“Like all the awards he [Dan] has received, this is well deserved,” said Head Football Coach Greg Debeljak. “Dan and the Case Western Reserve football team have brought great pride to the University through their accomplishments on and off the field. Winning the Gagliardi would only solidify his place as one of the all-time best at this level and his position.”

The Gagliardi Trophy has become one of the leading collegiate football awards and is widely recognized as the premier individual award in Division III football, honoring excellence in athletics, academics and community service.

The 17th annual Gagliardi award will be presented on Thursday, December 17, in Salem, Va., as part of the festivities leading up to the Division III National Championship game played in Salem on Saturday, December 19.

Whalen, fresh off of being named the University Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive time, led the Spartans to 31 consecutive regular season wins, three straight perfect seasons [10-0, 3-0 UAA], three straight UAA titles and three straight NCAA postseasons. The Spartans fell in round one of the NCAA playoffs last Saturday to Trine University.

“It just goes to show you that hard work pays off,” said Whalen. “Even though we didn’t pull out a win last week, this could put a great cap on my college career.”

Whalen, who started 41 collegiate games, ended his career as the Spartans’ all-time leading passer (742-of-1,209; 9,720 yards; 87 passing TDs; 21 running TDs). He finished the 2009 season 247-for-361 for 3,340 yards and 34 touchdowns. Whalen also ran the ball 68 times for 199 yards and six touchdowns.

The English major is currently interning with the Cleveland Browns as a game-day media relations representative. Two summers ago, he interned with Sports Illustrated in New York. Whalen has been a leader in the community each of the last three years during the annual Case for Community Day Sports Clinic, teaching children from local schools about good sportsmanship while playing football with them.

Courtesy Case Western Reserve University Sports Information