In a season that he rewrote school, conference and NCAA records, Central College quarterback Blaine Hawkins has won the Gagliardi Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in Division III football.

The winner was announced during the D3Football.com pregame show last night before the national championship game between North Central (IL) and Mary Hardin Baylor (TX).  Hawkins was joined by family, coaches, teammates and other Central supporters in a watch party for the event on campus.

“It’s been a really great evening and it’s so fun to be surrounded by my family, a lot of friends, alumni, players and coaches.  It’s really an honor to be selected among a really great group of finalists and semifinalists, and there’s a really strong tradition with the Gagliardi award.  I’m really excited to be able to share it with my teammates and coaches.

Hawkins was also cited as a D3Football.com first-team All-American, adding to his NFCA and College Football Network All-American selections earlier in the week.  Hawkins set the NCAA all-divisions single season record with 63 touchdown passes this season and broke the American Rivers Conference marks for yards and touchdown passes in a season as the Dutch won the league with an 8-0 mark, went 10-0 in the regular season and finished 12-1 overall after reaching the national quarterfinals.

There are a total of 33 records in the passing section of Central College’s football record book, and Hawkins owns 28 of them.

Four other Central players were tabbed for the D3Football.com All-America teams.  Wide receiver Tanner Schminke, who caught 19 of Hawkins touchdown passes, a Dutch record, joined his quarterback on the first team.  Offensive guard Josh Mayhew was a second-team pick, and defensive line mates Blade Durbala and Hunter Maddy are side-by-side on the fourth team.