VARSITY ATHLETICS

December 02, 2008

The Dan Whalen Top Ten List...

Dear Fans,

The Case Western Reserve University sports information department would like to encourage you to vote for Spartans quarterback Dan Whalen to become this year’s recipient of the Gagliardi Trophy.

Dan has been chosen as one of ten Division III players who are eligible to receive the ultimate award for a student-athlete competing at this level. The Gagliardi Trophy honors the student-athlete who displays the highest level of excellence in athletics, academics and community service.

Click here to vote for Dan Whalen.

In case there is any doubt, below are the top ten reasons why Dan Whalen deserves your vote (courtesy of the home office in University Circle)…

10. BORN WINNER – It only took two quarters of football before then-freshman Dan Whalen got the chance to take his first snap. In the 2006-07 season opener, the Spartans were trailing Oberlin College 17-6 when Whalen was called off the bench to give the Spartans a spark. Whalen would go on to score three touchdowns, including a game-winning leap into the end zone in overtime to give Case Western Reserve University a 29-23 win. “I thought I would get in a series or two, but never thought I would be in when the game was on the line,” said Whalen. “I’m glad the coaches believed in me.”

9. TOUCHDOWN MAKER – In his 31 career games, Whalen has amassed 68 total touchdowns (53 passing, 15 rushing), which averages out to over two scores a game.

8. RECORD BREAKER – Whalen completed 21 passes in the Spartans playoff game against Wabash College giving him 495 career completions and breaking the school’s all-time mark (490, Eli Grant). He has also racked up 6,380 passing yards in his career, leaving him only 413 yards away from breaking that record (6,792, Eli Grant). His numbers are even more glaring when you consider his senior year is still to come.

7. MAKES HEADLINES…AND WRITES THEM – Whalen is an English major, and is positioning himself to begin a career in journalism after graduation. Last summer, Dan went to New York to intern with Sports Illustrated. One of Case Western Reserve University’s most heralded English professors, award-winning journalist Ted Gup, calls Dan “one of the better students I have had here, and that’s saying something, because I’ve had some good ones.”

6. BIG TIME BLOGGER – This semester Dan was given the opportunity to write a blog on FanNation.com, part of the SI.com network, chronicling his team’s experiences throughout the season. His latest blog can be read here.

5. SPIRIT FOR SERVICE – During the annual Case for Community Day Sports Clinic, hundreds of children spend the day with our student-athletes. Dan has been a leader at the event, teaching the youngsters about sportsmanship as well as basic throwing mechanics. Dan makes the lessons fun, and so manages to put a smile on each child’s face.

4. EFFICIENCY IS KEY – One of Whalen’s individual goals on the gridiron is to be the most efficient quarterback he can be. This season, Whalen had a 148.51 efficiency rating which was the highest among quarterbacks in the University Athletic Association and 23rd in the nation. Whalen threw 17 touchdown passes this season and only five interceptions. His completion percentage was 61.5 percent. “His decision making is one of his most impressive attributes,” said head coach Greg Debeljak.

3. CONFERENCE MVP…TWICE – For the second year in a row, Dan has been named University Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year. During those two seasons, the Spartans have yet to lose a regular season game and have scored 34.1 and 37.2 points-per-game. The team totaled 56 touchdowns this year, and scored 416 total points – both are school records.

2. GOOD SPORT – Just days after losing to Wabash College 20-17 in heartbreaking fashion, Whalen sent a letter to Wabash’s head football coach Erik Raeburn showing his respect for the Little Giants football program. Wabash was so overwhelmed with the maturity Dan showed in defeat that they posted his letter on their website and wrote an article about him. Click here to read.

1. AND BY THE WAY… – It’s rumored Tim Tebow has a poster of Dan Whalen on his wall.

Posted by: Creg Jantz December 2, 2008 02:21 PM | Category: Football

Posted by: cnj4 (Creg Jantz) December 2, 2008 02:21 PM | Comments (0) | Trackback