Central Michigan University Athletics
High Honor for CMU Standout Cooper Rush
11/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - A prestigious honor for an exemplary Central Michigan University student-athlete.
CMU quarterback Cooper Rush has been selected as a National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete. The organization announced its 12 winners today, Tuesday. Each was chosen from among a field of 156 candidates and will receive an $18,000 scholarship for his postgraduate education.
Rush is now a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which goes to college football's top scholar-athlete. Rush and the 11 other finalists will attend the organization's 59th annual awards dinner along with the 2016 College Football Hall of Fame class, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, in New York.
"It's a great honor, it's great for the program and to represent CMU," said Rush, who maintained a 3.86 grade point average while earning a bachelor of science degree in actuarial science. "I can remember as a little kid, my little brothers and I had to do our homework before we could throw the ball around or play baseball or anything like that while we were growing up.
"It was kind of instilled from a young age, you show up and you do your homework. It's always been a part of my life."
Rush is the first CMU player to receive the NFF National Scholar-Athlete since Bob Stebbins in 1987.
CMU coach John Bonamego announced to his team during a Tuesday morning meeting that Rush had earned the award. Rush, who is working toward a master's degree, received a standing ovation from his teammates.
"I'm very proud," Bonamego said. "I think maybe the only people that might be more proud are his mom and dad. It's a tremendous honor and it's really a great recognition for somebody who's done everything right, everything that's been asked of him on and off the field.
"It's a confirmation that if you work hard and you truly commit yourself that you can maximize your potential and there are no limits to what you can accomplish with hard work and determination. He's a tribute to our entire program and I'm very proud of him."
Rush, who moved into the starting lineup three games into his freshman year, has established himself as one of the very best signal-callers in program history.
He ranks second in passing yards, touchdown passes, total offense, pass attempts and pass completions. He is the NCAA active leader in passing yards and total offense.
Rush is a three-time Academic All-Mid-American Conference selection and in 2014 was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America Second Team.
He is on the watch list for every major award for which a college football player is eligible, including the Maxwell (player of the year), Unitas Golden Arm (top quarterback), Davey O'Brien (top quarterback) and Manning (top quarterback), and is an Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team nominee.
"I'm so happy for Cooper," said Dave Heeke, Central Michigan Associate Vice President/Athletics Director. "A National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award is among the most prestigious awards a college football player can earn because it takes into account on-field accomplishments and stellar academic work.
"We have a great history of outstanding student-athlete leaders, and Cooper stands among the very best at Central."
Rush has completed 59 percent of his passes this season for 2,533 yards and 21 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
The Chippewas play a Mid-American Conference game on Friday at Miami (Ohio). Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The Chippewas are 5-4 overall, 2-3 MAC; Miami is 3-6, 3-2.
