Colorado State University Athletics
Matthews recognized for community involvement
7/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
On Monday, Colorado State safety Trent Matthews was recognized for his on-the-field performance as a Jim Thorpe Award Watch List candidate, and on Wednesday, the senior was praised for his off-the-field involvement. Matthews was named a candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, two of college football's top community service awards.
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. It declares itself as college football's premier award for community service. Similarly, for 24 years, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has recognized college football players from across the country who exemplify a superior commitment to community service and volunteerism. The award looks for the "good" taking place off the football field by players who are able to balance academics and athletics while remaining committed to helping others and bettering their communities.
For the past three summers, Matthews has coached youth football through the City of Fort Collins summer camps. Not limited to just a coach, he has gone beyond the call of duty of his role, and now supervises the coaching of the entire camp, in addition to looking after kids during the camp and afterward. On several occasions, he has voluntarily stayed late when parents are running late, and has even provided food for kids to ensure safety and that they're taken care of.
During his time in Fort Collins, Matthews has regularly scheduled appearances on his own at several elementary and middle schools, including Laurel Elementary, where he befriended a fifth grader and makes visits about three times per month to mentor the youth and his friends. He additionally played a prominent role in the 2013 "adoption" of Jack Miller, an honorary team member thanks to a partnership with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, and has been instrumental in welcoming children with special needs to team practices and other functions through Respite Care of Fort Collins.
On the field, Matthews has started all 39 contests the Rams have played over the past three seasons. During his junior campaign, he recorded 54 tackles and tied for the team lead with three interceptions. He also had two field goal blocks, which tied for seventh-most among FBS players. The season captain was tabbed All-MW honorable mention. For his career, Matthews has been in on 194 tackles, eight interceptions, 21 pass breakups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. The native of Converse, Texas, is expected to graduate from CSU with a degree in liberal arts.
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a National Selection Committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients. The 78 players were nominated by university's sports information departments. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 3, with finalists being named Nov. 24. The winner will be announced Dec. 8 at the National Football Foundation's press conference in New York City.
Matthews is one of 77 FBS nominees for the 2015 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The number will be paired down to 11 in September, and from there, fans will have the chance to vote for the 2015 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain.
