Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

[oldalum]

The presentation of the 2008 Draddy Trophy will be Tuesday, Dec. 9th at a banquet at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The finalists are:

The 2008 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class - Football Bowl Subdivision: Chase Daniel (Missouri); Graham Harrell (Texas Tech); Quin Harris (Louisiana Tech); Jeff Horinek (Colorado State); Alex Mack (California); Ryan McDonald (Illinois); Darryl Richard (Georgia Tech); Brian Robiskie (Ohio State); and Louie Sakoda (Utah). Football Championship Subdivision: Andrew Berry (Harvard); Ryan Berry (South Dakota State); and Casey Gerald (Yale). Division II: Ryan Kees (St. Cloud State, Minn.). Division III: Brian Freeman (Carnegie Mellon, Pa.); and Greg Micheli (Mount Union, Ohio).

Ryan Berry, his wife Caitlin, Coach Stig and several members of Ryan's family will be in attendance.

Also several individuals will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at that same event in the afternoon:

The 2008 Hall of Fame Class :Troy Aikman (UCLA), Billy Cannon (LSU), Jim Dombrowski (Virginia), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Wilber Marshall (Florida), Rueben Mayes (Washington State), Randall McDaniel (Arizona State), Don McPherson (Syracuse), Jay Novacek (Wyoming), Dave Parks (Texas Tech), Ron Simmons (Florida State), Thurman Thomas (Oklahoma State), Arnold Tucker (Army). Coaches: John Cooper and Lou Holtz.

It should be quite an experience for the Berry's and Coach Stig to rub shoulders with Troy Aikman, Lou Holtz and all the others.

Here is a media link:
http://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=1746

[Chains]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

The Draddy presentation is really cool and I wish Ryan the best of luck. One can only imagine the time management Ryan and Kaitlan had to function with throughout their college carrers. Great students, both participating in college division l athletics, raising a son and excelling at everthing they participated in. They both have my admiration.

Good luck to a deserving young man.

GBGBGJ

[EQguy]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

several members of Ryan's family will be in attendance.

That goes without saying doesn't it!

Congrats to Ryan, Kaitlin and their families.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

Although Ryan's chances at winning the trophy are propably a long shot, it is a great honor to be one of the 15 finalists for this prestigious award. We're proud of Ryan and Caitlin and their accomplishments as Jackrabbits!!!

[jackmd]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

Although Ryan's chances at winning the trophy are propably a long shot, it is a great honor to be one of the 15 finalists for this prestigious award. We're proud of Ryan and Caitlin and their accomplishments as Jackrabbits!!!

Just as a reminder, all of the finalists received $18,000 post-graduate scholarships. The winner of the award gets another $7,000. Congrats to Ryan he has earned this recognition.

[bisonchamp]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

Berry is the man. Big fan. He will be missed next year in blue won't he.

[SDSUJack3031]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

Just as a reminder, all of the finalists received $18,000 post-graduate scholarships. The winner of the award gets another $7,000. Congrats to Ryan he has earned this recognition.

That is probably more important than anything considering he will be going on for further schooling! That's impressive!

[BTownJack]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

Terry at the Argus ran a story today about the Draddy award.

SDSU's Berry plans to relish Draddy night
'Academic Heisman' winner to be named
Terry Vandrovec • December 9, 2008

Ryan Berry can't help but feel like a tourist.

As one of 15 finalists for the Draddy Trophy, the so-called academic Heisman, the South Dakota State quarterback has been invited to attend the National Football Foundation awards banquet tonight in Manhattan. Some of the others on the guest list: Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell and Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel plus college greats Troy Aikman, Thurman Thomas and Lou Holtz.

"They're going to be thinking, 'Who the heck is Ryan Berry? They have schools in South Dakota?'" the Watertown native said. "You just feel like you don't belong."

(read more)

[JimmyJack]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

California Center Alex Mack wins the Draddy.

http://california.scout.com/2/819897.html

[bub94]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

Even without winning, Ryan has had a great year and it was great for him to be nominated. Good job Ryan!

[EQguy]

Re: Ryan Berry in New York as Draddy Finalist

Nice quick story about Ryan in New York on KDLT. Had video of Stig talking about Ryan being a picture of what an athlete can accomplish at South Dakota State.