Hobart senior offensive lineman Ethan Kowalski (Lancaster/Lancaster, N.Y.) is one of a record number of nominees for the most prestigious academic award in college football, the William V. Campbell Trophy® presented by the National Football Foundation. This year, 203 scholar-athletes representing all levels of NCAA and NAIA football were nominated and boast an average GPA of 3.63.
“These 203 semifinalists reflect not only exceptional academic and athletic talent but also the deep-rooted leadership that shows a commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives, which is learned on the gridiron,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “The Campbell Trophy continues to represent the pinnacle of what it means to be a scholar-athlete, and this year’s candidates exemplify how football builds future leaders who will undoubtedly shape tomorrow’s world.”
An economics and management & entrepreneurship major, Kowalski has been named to the Dean’s List in each of his first six semesters. He has been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team and the Liberty League All-Academic team in each of the past two seasons. Kowalski also garnered Hobart’s Arnold Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He is a member of the Orange Key and Chimera honor societies.
On the field, Kowalski has started on the offensive line in 21 of the 27 games he’s played for the Statesmen. A team captain this season, he has helped Hobart to a 2-1 start. He started all 11 games last season, earning first team All-Liberty League honors while leading an offensive line that ranked in the top 25 in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed (22nd) and fourth down conversion (24th). As a sophomore, Kowalski started 10 of 11 games, as the Hobart line was 20th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed.
During his Hobart career, Kowalski has helped the Statesmen post a 26-10 record, including a 12-6 record in Liberty League play. Hobart has earned a bowl bid in each of the past three seasons, winning the 2021 Bushnell Bowl.
Each nominee must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a 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 candidates come from all levels of play in the NCAA and the NAIA.
Kowalski is the ninth Statesman to be named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy since 2009, joining Brian Monaco (2009), Michael Green (2013), Troy Robinson (2014), Kai Brandford (2018), Collin Hudgins (2019), Kyle Hackett (2020), Cade Frucci (2022) and Abdoulaye Diallo (2023).
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