Utah Utes football: Sakoda gets $18,000 postgrad scholarship

Utah All-American kicker/punter Louie Sakoda has been awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Sakoda is one of 15 National Scholar-Athletes honored. He joins a field of others, including Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel and Rhodes Scholar semifinalist Casey Gerald of Yale, as candidates for the 2008 Draddy Trophy. The winner, whose scholarship will be increased to $25,000 will be announced at the annual NFF Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

It's a huge honor, Sakoda said. I've been getting (noticed) for what I do on the field, but I work just as hard — even harder — in the classroom.

The Draddy Award is presented each year to a senior who is successful in athletics, academics, leadership and citizenship.

"That's awesome," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "I think he deserves everything he gets."

Sakoda is a finance and management major with a 3.73 grade point average. He's the vice-president of Utah's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has worked with groups that organize activities for at-risk children, raise money for humanitarian efforts around the world and battles drunk driving.

Sakoda joins offensive tackle Mel Carpenter (1964) as Utah's only Draddy Trophy finalists.