October 6, 2017

NORWICH UNIVERSITY’S AUSTIN ROBERTS DEFENDER OF THE NATION WEEKLY PLAYER PROFILE

 

Bio: Son of Ralph and Lisa Roberts and brother to Jessica Roberts, Austin Roberts comes from a family of collegiate athletes. He is a member of the NU Corps of Cadets majoring in communications. As Army ROTC Scholarship Recipient, Roberts is a High Honors Student and a Perennial Dean’s List Student. He served as a Cadet Staff Sergeant during his junior year and was a Community Service Liaison and a Special Olympics volunteer.

Stats: 2016 – First Team All-ECFC Selection…Had a career season in 2016 for the Cadets, posting 62 tackles and five tackles for a combined loss of 14 yards…Had two interceptions alongside seven pass breakups.
2017 –  Leading tackler so far with 41 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception.

 

Quote from Norwich University Head Coach Mark Murnyack:  
“Austin Roberts is a throwback player and as tough as they come. He has had a tremendous impact on this program since he arrived on campus. Austin leads through example and always finds a way to get the job done time after time. He seems to always raise his level of play every time we need a big play.”

 

The recipient of the Defender of the Nation Award will be announced on November 1st from one of the Nation’s (9) military academies and institutions including Air Force Academy, The Citadel, Coast Guard Academy, Naval Academy, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, VMI and West Point and is based on exceptional leadership qualities on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The recipient must also exhibit a high standard of integrity by leading through example.

The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet presented by ACN, will be held on Monday, December 4th at the Charlotte Convention Center.  In addition to honoring the 2017 Defender of the Nation Award winner, the banquet will celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy sponsored by ACN and Legends Award sponsored by Florida East Coast Railway.  Notre Dame’s Ross Browner, a member of the FWAA’s 1976 All-America Team and a College Football Hall of Famer will be honored as the Legends Award winner and Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart is slated as the keynote speaker.
ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE TOUCHDOWN CLUB AND ITS PRESENTING SPONSORS
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region.  Since its inception, the club has grown as well as diversified boasting a Sponsor Team of more than 80 companies.  The club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches.  Through corporate and individual support, more than $2,000,000 has been raised to benefit the club’s scholarship efforts.  For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918or jrocco@touchdownclub.mysites.io). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.mysites.io.

 

THE INDEPENDENCE FUND
Moving Our Nation’s Wounded Heroes Towards Greater Independence! 
The Independence Fund’s mission is to support the Nation’s injured and wounded Veterans with the tools to achieve their independence and freedoms they have fought so hard to preserve!  It is a laser-focused non-profit organization that provides independence to severely wounded Veterans through mobility, wellness, and caregiver support.  Those who sacrifice for our country do so willingly with great pride and honor, and it is our privilege to serve them!

 

2016 DEFENDER OF THE NATION AWARD RECIPIENT: ANDREW KING

Andrew King, Cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point is the recipient of the inaugural Defender of the Nation Award.  A two-year starter at linebacker, King has served as Platoon Leader and Honor Officer and majors in Law and Legal Studies.  Jeff Monken, United States Military Academy Head Football Coach, commented, “Andrew is one of the finest young men I have been associated with during my coaching career.  He has the respect of everyone in the locker room as well as the Corps of Cadets for his character and his commitment to the United States Military Academy’s values of Duty, Honor, Country.  I am extremely proud of Andrew and what he has been able to accomplish at the Academy and he is truly one of America’s best.”

 

2017 DEFENDER OF THE NATION PLAYER PROFILES 
• September 21: U.S. Naval Academy / D.J. Palmore
• September 28: U.S. Air Force Academy / Grant Ross
• October 6: Norwich University / Austin Roberts