Duke football recognized for its academic excellence
To succeed in varsity athletics at Duke, student-athletes must also succeed in the classroom. This isn't the case at every FBS program, but the Blue Devils have set an incredibly high standard for academic excellence.
And, for that, they have been recognized.
The National Football Foundation (NFF) will present a commemorative plaque to faculty athletics representative Martha Putallaz, according to a press release from Duke Sports Information. In addition, the university will receive $5,000 for the distinction.
This recognition comes after Duke linebacker David Helton won the 2014 William V. Campbell Trophy, an award casually referred to as the "Academic Heisman." In recent years, the NFF has also honored offensive lineman Perry Simmons (2013) and quarterback Sean Renfree (2012) from Duke as National Scholar Athletes.
Putallaz is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke and has been the university's faculty athletics representative since 2007, per the release. She also served on the search committee that aided in the hiring of head coach David Cutcliffe back in 2008.
(h/t Duke Blue Devils)
Photo Credit: Rob Kinnan/USA TODAY Sports