COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Ithaca College senior quarterback A.J. Wingfield has been selected as one of 15 student-athletes to be recognized as a semifinalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy, presented by Jostens, which honors the most outstanding player in Division III. The Saint John's University J-Club announced their semifinalists on November 22.

The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's University legendary head football coach who retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history.

Wingfield, who is just the second semifinalist in program history, has guided Ithaca to a perfect 11-0 record and more than 40 points a game so far this season and a top 10 national ranking heading into the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship. The Franklin Lakes, N.J. native has already been named Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year and to Liberty League First Team.

Wingfield is one of the most accurate and efficient quarterbacks in Division III this season, as he ranks seventh in completion percentage at .702 and interceptions thrown with four. Through 11 games this season, Wingfield has thrown for 1803 yards on 170-of-242 passes for 17 touchdowns. He has also run for 202 yards and three more scores.

In two seasons as the starting quarterback for the Bombers, Wingfield owns an overall of 19-2 with 4186 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. He has completed more than 70 percent of his passes in more than 540 attempts and has seven career rushing touchdowns.

The Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be announced during a live show on Wednesday, Dec. 7, on D3football.com. Hosts Pat Coleman and Frank Rossi will profile the finalists during the program. The 2022 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be revealed on D3football.com during the week of the NCAA Division III football national championship on Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. CT. In the lead up to the announcement of the 2022 Gagliardi Trophy winner, D3football.com and the J-Club Twitter account (@JClubSJU) will provide updates on specific dates and times of the announcement.

The J-Club and Jostens awarded the 2021 Gagliardi Trophy to Central senior quarterback Blaine Hawkins.

Nominations were submitted by colleges across the country, and the semifinalists were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. The Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee is comprised of 18 Division III coaches (three from each NCAA Region), six Division III administrators (one from each region), twelve regional notable voters (two from each region), and eight national voters with Division III backgrounds. A fan vote, which runs until Dec. 3, will be live soon on D3football.com.

No J-Club members vote as part of the national selection committee.
 

About Jostens
Founded in 1897 and based in Minneapolis, Minn., Jostens is a trusted partner in the academic and achievement channel, providing products, programs and services that help its customers celebrate important moments. The company's products comprise yearbooks, publications, jewelry and consumer goods that serve the K-12 educational, college and professional sports segments.

About Saint John's University J-Club
Founded in 1959, the Saint John's University J-Club is a dues-based booster organization of former Johnnie student-athletes, parents and fans, and plays a key role in support of the SJU varsity programs, intramurals and club sports. Saint John's is a private liberal arts college for men located in Collegeville, Minn.