Florida International University senior running back Alex Gardner not only is making an impact on the football field but in the community as well.
Gardner last week was among 114 student-athletes nominated for the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy, which honors college football’s top community servant.
According to the committee which picked the candidates for the award, Gardner is extremely active in the community, representing the FIU football program. The four-year player has assisted in teaching a fundamental skills camp as part of the Orange Bowl Football Alliance Clinics. The camps featured offensive, defensive and agility drills, while also stressing the importance of character development and good sportsmanship. Gardner has also been a mentor for students at Earlington Heights Elementary where he spoke to the students about the importance of good grades and how hard work and dedication leads to success. The Jacksonville, Florida, native has also worked with the Miami-Dade Police Athletic League (PAL), giving presentations to kids that focused on education, hard work, and perseverance.
Gardner made 12 starts to earn All-C-USA Honorable Mention honors last season, rushing for 930 yards on 181 carries and six touchdowns. He became the school's all-time leading rusher in 2016, finishing the campaign with 2,272 yards. Gardner also set the career mark in carries (504). He scored a team-high six rushing touchdowns while recording five 100-yard games, including a career-high 141 yards on the ground at UTEP. Gardner ranked No. 8 in the conference in rushing yards and No. 10 in rushing yards-per-game (77.5) while averaging 5.1 yards-per-carry.
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy Winner Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy, "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," is presented in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, annually to the college football player that best combines exemplary community service with academic and athletic achievement.
The 2017 winner will be formally announced on December 5 at the National Football Foundation’s press conference in New City, with the presentation of the award during the 49th annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 16, 2018 in Fort Walton Beach.