Indiana University Athletics
Smith Named to Butkus Award Watch List
8/24/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 24, 2000
Smith Named to Butkus Award Watch List
Bloomington, Ind. -- Justin Smith (Indianapolis/Warren Central), a 6-foot, 218-pound, junior linebacker, has been named to the Butkus Award Watch List. Sponsored by Cooper Tire and presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc., the Butkus Award is presented to the nation's best collegiate linebacker. Smith is one of 70 linebackers nationally to make the initial watch list.
Smith started 11 games at linebacker last fall and led Indiana in tackles with 89, including 4 for loss, one interception, and 3 passes broken up. He played the entire 1999 campaign with a broken wrist. An extremely good student, Smith has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
The Butkus Award Watch List will be trimmed to 10 semi-finalists on October 19. The three finalists will be announced on a national teleconference on November 9 at Spectator's Sports Bar at the Downtown Marriott Orlando. The winner will be announced Friday, December 8, during the Butkus Award Gala at Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios CityWalk. All three finalists, along with their coaches and families are invited to attend.
This year's preliminary list includes 70 noteworthy candidates that represent schools and conferences from across the nation. The independent selection committee for the 2000 Butkus Award is comprised of 28 of the nation's foremost media members. The Butkus Award Selection Committee members are beginning the process of reviewing the candidates this week. Additional candidates may be added in the coming weeks. The voting for the three finalists and Butkus Award winner will be conducted by confidential balloting of the Selection Committee.
