Renkart Honored at National Football Foundation Dinner
Dec 05 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers senior linebacker Brandon Renkart was the recipient of the Robert A. Simms National Scholar-Athlete Award, presented at the 60th annual National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Awards Dinner on Dec. 4 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
The award for Renkart was endowed by Robert Simms, a former
Renkart was one of 15 national football scholar-athletes honored at the gala event, which also inducted 12 former stellar players and two legendary head coaches into its Hall of Fame. A sellout crowd of nearly 2,000 packed the hotel's ballroom for the evening's festivities.
A former walk-on from Piscataway High School, Renkart worked his way through the Rutgers football program to become a two-year starter for the Scarlet Knights. He has been described by head coach Greg Schiano as "the consummate student-athlete throughout his career at Rutgers." Renkart, a team captain, has registered 44 tackles this season, including six tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He was also voted by his teammates as a member of the team's leadership council, and will help lead the Scarlet Knights to their third bowl game in as many years, when the face Ball State in the International Bowl on Jan. 5, 2008, in Toronto, Canada.
Renkart has also excelled academically as a Civil Engineering major. Renkart is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma National Athletic Fraternity as well as the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. The two-time All-Big East Academic Team selection has registered Dean's List recognition seven of his eight semesters, and currently ranks fourth in his class in civil engineering.
In addition, Renkart is a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and participates in Rutgers' community outreach program. He has visited local elementary schools and children's hospitals. A volunteer speaker at football clinics, he also serves as a mentor for area school systems.
Renkart became Rutgers' fifth-ever NFF National Scholar-Athlete, and followed in the footsteps of former Scarlet Knights' great, fullback Brian Leonard, who was the recipient of the Draddy Award in 2006.
Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the Annual Awards Dinner were Oklahoma center Tom Brahaney, Michigan defensive back Dave Brown (posthumously), Clemson linebacker Jeff Davis, Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie, Texas defensive back Johnnie Johnson, Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern, Oregon WR-RB Ahmad Rashad, Indiana running back Anthony Thompson, Houston defensive lineman Wilson Whitley (posthumously), Dartmouth linebacker Reggie Williams, Southern California linebacker Richard Wood, Notre Dame defensive tackle Chris Zorich, Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, and Central Michigan head coach Joe Paterno. Rhonda Brown and Norma Whitley represented their late husbands.
Also honored were Heisman Trophy standouts Pete Dawkins of Army and Roger Staubach of Navy, co-recipients of the NFF's Gold Medal award. War hero and inspirational Notre Dame running back Rocky Bleier was presented the Distinguished American Award.
