious and desirable "academic" award in college football. The trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. In 2014, Fidelity Investments became the trophy's presenting sponsor, while the New York Athletic Club became its official home in 2013.

Criteria and Selection Process
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee 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 football ability as a first team player; and
* Have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

Selected by the NFF Awards Committee in October, the finalists and the winner are all honored at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner in December at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Each finalists receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The individual selected as the absolute best and the winner of the Campbell Trophy has his postgraduate scholarship increased to a total of $25,000, which is endowed by HealthSouth. The award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy.