Official Release

KENNESAW, Ga. – Redshirt junior quarterback Chandler Burks, who has helped lead Kennesaw State into the FCS Playoff quarterfinals this season, is one of 13 finalists for the 2017 STATS FCS Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
One individual from each of the 13 FCS conferences is nominated for the award that is named after the wife of legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson. In its third year, the annual award is presented to an FCS student-athlete who excels not only in the classroom, but in the community and beyond.
 
STATS will announce the winner on Monday (Dec. 11) and honor him at the FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas - on the eve of the national championship game.
 
Burks, who maintains a 3.88 grade-point average as a sports management major, has enjoyed a record-breaking season while leading Kennesaw State to a 12-1 overall record, Big South Conference championship and trip to Huntsville, Texas for a match-up against Sam Houston State in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (ET).
 
The Big South Conference's Offensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Burks became the first player in conference history to rush for 1,000 (1,060) yards and pass for 1,000 yards (1,187) in the same season. He also became the first 1,000-yard rusher in Kennesaw State history and has accounted for 25 touchdowns to break his previous school record of 22 set in 2016.
 
The Finalists:
Big Sky Conference: Andrew Vollert, Weber State, TE, Sr. (communication major, 3.34 GPA)

Big South Conference: Chandler Burks, Kennesaw State, QB, R-Jr. (sports management, 3.88)

CAA Football: Bryan Schor, James Madison, QB, Sr. (marketing with minor in communications, 3.134)

Ivy League: Justin Watson, Penn, WR, Sr. (finance, 3.45)

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference: Fidel Romo-Martinez, Delaware State, P, So. (biological science/health profession concentration, 4.0)

Missouri Valley Football Conference: Jake Wieneke, South Dakota State, WR, R-Sr. (physical education/teacher education, 3.62)

Northeast Conference: Andrew O'Neill, Sacred Heart, WR, Sr. (exercise science, 3.86)

Ohio Valley Conference: Justin Lea, Jacksonville State, OL, R-Sr. (graduate in emergency management and geography, 3.92; pursuing master's degree in public administration)

Patriot League: Alex Pechin, Bucknell, P, Jr. (biomedical engineering and management, 3.94)
Pioneer Football League: Max Michaels, San Diego, NB, R-Sr. (accounting, 3.95)

Southern Conference: Andy Schumpert, Furman, TE, Sr. (accounting, 3.77)

Southland Conference: Marlon Walls, Stephen F. Austin, S, Sr. (engineering physics with minor in mathematics, 4.00)

Southwestern Athletic Conference: Percy Cargo Jr., Grambling State, DB, Jr. (business management, 3.76)
 
Prior winners of the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award were Jacksonville State wide receiver Dalton Screws in 2015 and Eastern Kentucky quarterback Tyler Swafford in 2016.
 
STATS will also present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year) and Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) at next month's national banquet.
 
 Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it become the official home of Owls football team and is home to Owls soccer and lacrosse as well.
 
Keep up with Kennesaw State Athletics by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook. You also can follow Kennesaw State football at @KennesawSTFB and The Owls fund on Twitter at @TheOwlsFund.
 

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