Eastern Michigan Athletics
Speights Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
7/28/2022 10:01:00 AM | Football
The Valencia, Calif. native has been at the forefront of numerous activities on campus
ATLANTA, Ga. (EMUEagles.com) — For the second consecutive season, Eastern Michigan University senior linebacker Tariq Speights (Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-College of the Canyons) has been selected as one of 115 student-athletes nationwide selected to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, the organization announced today, July 28. The Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the top community servant in college football.
Named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented each February in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.
"I continue to be impressed with the number of college football players who are achieving on the field and still dedicating time to make a positive impact in their community," said Wuerffel. "The student-athletes on this watch list are positively impacting organizations throughout the country."
Off the field, Speights helped organize a voter registration drive at EMU to get students out to vote. The goal was to challenge every eligible member of Eastern's varsity teams to be registered to vote. Additionally, he helped organize a Black Lives Matter rally that involved both athletic departments of EMU and Michigan. The rally was about student-athletes using their platform as college athletes, opening eyes, sharing a cause, and bringing awareness to racial inequality in this country. He also hosted a MLK Day March for student-athletes in Ypsilanti. The celebration consisted of both an in-person march and virtual panel discussion.
Due in part to his leadership, EMU Athletics was able to send five student-athletes and an administrator to the Black Student-Athlete Summit this summer, and upon returning Speights developed a Black Student-Athlete organization on campus.
Furthermore, he has twice been honored by the American Football Coaches Association as a watch list member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of the most coveted community service awards in college football.
EMU season tickets are on sale in anticipation for the fall, as fans will have the opportunity to pick their seat inside the stadium. The "fan-friendly" 2022 schedule features six home games, five will be played before the month of October concludes. Furthermore, Eastern will defend the gray turf for four-of-six games between Sept. 24 and Oct. 29.
Eastern Michigan continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for just $144. This package includes a wide chairback with armrests on the 50-yard line along with VIP season parking. Chairback Season Tickets are $108 and include a chairback in Reserved Sections 104-109.
Reserved Season Tickets are just $99 (Reserved Sections 104-109), while General Admission Season Tickets are $75 (Sections 110-114 and the visiting side).
Tickets are on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
About the Wuerrfel Trophy
Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their impact, and inspire greater service in the world. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback, and renowned humanitarian Danny Wuerffel, whose life mission is to inspire greater service in the world. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the Gators' first National Football Championship as the team's star quarterback. The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner set 17 NCAA and Florida records and won a myriad of other awards including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, and The William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation's top scholar-athlete. As a nationally recognized humanitarian, Wuerffel inspires leaders to use their influence to make a positive Impact and currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation.
Nomination Criteria
Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities' Sports Information Departments and will close October 14. An up-to-date list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophyorg beginning Aug. 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 1, and finalists will be announced on Nov. 22.
Named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented each February in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.
"I continue to be impressed with the number of college football players who are achieving on the field and still dedicating time to make a positive impact in their community," said Wuerffel. "The student-athletes on this watch list are positively impacting organizations throughout the country."
Off the field, Speights helped organize a voter registration drive at EMU to get students out to vote. The goal was to challenge every eligible member of Eastern's varsity teams to be registered to vote. Additionally, he helped organize a Black Lives Matter rally that involved both athletic departments of EMU and Michigan. The rally was about student-athletes using their platform as college athletes, opening eyes, sharing a cause, and bringing awareness to racial inequality in this country. He also hosted a MLK Day March for student-athletes in Ypsilanti. The celebration consisted of both an in-person march and virtual panel discussion.
Due in part to his leadership, EMU Athletics was able to send five student-athletes and an administrator to the Black Student-Athlete Summit this summer, and upon returning Speights developed a Black Student-Athlete organization on campus.
Furthermore, he has twice been honored by the American Football Coaches Association as a watch list member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of the most coveted community service awards in college football.
EMU season tickets are on sale in anticipation for the fall, as fans will have the opportunity to pick their seat inside the stadium. The "fan-friendly" 2022 schedule features six home games, five will be played before the month of October concludes. Furthermore, Eastern will defend the gray turf for four-of-six games between Sept. 24 and Oct. 29.
Eastern Michigan continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for just $144. This package includes a wide chairback with armrests on the 50-yard line along with VIP season parking. Chairback Season Tickets are $108 and include a chairback in Reserved Sections 104-109.
Reserved Season Tickets are just $99 (Reserved Sections 104-109), while General Admission Season Tickets are $75 (Sections 110-114 and the visiting side).
Tickets are on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
About the Wuerrfel Trophy
Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their impact, and inspire greater service in the world. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback, and renowned humanitarian Danny Wuerffel, whose life mission is to inspire greater service in the world. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the Gators' first National Football Championship as the team's star quarterback. The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner set 17 NCAA and Florida records and won a myriad of other awards including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, and The William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation's top scholar-athlete. As a nationally recognized humanitarian, Wuerffel inspires leaders to use their influence to make a positive Impact and currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation.
Nomination Criteria
Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities' Sports Information Departments and will close October 14. An up-to-date list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophyorg beginning Aug. 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 1, and finalists will be announced on Nov. 22.
Players Mentioned
LB
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