The Heisman Trophy is an award that is annually presented to the outstanding college football player of the year in the United States. Named for sportswriter John Heisman, the trophy is an icon of American sport and is one of the greatest honors any college athlete can receive.
The trophy was established in 1935 and has been presented each year since to the top player in the college football season. The awardees are chosen based on performance both on and off the field. Factors such as individual performance, team success, and character are taken into account when selecting a winner.
The Heisman Trophy is awarded by the Heisman Trust, which consists of members of the Downtown Athletic Club of New York, or DAC. The DAC was founded in 1930 and is the oldest athletic club in the US. It was at DAC that the Heisman Trophy was created and awarded for the first time.
The Heisman Trophy is an iconic bronze figure of a football player making a stiff-armed run. It stands at 34 inches high and weighs 25 pounds. It was designed by sculptor Frank Eliscu, who modeled the figure after 1935 New York University player Ed Smith. The trophy is supported by a football on a pyramid-shaped base and a sculpted stone base.
The Heisman Trust has established certain rules for eligibility for the award. The contenders must have completed half of their teams scheduled games, have Senior status and, of course, have outstanding on-field performance.
To further honor their achievements, each year the Heisman Trust chooses a number of players to be semifinalists. The semifinalists are chosen by regional representatives who follow the season and vote on players within their region. Once the semifinalists are chosen, the Trust then chooses the finalists.
The Heisman Trust then invites all of the finalists and their families to New York City to attend an award presentation at the annual Heisman Trophy Dinner. Before the award is officially given, the finalists are allowed to make a speech and are introduced to the audience. The winners name is usually a surprise, but usually the players know beforehand who will win.
Once the winner is announced, the trophy is presented by the Trust in front of the audience and the winner is given the opportunity to speak. The presentation always includes five original Heisman statues, which are taken along for the awarding ceremony.
The trophy is one of the most prestigiously honored and recognizable athletic awards in the world. Winning the Heisman Trophy is considered an honor that gives the recipient national recognition and is a treasured lifetime accomplishment.
The Heisman Trophy serves as an inspiration for young, aspiring athletes and provides an invaluable example of the rewards that can come through hard work, dedication, and exemplary conduct.
