Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Whitner a Semifinalist for 2018 Wuerffel Trophy
11/1/2018 10:00:00 AM | Football
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Syracuse senior linebacker Kielan Whitner has been selected as one of the 12 semifinalists for the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy. Presented annually by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
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Whitner is the public relations director for the Syracuse University chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the rare-disease community through the power of sport. In his role his as one of the group's leaders, Whitner helped organize the 2018 "Lift for Life," which raised more than $7,000 to benefit those affected by rare diseases.
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In addition to his work with Uplifting Athletes, Whitner has completed two mission trips to Haiti. During his most recent trip in December of 2017, Whitner helped lead a group of volunteers in the construction of two orphanages and the distribution of free medical care in severely impoverished areas of the country.
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Whitner's additional community outreach activities include membership in the Central New York Chapter of The For a Day Foundation, which provides therapeutic experiences for sick children. He also serves as Syracuse's player captain for Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with local college athletic teams.
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A senior accounting major in the University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Whitner has been named to the ACC Honor Roll every year he has been on campus and he is a six-time member of the SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll (min. 3.0 GPA).
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On the field, Whitner has played in 42 career games (12 starts) at safety and linebacker. He has 142 career tackles and seven passes defended. Whitner leads the Orange this season with 66 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. He is sixth in the ACC in tackles per game (8.3).
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In addition to being a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist, Whitner was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® in September for his dedication to volunteerism and serving others.
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Named in honor of former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is the only major college football award that places the majority of its voting emphasis on community service. The three finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 19. The formal announcement of this year's winner will be made on Dec. 4 at the National Football Foundation's press conference in New York City.
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For more information about the Wuerffel Trophy, visit www.wuerffeltrophy.org.
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For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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Whitner is the public relations director for the Syracuse University chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the rare-disease community through the power of sport. In his role his as one of the group's leaders, Whitner helped organize the 2018 "Lift for Life," which raised more than $7,000 to benefit those affected by rare diseases.
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In addition to his work with Uplifting Athletes, Whitner has completed two mission trips to Haiti. During his most recent trip in December of 2017, Whitner helped lead a group of volunteers in the construction of two orphanages and the distribution of free medical care in severely impoverished areas of the country.
Â
Whitner's additional community outreach activities include membership in the Central New York Chapter of The For a Day Foundation, which provides therapeutic experiences for sick children. He also serves as Syracuse's player captain for Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with local college athletic teams.
Â
A senior accounting major in the University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Whitner has been named to the ACC Honor Roll every year he has been on campus and he is a six-time member of the SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll (min. 3.0 GPA).
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On the field, Whitner has played in 42 career games (12 starts) at safety and linebacker. He has 142 career tackles and seven passes defended. Whitner leads the Orange this season with 66 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. He is sixth in the ACC in tackles per game (8.3).
Â
In addition to being a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist, Whitner was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® in September for his dedication to volunteerism and serving others.
Â
Named in honor of former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is the only major college football award that places the majority of its voting emphasis on community service. The three finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 19. The formal announcement of this year's winner will be made on Dec. 4 at the National Football Foundation's press conference in New York City.
Â
For more information about the Wuerffel Trophy, visit www.wuerffeltrophy.org.
Â
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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