IRVING, Texas – Senior quarterback Thomas Burke III (West Leechburg, Pa. / Leechburg) has been nominated as one of the 178 semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy®. Burke is among the 33 selections from NCAA Division III and one of five honorees from the Presidents' Athletic Conference.

Celebrating its 36th 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. The candidates come from across all NCAA divisions as well as the NAIA.

The William V. Campbell Trophy® hosts a list of candidates selected by the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame (NFF) which are chosen by their schools who can only select one nominee per season. Each candidate has to be a senior who finishes their last year of eligibility in the 2025 season or a graduate student who has earned a degree and participating this season; boast at least a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; display outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor; and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

Burke has appeared in 26 games for Waynesburg and has thrown for 866 yards and eight touchdowns as a Jacket and is a two-time selection for the Fall PAC Academic Honor Roll. Burke is also heavily involved on the campus, being President of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) as well as a member of the Chemistry Honor Society.

The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, 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 36th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.