Cockrum Named National College Scholar-Athlete
October 28, 1999 | Football
Oct. 28, 1999
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech outside linebacker Keith Cockrum has been named as one of 15 national scholar-athletes by The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, according to a release today by the organization.
The award represents 15 of the nation?s brightest and best college football playing seniors. Cockrum is one of just nine Division 1-A players to receive the honor, and one of two players from the Big 12 Conference.
The honor is based on superior academic performance, outstanding football ability, strong leadership and citizenship. Cockrum will be awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and will also be honored at the Foundation?s 42nd Annual Awards Dinner held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on Dec. 7.
?Coaching college football is a blessing in disguise and the reason is the Keith Cockrum?s of the world,? Texas Tech head football coach Spike Dykes said. ?Young people like Keith Cockrum are the reason I do this. They make it all worthwhile.?
Cockrum has a perfect 4.0 grade point average and is a triple major in the Business school at Texas Tech. He has started every game at outside linebacker this season and is fifth on the team with 42 tackles, including two for loss and a sack.
To be eligible for the postgraduate fellowship from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, each nominee must have a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have shown superior academic application and performance, be a starter on his team and demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
By being named to this elite team, Cockrum becomes eligible for the Vincent dePaul Draddy Award. The Draddy Scholarship has been termed the ?Academic Heisman?. The award will be presented Dec. 7 in New York and will provide the winner $25,000 in scholarships toward postgraduate studies.
Other members of the Scholar-Athlete Class of 1999 include: center Terrence Anderson of Navy, offensive tackle Mark Baniewicz of Syracuse, linebacker David Breka of Iowa State, tight end Shaun Castillo of Army, tailback Chad Morton of Southern Cal, quarterback Chad Pennington of Marshall, cornerback Ahmed Plummer of Ohio State, nose tackle Robbie Renes of Michigan, center William Broussard of Northwestern State, Giovanni Carmazzi of Hofstra, offensive lineman Mike Wynne of Massachusetts, quarterback Corte McGuffey of Northern Colorado, nose guard Cameron Demmerle of Centre College and linebacker Craig Pierstorff of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.