Stare Named Gagliardi Trophy - Presented by Stearns Bank Semifinalist

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Senior Brandt Stare of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team was named a semifinalist for the 2024 Gagliardi Trophy, presented by Stearns Bank, on Thursday afternoon.

The Gagliardi Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. The award, given annually since 1993, is named after legendary St. John's Hall of Fame head football coach John Gagliardi, who retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history. John passed away in 2018 at the age of 91.

The 18 semifinalists for the award feature nominees from all six NCAA regions. The list features eight quarterbacks, four running backs, two wide receivers, and four defensive players. Stare is joined on the list by fellow WIAC wide receiver Jack Studer, who played for UW-La Crosse.

Stare, the 2024 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year, concluded the season with 786 receiving yards and 14 receiving scores on 53 catches across 11 games. The senior broke several UW-Platteville records throughout the season, setting new program marks in career receptions (235), receiving yards (3077), and receiving touchdowns (41). The Naperville, Illinois, native also holds the WIAC career receiving touchdown record, which was previously held by Jake Kumerow (36) of UW-Whitewater. Stare concluded his Pioneers career with 46 total touchdowns, one shy of matching the all-time program record.

The Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be announced on Thursday, December 19 at 4 p.m. during a live show on D3football.com. The trophy winner will then be revealed on D3football.com during the week of the NCAA Division III national championship game.

Fan voting for the 2024 Gagliardi Trophy, presented by Stearns Bank, can be found below.

VOTE HERE