POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Graduate defensive lineman Gannon McCorkle of the Marist football team was named a national semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy on Wednesday.
 
The Campbell Trophy is in its 35^th year. It recognizes the best football scholar-athlete in the country through a combination of academic success, on-field performance, and exemplary leadership, and is commonly referred to as the "Academic Heisman."
 
This year, there are a record total of 203 national semifinalists. The National Football Foundation (NFF) will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 23. Each will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The Campbell Trophy winner will be announced on Dec. 10 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, and his postgraduate scholarship will be increased to $25,000.
 
"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 National Football Foundation 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."
 
McCorkle is in his first season at Marist after playing the last four years at Dartmouth. He was a part of teams that won a share of the Ivy League championship in 2021 and 2023, with the 2021 team finishing with a national ranking of #20 in the Football Championship Subdivision.
 
McCorkle was a double major in Economics and Environment Studies at Dartmouth. He served as Vice President of the college's Black Student-Athlete Alliance. He also served as head organizer for a flag football tournament fundraiser to honor Josh Balara, a Dartmouth teammate and classmate who passed away in 2023 after battling a lengthy illness.
 
At Marist, McCorkle was elected team captain in his first year in the program. He has established himself as a fixture on the defensive line, starting all three of the Red Foxes' contests this season. McCorkle is pursuing his Master's degree in Digital Marketing Communication.
 
The Marist football team opens Pioneer Football League play on Saturday, when the Red Foxes host Dayton at Tenney Stadium on Family Weekend. Kickoff is set for noon. Contact the Marist Ticket Office at (845) 575-3553 or MaristTickets@Marist.edu for ticket information.