IRVING, Texas  – Nicholls State University running back Collin Guggenheim has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced Wednesday. 

Guggenheim is one of a record number of 203 semifinalists for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award. The new highwater mark eclipses the 201 nominees in 2023. The impressive list of candidates, from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, boasts an impressive 3.63 average GPA, with more than half of the semifinalists having already earned their bachelor's degrees. Also representing the Southland Conference are Lamar's Robert Coleman and Texas A&M University-Commerce's Jewelz-Unique Demps.
 
Celebrating its 35th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. 
 
A two-time All-Southland First Team selection at running back, Guggenheim graduated cum laude this spring with a degree in human performance education and is currently pursuing a Master's in Education K-12 Leadership.  His community efforts include founding the Special Olympics chapter in Thibodaux and organizing an event that raised over $60,000 in first year. He also works with Bridge to Independence at Nicholls which is a program for students with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder, Coaches and visits CARES program at local high school E.D. White, Upside Downs, Ainsley's Angels, and visits local schools for Red Out Fridays.

On the field, Guggenheim has moved up to No. 2 on the Colonels' all-time rushing list with 2,796 career yards. Earleir this season at No. 18 LSU, Guggenheim rushed for 145 yards for his 10th career 100-yard effort.

The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 23, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 10, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 35th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.