Nov. 1, 2016
Irving, Texas----- For the first time in the National Football Foundation's (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete program's 57-year history, a San Jose State University player will be honored in its annual scholar-athlete class and at its December 2016 New York City awards program.
Tim Crawley, a wide receiver from Santa Clara, Calif., is one of 12 football student-athletes from NCAA Divisions I, II and III and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) to be named to the NFF's 2016 National Scholar-Athlete Class, to receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and be a finalist for this year's William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments. The NFF and the College Football Hall of Fame awards the trophy to the "...best scholar-athlete in the nation."
Crawley graduated in May 2016 with magna cum laude honors. He majored in business management information systems as an undergraduate and is enrolled in the university's master's program in interdisciplinary studies while participating in his senior season with the Spartans. He was among 156 semifinalists named for this year's Campbell Trophy at the end of September.
CREDIT TO HIS MOM
"This (recognition) means so much to me. It's crazy how a lot of people were put up for this award and the pool narrowed down from 156 to 12. I'm honored to be in the running and be invited. It's a great honor," Crawley said soon after he learned of his selection.
"I have to give my mom (Stacey Tinker) a lot of credit. She got on me at an early age to put academics first and be serious in the classroom. She reinforced good habits from my childhood up until now. And, my teammates, my coaches and everyone who supported me through this time, it's an incredible feeling."
The 5-foot-7 native of Macon, Ga., is one of eight finalists that play in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). He is the only representative from a California-based university and the Mountain West, San Jose State's conference in football this year. Crawley is one of two listed as a wide receiver and one of six whose academic major is affiliated with a business administration curriculum.
To be nominated for the NFF's Campbell Trophy, a nominee must be in his final year of athletics eligibility, have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average, be a first-team player or significant contributor to his team and demonstrate leadership and strong citizenship. The average cumulative grade-point average of the 12 finalists is 3.69 on a 4.00 scale and all 12 are a team captain. Crawley is one of five already with a bachelor's degree.   In his four-plus college football seasons, Crawley ranks 10th on the San José State list for career receptions with 130. He was named a 2016 team captain and was a starting wide receiver in the Spartans' 2015 AutoNation Cure Bowl victory. One of the team's more versatile players, he also played running back and served as a punt and kickoff returner for the Spartans.
A MODEL STUDENT-ATHLETE
This season, the one-time walk-on football prospect from San José's Bellarmine Preparatory School currently leads the team in pass receiving with 34 receptions for 389 yards and two touchdowns. Crawley also has the Spartans' best yards per carry average at 7.1 and is one of four players sharing the team lead with four total touchdowns.
"My high school definitely prepared me for college well, taught me good study habits and how to manage my time," said Crawley, who plans to pursue a master's degree in business administration (MBA).
The NFF National Scholar-Athlete honor is his latest major academic award. He was a 2016 Arthur Ashe. Jr. Sports Scholar national semifinalist; a two-time Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar as named by Diverse Issues in Higher Education; a three-time San José State University Dean's Scholar, Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Mountain West award recipient; and a 2015 CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-District VIII honoree in football.
Crawley's community service involvement is equally impressive. He served as a campus housing summer move-in volunteer more than once, a football team volunteer with the Autism Tree Foundation, a participant in several play day activities for youngsters, recorded public service messages connected with the Veterans Day holiday and was a team representative for a visit to cancer patients at the Florida Hospital in conjunction with the 2015 AutoNation Cure Bowl.
"I'm so proud of Timmy, what he does, who he is on and off the field, and how he represents this program whether it is community service or in the classroom," said San José State football head coach Ron Caragher.
"You want to talk about a young man you want to use as an example for your younger players as a model student-athlete, Timmy Crawley is that person," the Spartans coach said in Crawley's original nomination materials.
A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY FOR THE AWARDS PROGRAM
The Campbell Trophy will be awarded Tuesday, December 6 at the NFF annual awards dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The winner will have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000 and receive the 25-pound bronze trophy.
"These young men have an unrelenting commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives, and they represent all that is right in college football. They serve as living examples of our mission of Building Leaders Through Football, and we are excited to honor their hard work and accomplishments with postgraduate scholarships," said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell in the organization's announcement of this year's National Scholar-Athlete Class.
2016 National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Class
| Scholar-Athlete, School | Position | Major | GPA |
| Chris Beaschler, Dayton | LB | Mechanical Engineering | 3.72 |
| Tim Crawley, San José State | WR | Business Management Information Systems | 3.78 |
| DeVon Edwards, Duke | S | Psychology | 3.35 |
| Brooks Ellis, Arkansas | LB | Exercise Science | 3.82 |
| Carter Hanson, Saint John's (Minn.) | LB | Business Leadership | 4.00 |
| Taysom Hill, BYU | QB | Finance | 3.45 |
| Ryan Janvion, Wake Forest | S | Business Management | 3.53 |
| Zay Jones, East Carolina | WR | Communications | 3.56 |
| Cooper Rush, Central Michigan | QB | Actuarial Science | 3.86 |
| Karter Schult, Northern Iowa | DL | Exercise Science | 3.87 |
| Tyler Sullivan, Delta State (Miss.) | QB | Biology | 3.68 |
| Zach Terrell, Western Michigan | QB | Finance | 3.66 |