Dec. 10, 2009

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - SMU has nominated Mustang linebacker Chase Kennemer for the Rudy Award, it was announced today by The Rudy Foundation 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Kennemer suffered a lower back injury and needed second and third opinions to allow him to continue his career while in high school. Doctors had been concerned his injury was such that he would have lifelong back pain if he continued to play. Nonetheless, Kennemer come to SMU in 2006 and saw action primarily on special teams for two seasons. In late 2008, he got the start at UTEP in place of a suspended Mustang. Kennemer responded with a blocked punt and an 11-tackle effort against the Miners and has never looked back. Kennemer was voted a captain this season by his teammates and earned first-team All-C-USA honors. He has tallied a team-best 126 stops with 10.5 for-loss in 2009, while adding a sack, two interceptions, three pass break-ups and four fumble recoveries.

Three Rudy Award finalists will be chosen by the Selection Committee, as well as through fan voting, and honored at a breakfast to be held in conjunction with the American Football Coaches Convention on January 11, 2010, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, in Orlando, FL. Rudy Ruettiger will personally present the award.

Fans can review nominations and place their votes from December 4-15 for the most deserving player here.

Forty-nine of the 120 Division I FBS football programs and all Division I FBS Conferences were represented in the nominations for the Award, which honors student-athletes who demonstrate exemplary character, courage, contribution and commitment as members of their collegiate football teams. These same traits were immortalized in the blockbuster film "Rudy" in 27 seconds and against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, enabling Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger to carve his name into college football lore.

Finalists will be announced December 16 and listed on www.CollegeRudyAwards.com.