Franklin Named Wooden Cup Semifinalist

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse football's Zaire Franklin was named one of 25 semifinalists for the 2018 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, Athletes for a Better World (ABW) announced earlier this week.

Named for legendary UCLA men's basketball coach John Wooden, the Wooden Cup is presented by ABW to distinguished athletes from any sport – two high school, one collegiate and one professional – that best display character, teamwork and citizenship. The award is open to all college athletes, regardless of division, and is widely regarded as one of the highest honors in intercollegiate athletics.

The first three-time captain in modern Syracuse football history, Franklin was one of the team's unquestioned leaders during his four-year career. He is the former president of Syracuse University's chapter of Omega Psi Phi and also served on the Syracuse Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

In November 2016, Franklin collaborated with leaders from Vera House and 100 Men of Syracuse to present the workshop "Real Men, Real Talk: Locker Room Edition" in the wake of President Trump's "locker room talk" prior to the election. The open campus forum produced a healthy dialogue, focusing on localized strategies to combat America's rape culture and prevent violence against women.

Franklin participated in numerous additional community engagement initiatives through the 'Cuse Cares Community Service Program and his fraternity while on campus. He was a frequent guest at local elementary schools and provided weekly math tutoring services to fourth- and fifth-graders. On the first day of classes last fall, Franklin handed out backpacks full of school supplies to students at Van Duyn Elementary School in Syracuse. In recognition of his leadership, Franklin was tabbed one of 20 semifinalists for the 2017 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award and selected as one of the 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award.

A Dean's List student, Franklin received his bachelor's degree in finance and marketing management from Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management in December 2017.

On the field, Franklin was a two-time All-ACC selection at linebacker. He played in 48 games for the Orange from 2014-17, starting 39, and closed his career with 311 tackles. Franklin also logged 31.5 career tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Of the 25 semifinalists for the intercollegiate athletics division, five played football in the Atlantic Coast Conference – Franklin, NC State's A.J. Cole III, Georgia Tech's KeShun Freeman, Virginia's Micah Kiser and North Carolina's Austin Proehl.

In addition to naming the semifinalists, ABW also announced the four finalists for the award – Ashley Marcus (Penn – fencing), Hannah Menk (University of the Redlands – women's soccer), Patrick Mohorcic (College of Wooster – football) and Stephen Rizzo (Marist – men's cross country). The winner will be announced on April 25 during a ceremony at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

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