Westminster lineman named semi-finalist for Campbell trophy
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The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) named Westminster College senior offensive lineman Matthew Howard (Grove City, Pa., Grove City) as one of 44 Division III semifinalists for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy®, the organization announced Wednesday morning.
Celebrating its 35th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
This year, a record 203 semifinalists were nominated for the Campbell Trophy® from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA. Nominated by their schools, candidates must be a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility in the 2024 season or graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and participating in the 2024 season; have a 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 have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
A biology major, Howard received the Lemmon Family Scholarship for Westminster students enrolled in a pre-health program as a first-year. He currently owns a 3.83 GPA and after his anticipated May 2025 graduation he plans on pursuing a physician assistant (PA) position.
Howard is a five-time Dean's List selection and has been named an Academic Honor Roll designee by the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) three times. An Academic All-District® team selection by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) in December 2023, he was one of 10 student-faculty research teams to receive a Summer Research Fellowship from Westminster's Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research in May 2024. Howard worked with Dr. Diana Ortiz, associate professor of biology, on the project, "What Is the Efficacy of Piper nigrum Extract as a Repellent on the Feeding Behaviors of Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes". He is currently serving as a tutor in the College's Department of Biology.
A three-year letter winner, Howard was named Honorable Mention All-PAC following the 2023 season. Entering his senior year, he made starts in 18 of 19 career games. Howard has been a starter at right guard in both of Westminster's wins in 2024.
The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 23, and each will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 10, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 35th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
