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Hiller named NFF National Scholar-Athlete

Nov. 2, 2009

DALLAS--Western Michigan University quarterback Tim Hiller has been named to the 2009 National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Class, becoming the first Bronco ever to receive the honor.

Hiller is one of just 16 student-athletes, chosen from across all NCAA divisions and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, now vying for the William V. Campbell Trophy. He joins Colt McCoy of Texas, Todd Reesing of Kansas and Tim Tebow of Florida as one of only four quarterbacks to make the class. As part of the awards package, Hiller will receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship and a trip to New York City for the NFF's Dec. 8 awards dinner.

"The 2009 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class boasts the highest average GPA in the history of the awards," NFF Chairman Archie Manning says. "They are truly the best among all college sports and the epitome of our mission to build leaders through football."

Hiller has devoted his collegiate career to being the best at what he does both on and off the field. He is one of only three members of this distinguished class to boast a 4.0 grade point average, and the only one at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level (formerly Division IA). His philanthropic efforts have made him a mainstay in the Kalamazoo community. He founded the WMU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and he spent his downtime last spring on a faith-based mission in Trinidad.

On the field, Hiller is busy rewriting WMU's record book. Earlier this season, he surpassed Tim Lester as the program's record holder for career passing touchdowns and career pass completions. He is also in line to break the WMU marks for career pass attempts, yards and completion percentage. He entered his senior year as the program record holder for passing yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns in a season.

One of the 16 NFF National Scholar-Athletes will be announced as the recipient of the 20th anniversary William V. Campbell Trophy, formerly known as the Draddy Trophy. Endowed by HealthSouth, it recognizes an individual as the greatest scholar-athlete in the nation. The award was renamed this fall in honor of Bill Campbell, chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University, and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal. It comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.

Related article
Hiller named Michigan College Athlete of the Year
Tim Hiller named Academic All-America
Tim Hiller wins Wuerffel Trophy

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Media contact: Mat Kanan, (269) 387-4125, mat.kanan@wmich.edu

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