University of Tennessee Athletics
Michael Munoz Receives Draddy Award
December 08, 2004 | Football
Dec. 8, 2004
NEW YORK -- University of Tennessee offensive tackle Michael Munoz was named the winner of the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, known as the "Academic Heisman," as the nation's top scholar-athlete at the 47th Annual Awards Banquet of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame last night (Dec. 7) at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Munoz, who came to UT from Mason, Ohio, is the University of Tennessee's second Draddy Trophy winner, following in the footsteps of former Vol quarterback Peyton Manning, who won the Trophy in 1997. He is one of six Vol athletes so named. As a Scholar-Athlete, he receives an $18,000 scholarship award. By receiving the Draddy, the award increases to $25,000.
"I want to thank the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame for honoring the guys who have done well on the field and in the classroom," Munoz said. "This is a great honor."
Munoz, who has already graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science, is in the masters program in public administration. He is a two-time Tennessee football captain (2003-04), joining teammate Kevin Burnett as the first junior captains since 1944.
"I am proud to be among my fellow student-athletes who have worked hard for what they've achieved. I want to thank head coach Phillip Fulmer and the University of Tennessee. The last five years have been great."
He praised his wife, Emily, who "gave me support and love. She also kicked me in the rear to get me to study."
Previous University of Tennessee National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes are Neyle Sollee (1959), Bob Johnson (1967), who is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Don Denbo (1970), Mike Mauck (1976) and Manning.
Munoz was the first of two Vols honored at the Awards Banquet. Former Vol linebacker Frank Emanuel, an All-America selection on Doug Dickey's second University of Tennessee team in 1965, became the school's 20th inductee into the College Hall.
