Ian Campbell Named Semifinalist for Wooden Cup

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior defensive end Ian Campbell was one of 21 student-athletes, including one of five football players, who were named semifinalists for the Fifth Annual Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, Athletes for a Better World (ABW) announced.

The award, given for the most outstanding role model among athletes, focuses on collegiate and professional athletes who have made positive influence in the lives of others. What makes the Wooden Cup unique is that that it is open to athletes in all collegiate and professional sports. Nominations come from every conference in the NCAA.

The only returning two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection in the league this season, Campbell currently ranks sixth in school history with 20.5 career sacks and has compiled 37.5 tackles for loss in his career.

A native of Cimarron, Kan., Campbell has recorded 37 total tackles this season, including 8.5 for losses, with 4.5 sacks and two blocked kicks. Campbell recorded his best game of the 2008 season against Louisiana, carding 11 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass break up against the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Campbell has been one of the most involved players on the team in terms of community service as he assisted local residents with cleanup after the June tornado in Manhattan. He has also spoken to junior high and high school kids, participated in Pi Beta Phi’s “Speed Read” fundraising event for new children’s books, as well as Read and Achieve.

Campbell has also been honored during the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Black Lion Award, presented each year to players who represent the character traits of leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice and – above all – an unselfish concern for the team ahead of himself.

Founded in 1998, ABW strives to change the culture of sport by developing individual character, teamwork, and civic responsibility through commitment to the Code for Living. The vision of the organization is to have the Code become a part of every sport at every level. Currently, ABW players and coaches are represented in every state and several foreign countries.

The other semifinalists for the award include Ryan Adler (Hobart College Ice Hockey), Jenny Barringer (Colorado Track and Field), Andrew Berry (Harvard Football), Amanda Blumenhurst (Duke Golf), Jenny Brine (Harvard Ice Hockey), Mamadou Diene (Baylor Basketball), Raymond Jordan (Missouri Wrestling), Jeff Lerg (Michigan State Ice Hockey), Tim Masthay (Kentucky Football), Brandon McArthur (Florida Baseball), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma Football), Adrienne Mills (Auburn Gymnastics), Lauren Mioton (Purdue Basketball), Brianna O’Donnell (North Carolina Field hockey), Elizabeth Quinley (Michigan Tech Cross Country, Nordic skiing, Track and Field), Maxwell Seibald (Cornell Lacrosse), Tim Tebow (Florida Football), Matt Van Zandt (Texas A&M Golf), Rob Whiting (Vanderbilt Cross country) and Brett Winkelman (North Dakota State Basketball).