Vote for Cortland QB as most outstanding in Division III
12/06/2021
Cortland senior quarterback Brees Segala has been announced as one of 15 semifinalists for the 28th Gagliardi Trophy.
The award (pronounced Gah-LAR-dee) is presented by Jostens and the J-Club of Saint John's University (Minn.) to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III.
The award is voted on by the 40-member Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee that includes Division III coaches, administrators, notable regional voters and national voters with Division III backgrounds. Fan balloting, which is available on D3football.com, accounts for one collective “41st” ballot. Fans may cast one ballot per device through 1 p.m. on Dec. 9.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, legendary Hall of Fame head football coach at Saint John’s who passed away in 2018 at age 91. He retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history.
Segala is among a group of 12 quarterbacks, two wide receivers and one defensive back/punter/returner on the list of semifinalists, 11 of whom participated in the NCAA Division III tournament first round. The group will be narrowed to four finalists, who will be announced during a live show on Thursday, Dec. 9, on D3football.com. The 2021 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be revealed on D3football.com during the week of the NCAA Division III football national championship on Friday, Dec. 17.
The Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year, Segala completed 164-of-240 passes (68.3 percent) for 2,144 yards, 29 touchdowns and just four interceptions, along with 85 rushes for 344 yards and five scores, in 10 regular-season games. He also completed 12-of-19 passes for 231 yards and a TD and ran for 32 yards in Cortland’s 26-21 win over Springfield in the NCAA first round. Cortland lost to RPI in the second round, 21-14, on Saturday, Nov. 27.
Segala is a sport management major at Cortland with a 3.51 cumulative grade point average entering the 2021 fall semester. He is Cortland’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president, and he has participated in a number of campus/community events, including the Yards for Yeardley Walk in 2018 and 2019, Take Back the Night Walk in 2018 and the Cortland Athletics Community Leaf Raking in 2018. He’s also been a Sunday Nights Lights Football Coach volunteer in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Cortland has had two previous Gagliardi Trophy finalists — quarterback (and current Cincinnati Bengals QB coach) Dan Pitcher ’10, M ’11 in 2011 and defensive lineman Adam Haas ’07 in 2006 — under a previous format where 10 players were recognized with that title.
Segala tied Pitcher’s single-season school record with 31 touchdown passes and set a new program mark with a 176.9 pass efficiency rating through the 2021 season.
The 15 semifinalists for the 2021 Gagliardi Trophy are:
- Ian Blankenship, Sr., RB, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Jefferson Fritz, Sr., DB/P/RET, Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Cody Gustafson, Sr., WR, Grove City
- Blaine Hawkins, Sr., QB, Central (Iowa)
- Michael Hnatkowsky, Sr., QB, Muhlenberg
- Tucker Horn, Jr., QB, Trinity (Texas)
- Tyler Jarnagin, Sr., QB, Benedictine
- Kyle Jones, Sr., QB, Hardin-Simmons
- Andrew Kamienski, Sr., WR, North Central (Ill.)
- Max Meylor, Sr., QB, Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Braxton Plunk, Jr., QB, Mount Union
- Jaran Roste, Jr., QB, Bethel
- Brees Segala, Sr., QB, Cortland
- Wyatt Smith, Sr., QB, Linfield
- Gavin Zimbelman, Sr., QB, Aurora
Cortland football fans, did you know that the 2022 Cortaca Jug game will be played at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022? Tickets are on sale now through CortacaJug.com.
Alumni planning on going to the game can learn more about gatherings and hotel information on RedDragonNetwork.org. The kickoff party at Stout NYC on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022 is free. Those planning to attend are asked to register in advance. A pregame gathering at Billy’s Sports Bar across from Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12 is expected to sell out quickly. Learn more and reserve your spot today.
More News
Cortland Challenge 2024 is April 17
Supporters get even more gift match opportunities this year to help their favorite Cortland cause.
Dowd Gallery presents Student Select 2024
Fifty art students compete for the top prize, to be announced Wednesday, in this annual, juried exhibition.
SUNY Cortland recognized for election encouragement
For a second time, the university is honored for its voter education, registration and turnout efforts.
Transfer students inducted into honor society
Forty-five SUNY Cortland transfer students were inducted into Tau Sigma National Honor Society.
Student research showcased at Transformations
The annual spring conference is a chance to highlight academic excellence on campus.
SUNY Cortland senior earns EOP’s highest honor
Katelyn Thompson will receive a Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence.
The Big Event Returns April 21
The SGA will follow up on the campus-wide activity during Cortland’s spring administrative meeting on April 22.
Fish conservation research presented by students
Three interns were part of federal and state efforts to save the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Make a Difference Day returns for campus spring cleaning
After more than a decade of dormancy, the annual volunteer campus cleanup will return on Arbor Day.
Special Olympics club aims high
Cortland Stars Club members train athletes with disabilities.