LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky senior punter Landon Foster has been named one of eight semifinalists for the 2015 Wuerffel Trophy, annually presented to the nation’s top community servant, it was announced on Tuesday morning by the Fort Walton Beach All-Sports Association.
A native of Franklin, Tenn., Foster is the only Southeastern Conference representative among the eight semifinalists. A four-year starter, Foster is also a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, given to the nation’s top scholar athlete, and is a member of the American Football Coaches Association All-State Good Works Team. He is also a candidate for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter.
Foster has set the standard with his work in the community, using his platform as a student-athlete to consistently positively affect others. In 2014, Foster was chosen to represent UK football in a week-long service trip to Ethiopia, where he interacted with residents of impoverished communities, visited imprisoned men, helped widows, cared for orphans and helped renovate houses.
He was so moved by the experience he returned to Kentucky and started sponsoring Dejene, a 16-year-old boy who he befriended on the streets of Ethiopia. He sent money for four months to help pay for Dejene’s food, clothing, shelter and schooling until he was adopted by a family in the United States.
Foster has also volunteered at the Indian Summer Camp, which is a cancer survivor camp for kids ages 6-18 and spent time at local elementary schools. Foster has also volunteered to help UK students move into their dorms on move-in day, packed backpacks for “Bucks for Backpacks” program, sorted food at God’s Pantry Foodbank, took blankets to Kentucky Children’s Hospital and served “Breakfast with Santa” during Christmas break, helping Santa pass out presents.
Recently, Foster volunteered at UK’s largest student-run philanthropy, DanceBlue, which raised more than $1.1 million for pediatric cancer research.
In the classroom, Foster, an Academic All-America selection in 2014, sports a 3.97 cumulative grade point average as a double major in finance and marketing.
Kentucky will return to action on Saturday traveling to face Georgia in a 12 p.m. ET kickoff live on the SEC Network and on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists
Spencer Drango , Baylor University, senior, offensive line
Ross Martin, Duke University, senior, kicker
Nate Sudfeld, Indiana University, senior, quarterback
Landon Foster, University of Kentucky, senior, punter
Garrett Adcock, University of New Mexico, junior, offensive line
Corey Robinson, University of Notre Dame, junior, wide receiver
Ty Darlington, University of Oklahoma, senior, offensive line
Alex Zmolik, University of Toledo, senior, tight end
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