Palm Beach County Sports Commission

2011 Top 3 Finalists

Lou Groza National Collegiate Place-Kicker Award 
Announces 2011 Top 3 Finalists

 

Lou Groza Award Announces Final Three

 
WEST PALM BEACH—The national panel of college football experts assembled by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission has selected the three finalists for the 20^th Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. Randy Bullock of Texas A&M, Dustin Hopkins of Florida State and Caleb Sturgis of the University of Florida will vie for the honor.

 

Bullock, a senior from Klein, Texas kicked one field goal and eight extra points in the Aggies 61-7 thrashing of Kansas in College Station last Saturday, making them bowl-eligible. Bullock is Texas A&M’s all-time leading scorer with 337 points, breaking the previous record of 325. After 11 games, he has secured 114 points, converting 21 of his 25 tries and 51 of 53 PATs. With an 84 field goal percentage, Bullock is tied for the number two rank among kickers in the nation in field goals made.

 

 

Hopkins, the junior from Houston, Texas has made 20 of 24 field goals this season and has been a perfect 41 for 41 in PATs. Saturday’s PAT brings Hopkins’ school record streak of consecutive extra points to 127 while only 76 points stand between Hopkins and Florida State’s all-time leading scoring record. Hopkins is tied for fourth in the nation in field goals per game and is the highest scoring kicker in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 101 points.

 

 

Sturgis, the St. Augustine native converted from 55 and 43 yards last Saturday to bring his season total to 90 points with a kicking percentage of 84. Sturgis has played in ten of eleven games, completing a perfect 27 for 27 PATS, while his 21 field goals tie him with Bullock for second in the nation for field goals made. Sturgis leads the South Eastern Conference in field goals made and has made 3 field goals over 50 yards, more than any other SEC kicker this season.

 

Fan votes will count toward naming the winner of the Lou Groza Award.  Those interested should visit www.lougrozaaward.com and cast a vote for their favorite among the three finalists selected by the national panel of voters.  The finalist who receives the greatest total of fan votes will be given one vote on the final ballot.  One vote can make a difference in the final outcome so fans are encouraged to participate. 

 The three finalists will be honored at the 20^th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on Tuesday, December 6 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. This year’s silent auction will feature Lou Groza memorabilia donated by the Groza Family. For more information on the Groza Award and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, visit www.palmbeachsports.com.

 The presentation of the Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, December 9 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team. Fans can visit the show’s dedicated website at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.

 

The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, ncfaa.org

 

About Palm Beach County Sports Commission

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports and sports tourism destination.  The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (primarily in the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities.  The Commission offers a full range of event service support, corporate partnerships, sponsorships and a local membership program that support its goals.  Local, regional, national and international marketing efforts are ongoing by the Commission with sports organizations and event owners.  The Commission also produces sports-related programs for the residents of Palm Beach County including the annual Lou Groza Awards program, the Sports Hall of Fame and the Kids Fitness Festival.  For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission go to www.palmbeachsports.com.

 

 

Who is your favorite Finalist?
	Randy Bullock - Texas A and M
	Dustin Hopkins - Florida State
	Caleb Sturgis - Florida
pollcode.com free polls

* Fan votes will count toward naming the winner of the Lou Groza Award.  Those interested should cast a vote for their favorite among the three finalists selected by the national panel of voters.  The finalist who receives the greatest total of fan votes will be given one vote on the final ballot.  One vote can make a difference in the final outcome so fans are encouraged to participate.