
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, December 11, 1993                   TAG: 9312110052
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MOUNT UNION STAR COVETS 1 MORE TROPHY

Mount Union quarterback Jim Ballard had his offensive line in tow Friday when he arrived at the Salem Civic Center to accept the inaugural Gagliardi Trophy, which honors the NCAA Division III football player of the year.

"The offensive line doesn't always get the attention they deserve," Ballard said. " . . . You guys are truly special."

Ballard, who was chosen from a field of 24 nominees, owns 16 Division III records, including six set this year. He's passed for 4,168 yards and 51 touchdowns this season.

"I'm a believer," said John Gagliardi, the St. John's (Minn.) coach for whom the award is named. "We picked the best guy. I can't imagine we could have chosen anyone better."

Gagliardi's 45th season as coach of the Johnnies ended last Saturday in the playoff semifinals with a 56-8 loss to Mount Union. Ballard passed for a record eight touchdowns for the Purple Raiders who earned a spot in today's Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl against Rowan (N.J.).

"It's a happy coincidence for me to award this to someone who is supposed to be the best in Division III," said Gagliardi, the fifth-winningest coach in college football history. "But it didn't have to be proved so convincingly. . . . I've never seen in all my years someone who dominated a game like that."

Ballard said he was honored to be the first recipient of the trophy, which stands about 2 feet tall and weighs 64 pounds. It is sponsored by the J-Club of St. John's and Jostens, Inc.

"It's a great honor, but I came to Virginia for one reason - to win the national championship," he said. "This just makes it a little sweeter."

"I take it as a high compliment from a man who has been a coach for many years. . . . I'll be able to look back on this some day as a special moment."

The award's criteria included academics and community service. It was voted on by a national selection committee that included Bud Grant, former coach of the Minnesota Vikings; Harry Smith, CBS news anchor; Robin Roberts, ESPN anchor; Judith Sweet, past president of the NCAA; and Lou Wacker, head coach at Emory & Henry.

by CNB