TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Football senior Viliami "Laiu" Moeakiola has been named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy and the 25th Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Award, announced the respective associations on Wednesday.
The Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually by the All Sports Association in Fort Walton Beach Florida, is a national award that honors the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team award, which was established in 1992 to recognize a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to service and enriching the lives of others.
Moeakiola, who was a co-captain in 2015, often joins teammates in donating time to the community, including hospital visits, youth camps and visiting nearby high schools. In 2016, the former linebacker will make the change to safety after starting in all 12 games during his redshirt junior season, totaling 51 tackles (33 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also recorded an interception, five pass breakups, six pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
The redshirt senior has been recognized for his capabilities on and off the field the past two seasons, earning Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2015 and All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2014.
Former Sun Devil quarterback Mike Bercovici was a nominee for the trophy in 2015 while Taylor Kelly was one of the 12 finalist in 2014.
2016 Sun Devil Award Watch Lists
Maxwell Award (America's College Player of the Year) – Demario Richard
Chuck Bednarik Award (College Defensive Player of the Year) – Salamo Fiso
John Mackey Award (Most Outstanding Tight End) – Kody Kohl
Ray Guy Award (Nation's Best Collegiate Punter) – Matt Haack
Lou Groza Award (Nation's Top Placekicker) – Zane Gonzalez
Bronko Nagurski Award (Nation's Defensive Player of the Year) – Salamo Fiso
Outland Trophy (Nation's Most Outstanding Interior Lineman) – Tashon Smallwood
Butkus Award (Nation's Best Linebacker) – Salamo Fiso
Wuerffel Trophy (Exemplary Community Service) – Viliami Moeakiola
Allstate AFCA Good Hands Award (Commitment to Service) – Viliami Moeakiola
New Season Tickets for the 2016 Season
Secure your spot in Sun Devil Stadium. Season ticket deposits for the 2016 Sun Devil Football season are available now at www.sundeviltickets.com or by calling 480-965-5812. Deposits are applied to the cost of the season ticket and current season ticket holders do not have to place a deposit. Sun Devil Football's 2016 campaign begins with back-to-back games at the new and improved Sun Devil Stadium on Sept. 3 against Northern Arizona and Sept. 10 against Big 12 foe Texas Tech. ASU's six-game home schedule also includes defending Pac-12 South Co-Champion Utah and fellow conference opponents UCLA, Cal and Washington State.
Join the conversation all season
Twitter: @FootballASU | Facebook: Sun Devil Football | Instagram: sundevilathletics
About the Wuerffel Trophy
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 3 and finalists will be announced on Nov. 24. Formal announcement of the winner will be on Dec. 8 at the National Football Foundation's press conference in New York City.
The presentation of the 2015 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 47th Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 12, 2016 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Award
For 25 years, the players selected have carried on the award's mission by demonstrating that 'good works' extend beyond the football field. This year's nominees uphold impressive service resumes detailing inspiring stories of servitude and the exceptional ability to balance academics with athletics, while donating their limited free time and energy to helping others.
In honor of the 25th anniversary, Allstate and the AFCA will add three additional spots to this year's team and announce a final roster of 25 members in September. For the first time in the award's history, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be comprised of 12 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, 12 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and an honorary head coach.
From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.®
With winning records and championships on the line each season, off-the-field service contributions can go overlooked. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® pays tribute to these stories of good and the student-athletes who have dedicated countless hours towards helping others. From donating bone marrow to save a stranger's life, to helping build a school in a rural village overseas, the players nominated to the 25th anniversary team have demonstrated a unique commitment to improving their communities.
Once the final team members are announced in September, fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain.
The Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually by the All Sports Association in Fort Walton Beach Florida, is a national award that honors the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team award, which was established in 1992 to recognize a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to service and enriching the lives of others.
Moeakiola, who was a co-captain in 2015, often joins teammates in donating time to the community, including hospital visits, youth camps and visiting nearby high schools. In 2016, the former linebacker will make the change to safety after starting in all 12 games during his redshirt junior season, totaling 51 tackles (33 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also recorded an interception, five pass breakups, six pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
The redshirt senior has been recognized for his capabilities on and off the field the past two seasons, earning Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2015 and All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2014.
Former Sun Devil quarterback Mike Bercovici was a nominee for the trophy in 2015 while Taylor Kelly was one of the 12 finalist in 2014.
2016 Sun Devil Award Watch Lists
Maxwell Award (America's College Player of the Year) – Demario Richard
Chuck Bednarik Award (College Defensive Player of the Year) – Salamo Fiso
John Mackey Award (Most Outstanding Tight End) – Kody Kohl
Ray Guy Award (Nation's Best Collegiate Punter) – Matt Haack
Lou Groza Award (Nation's Top Placekicker) – Zane Gonzalez
Bronko Nagurski Award (Nation's Defensive Player of the Year) – Salamo Fiso
Outland Trophy (Nation's Most Outstanding Interior Lineman) – Tashon Smallwood
Butkus Award (Nation's Best Linebacker) – Salamo Fiso
Wuerffel Trophy (Exemplary Community Service) – Viliami Moeakiola
Allstate AFCA Good Hands Award (Commitment to Service) – Viliami Moeakiola
New Season Tickets for the 2016 Season
Secure your spot in Sun Devil Stadium. Season ticket deposits for the 2016 Sun Devil Football season are available now at www.sundeviltickets.com or by calling 480-965-5812. Deposits are applied to the cost of the season ticket and current season ticket holders do not have to place a deposit. Sun Devil Football's 2016 campaign begins with back-to-back games at the new and improved Sun Devil Stadium on Sept. 3 against Northern Arizona and Sept. 10 against Big 12 foe Texas Tech. ASU's six-game home schedule also includes defending Pac-12 South Co-Champion Utah and fellow conference opponents UCLA, Cal and Washington State.
Join the conversation all season
Twitter: @FootballASU | Facebook: Sun Devil Football | Instagram: sundevilathletics
About the Wuerffel Trophy
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 3 and finalists will be announced on Nov. 24. Formal announcement of the winner will be on Dec. 8 at the National Football Foundation's press conference in New York City.
The presentation of the 2015 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 47th Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 12, 2016 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Award
For 25 years, the players selected have carried on the award's mission by demonstrating that 'good works' extend beyond the football field. This year's nominees uphold impressive service resumes detailing inspiring stories of servitude and the exceptional ability to balance academics with athletics, while donating their limited free time and energy to helping others.
In honor of the 25th anniversary, Allstate and the AFCA will add three additional spots to this year's team and announce a final roster of 25 members in September. For the first time in the award's history, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be comprised of 12 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, 12 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and an honorary head coach.
From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.®
With winning records and championships on the line each season, off-the-field service contributions can go overlooked. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® pays tribute to these stories of good and the student-athletes who have dedicated countless hours towards helping others. From donating bone marrow to save a stranger's life, to helping build a school in a rural village overseas, the players nominated to the 25th anniversary team have demonstrated a unique commitment to improving their communities.
Once the final team members are announced in September, fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain.