Curry Named Lott Trophy Finalist
Wake linebacker invited to awards ceremony in California

Dec. 1, 2008

Wake Forest senior linebacker Aaron Curry has been named one of four finalists for the fifth annual Lott Trophy.

Curry, a 6-3, 247-pound strong side linebacker, leads Wake Forest with 101 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He has 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and an interception this season.

Curry was highly recommended by his head coach, Jim Grobe, defensive coordinator, Brad Lambert, and Wake Forest academic counselor Hunter Willard.

"He is not only an outstanding football player but more importantly a great person," says Grobe.

"It has been an honor to be along for the ride this young man is leading our team on," says Lambert.

Adds Willard, "I can say that he is one of the most passionate and determined student athletes at Wake Forest."

The winner will be announced at a black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif. on Dec. 14.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its fifth year, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the Lott award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.

The other finalists are James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, Brian Orakpo of Texas and Myron Rolle of Florida State.

Each finalist receives $5,000 for his school's general scholarship fund and the university of the winner receives $25,000.

This year's banquet is sold out. The keynote speaker will be long-time college football announcer Keith Jackson.