Florida State’s Rolle Named Lott Player of the Week
NEWPORT BEACH , Ca.—Florida State ‘s Myron Rolle has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.
Rolle was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship last week and was then flown to Maryland where he played the second half of Florida State ‘s big 37-3 win over the Terrapins. Florida State will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Rolle’s accomplishment.
“He is a remarkable young man and a tremendous example for all of our students,” said Florida State President T.K. Wetherell, speaking of the scholarship. “The entire Florida State community joins me in congratulating him on his wonderful accomplishment.”
“Character, leadership and academics are all part of our award,” said Bob Cristiano, President of The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation,which sponsors The Lott Trophy. “Myron Rolle, in addition to his football skills, embodies those attributes.”
Rolle, 22, graduated from Florida State in 2 1/2 years with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. He is currently enrolled in a master’s program in public administration and plans on becoming a doctor. A junior safety from New Jersey , he is projected by many experts to be a first round NFL draft choice.
He has founded ‘Our Way to Health,’ a curriculum for fifth graders that addresses diabetes and obesity for students at a charter school run by the Seminole Tribe of Florida; conducted research on the metalobic profile of stem and cancer cells; tutored at-risk 8th graders, studied abroad; and been an integral part of one of the nation’s best collegiate defenses.
“Myron is a dedicated and focused leader who is an excellent student, superior athlete and a compassionate human being,” said Jamie Purcell, the Director of Florida State’s Office of National Fellowship.
At Oxford , he will enroll in a master’s program in medical anthropology, which examines the sociocultural aspects of medicine.
Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its fifth year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach , Ca., the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
David Pollack of Georgia won the initial Lott Trophy in 2004. DeMeco Ryans of Alabama won the award in 2005 Daymeion Hughes of Cal was the recipient in 2006 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU in 2007. Georgia , Alabama , Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds. In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $450,000 to various charities, including the four universities.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisers comprised of many retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.
Other players considered for this week’s award, chosen by The Legends Coaches, were James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, Eric Berry of Tennessee, Aaron Curry of Wake Forest and Scott McKillop of Pitt.
Rolle is one of eight semi-finalists for this year’s Lott Trophy.
The Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week, 2008
Week I – Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
Week II – Zack Follett, LB, Cal
Week III – George Selvie, DE, South Florida
Week IV - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Week V - Brian Orakpo, Texas
Week VI - Scott McKillop, Pitt
Week VII - Brian Orakpo, Texas
Week VIII - Eric Berry, Tennessee
Week IX - Brit Miller, Illinois
Week X - Zack Follett, LB, Cal
Week XI - Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Week XII - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Week XIII - Myron Rolle, Florida State
LOTT SHOTS: James Laurinaitis of Ohio State had 12 tackles and a sack in the Buckeyes’ 42-7 win over Michigan . Laurinaitis has won four straight against Michigan since he enrolled at Ohio State…Aaron Curry of Wake Forest recorded 10 tackles and recovered a fumble in a 24-21 loss to Boston College…Brit Miller of Illinois had 8 tackles in a loss to Northwestern, 27-10…Tennessee’s Eric Berry intercepted his 7th pass of the season and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown in a 20-10 win over Vanderbilt. Berry also had 2 tackles for loss, a sack and four carries on offense (for 11 yards)...Pitt Linebacker Scott McKillop had 11 solo tackles, including two for losses in the Panthers’ 28-21 loss at Cincinnati.