Central Michigan University Athletics
Mr. Rush Heads to the Big Apple
12/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - A maroon and gold contingent will head to New York's famed Waldorf Astoria on Tuesday for what could be a historic night for Central Michigan football.
Cooper Rush could become the first Central Michigan student-athlete to receive the coveted William V. Campbell Trophy, which goes to the top scholar-athlete in college football, at the 59th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner.
Rush, CMU's senior quarterback, is one of 12 finalists for the prestigious award. He was named a NFF National Scholar-Athlete last month, becoming just the second such honoree in program history.
Bob Stebbins, a Second Team All-American as a Chippewa tight end, was the first, in 1987. Stebbins has gone on to a successful career and now is a partner at the Wilkie Farr and Gallagher law firm in New York.
Rush is scheduled to be accompanied to the black-tie dinner and banquet by his parents, Matt and Fran; CMU coach John Bonamego and his wife, Paulette; CMU Deputy Athletic Director Craig Willey; and Stebbins, a CMU teammate of Bonamego's.
"I think it's a great honor to be recognized and to be one of the 12 finalists," Bonamego said. "It shows that, truly, you can accomplish anything here at Central Michigan. To know that you've excelled in both areas, in the classroom and on the football field, it's a big deal. I'm very proud of him and, hopefully, we'll have other guys in the future who qualify for the same thing."
Rush, who earned a bachelor's degree in actuarial science with a 3.86 grade-point average, is a four-year starter and one of the nation's top quarterbacks. He was on the watch list for the Maxwell, Unitas, O'Brien and Manning awards, and was an Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team nominee.
He has completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 3,299 yards and 23 touchdowns against 13 interceptions this season. He ranks second in CMU history in touchdown passes, yards passing, total offense, passes completed and passes attempts.
