Lewis Earns National Scholar-Athlete Recognition

Oct. 26 - (MORRISTOWN, N.J.) – Selected as the best and the brightest from the college gridiron, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) today announced the 17 members of the 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class, who will vie as the finalists for the Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth. Carnegie Mellon's senior defensive back Aaron Lewis (Englewood, Ohio/Northmont) is one of two Division III players on the list of 17.

As described in the national release by the NFF, Lewis epitomizes the term "scholar-athlete" and has earned his share of awards and accolades both academically and athletically. Carnegie Mellon Head Coach Rich Lackner refers to Lewis as "the consummate team player" who is "the best I have ever coached."

A Business Administration major, Lewis earned ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-America honors in 2005. A recipient of the Presidential Scholarship, he has twice been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District team, regularly appears on the Carnegie Mellon University Dean's List with high honors, and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

A three-time First Team All-Conference performer, Lewis has led his team in tackles for three consecutive seasons and is on track to do the same this year. He already has three interceptions and three forced fumbles this season, contributing to the undefeated Tartans squad. Named UAA Rookie of the Year in 2003, Lewis has been selected as a 2006 Pre-Season First Team All-America by numerous publications. A tireless performer, he has started every game of his collegiate career.

A 2006 team captain, Lewis is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and volunteers with the local chapter of Big Brothers & Big Sisters. He serves as an assistant treasurer for the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and assists a youth advisor in activities for a local synagogue. Lewis becomes the second National Scholar-Athlete for the Tartans, joining 1987 honoree Bryan Roessler.

Each of the finalists will receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship, and one of the 17 will be announced as the recipient of the 2006 Draddy Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and increases the winner's scholarship to a total of $25,000.

The winner will be announced at the 49th NFF Awards Dinner on December 5 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. See the full list of finalists for the Draddy Trophy on the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Web site.