University of Connecticut Athletics
Brian Keating in Running for Two Prestigious Awards
10/16/2020 9:54:00 AM | Football
The UConn football team may not be playing any games this fall, but that hasn't stopped one of its players from racking up award nominations.
Senior long snapper Brian Keating, a Connecticut native from Darien, is a candidate for both the William V. Campbell Trophy and the Wuerffel Trophy.
Nicknamed the "Academic Heisman," the Campbell Trophy "recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership," according to its website.
Meanwhile, the Wuerffel Trophy "is presented to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field," according to its website.
"It's really humbling to be nominated for these awards," Keating said. "There's so many student-athletes here at UConn who give back, and it just feels great to be recognized. A community and putting other people first way of life in how you approach things is something special to me. It just feels amazing to be recognized for my work off the field and in the classroom."
Keating said he found out about his nominations via Twitter and he was very excited and honored, knowing that both awards are very prestigious. Past winners include Tim Tebow, Peyton Manning and most recently, Justin Herbert.
"It's a big deal to be on both lists, it's a huge accomplishment for me," he said. "Winning it doesn't really matter to me. I'm thankful to be recognized and just thankful to keep helping the community out."
Keating is in the running for these awards because of his dedication to community service and academics, both of which have been a huge part of his experience at UConn.
Keating is a member of UConn's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which helps come up with ways for UConn student-athletes to serve the community in and around UConn. One of the things that Keating is involved in is going to elementary schools in Willimantic and Windham each week to help the kids read.
In addition, Keating does work with Goal Line, a mentorship program with kids from East Hartford Middle School. Every other week, members of the football team bring the middle school students to UConn sporting events and connect them with other UConn athletes, while also acting as encouraging mentors for the kids.
"Community service means so much to me because I'm a huge family first guy," Keating said. "Family, friends and faith are my three pillars in life, and I wouldn't be who I am without the people who support me each and every day … It's a great way to get out and inspire others and meet new people. It's just super important to me that I give back and show support to the people who support us each and every Saturday and just help make the world a better place."
Keating has an individualized major of sport promotion, which combines sport management with communications. He takes his academics really seriously, and after interning with the Travelers Championship, he has a good idea that he wants to do something in the sports communication field.
Keating said both of his parents are teachers, so they pushed him to be the best student he could be, and that's something he still tries to do today.
"I had a certain attitude that I had to be the hardest working student at school and in my class," Keating said. "I might not be the smartest student, but I'm certainly gonna be the hardest working. From a young age, I definitely understood that education was gonna pave the way for me."
With no football season this fall, it has given Keating the opportunity to take 21 credits to graduate early and begin a master's program as soon as next semester.
Keating truly exemplifies what it means to be a great student-athlete, and his nomination for both the Campbell and Wuerffel Trophies recognizes that in a big way.
