Dec. 22, 2008
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes released today the three finalists for the sixth annual Bobby Bowden Award and University of Illinois senior Ryan McDonald is among them. McDonald is a 2008 Draddy Finalist with a 3.81 GPA and is working on a graduate degree in aerospace engineering.
McDonald was a four-year starter for the Illini on the offensive line, tying the school record for most career starts with 48. He also has led an offense that led the Big Ten in rushing in 2006 and 2007 and in passing in 2008. McDonald has been a part of an offensive line that broke the school record for rushing and total offense in 2007 and topped 5,000 yards of total offense twice in his four years (and only the third and fourth time in school history).
Off the field, McDonald has led the Illinois team and all male athletes in highest GPA for three straight years. He also graduated with highest honors from the nationally ranked aerospace engineering program. He has been instrumental in the Illinois chapter of the FCA with weekly bible studies and organized a team for the 2008 MS Walk. He raised over $1500 in honor of his mother, Jan, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.
The other two finalists are Marcus Freeman from Ohio State University and Stephen McGee of Texas A&M. Freeman is four-year letterman at Ohio State with a 3.35 GPA and currently working on a graduate degree in education. McGee made the 2008 First Team Academic All Big 12 Team and graduated in 3.5 years in Business Marketing with a 3.2 GPA
The award recognizes the Division 1A football player who epitomizes the student-athlete who conducts himself as a faith model in the community, in the classroom and on the field. Nominees must have a 3.0 GPA or better. He must also have the backing of his school's Athletic Director and Head Football coach. The award is named after Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden.
The 2008 Bobby Bowden Award winner will be announced at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast at the Allstate Bowl Championship Series game site in Miami on January 6, 2009. Past winners are:
| 2003 | | Jason Wright | | Northwestern University |
| 2004 | | Billy Bajema | | Oklahoma State University |
| 2005 | | D. J. Shockley | | University of Georgia |
| 2006 | | Carl Pendleton | | University of Oklahoma |
| 2007 | | Jacob Tamme | | University of Kentucky |
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a faith-based non-profit organization, which oversees huddles (clubs) in junior highs, high schools and colleges. Since 1954 FCA has used successful men/women in athletics as role models as a means of influencing America's youth.
