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University of Minnesota Athletics
Santoso On Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
7/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Minnesota senior punter Ryan Santoso is a nominee for the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy, the organization announced Tuesday.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," is presented annually by the All Sports Association in Fort Walton Beach Florida. 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.
"This is not about me, or awards or winning it. It is about living the purest and fullest life I can live no matter who is watching or what position I am in," Santoso said. "After football is over I am still going to be the best me I can be."
Off the field Santoso has been active in the community volunteering his time at the Children's Hospital, Boys & Girls Club, Luxton Learning Center and with various sports camps. Inspired by his mother who is a nurse, Santoso said he is most passionate about his time at the Children's Hospital. He spends time visiting with patients and their families and strives to be a positive light.
In the classroom Santoso is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He is pursuing a degree in non-profit management.
On the field Santoso has saw action as a kicker and punter for the Gophers through three seasons. He was the Gophers starting kicker for his first two seasons winning a Lou Groza National Collegiate Place-Kicker Award "Star of the Week" award twice. As a sophomore he was named a Lou Groza Award semifinalist and earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors by the conference media and honorable mention by the media. In two years as a kicker Santoso made 29-of-39 field goals with a career long of 52 yards and converted 76-of-77 point-after attempts.
Santoso moved over to punter for his junior season. He has punted 78 times and holds an average of 40.8 yards. He has placed 29 punts inside the 20 and has a career long of 60 yards.
