Nov. 3, 2007

David Walbright, a senior defensive end for the University of Dayton, was named the winner of the 52nd presentation of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of Saturday's Dayton-Butler football game.

The award goes to the Flyer senior who best exemplifies the qualities of Zulli, a former UD football player who was killed in a military vehicle accident while serving in the Army in Germany. Zulli was not a star football player at Dayton, but his qualities of sportsmanship, scholarship and leadership were so exceptional that this award was created in his memory shortly after his death.

Walbright, a 6-1, 247 lb. fifth-year senior majoring in Exercise Science and Fitness Management from Worthington, Ohio is a 2003 graduate of Worthington Kilbourne High School. A four-year letterwinner, he was starter at defensive tackle the last two seasons before moving to end this year.

Heading into the Butler game, he had 23 tackles in 2007, including three sacks and 4.5 tackles in the backfield. Nine of his tackles are solo hits. He also has one fumble recovered. He is a two-time member of the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll.

The late Vic Cassano, Sr. began the award in 1956. His family has continued the support of the award, and also makes a $1,000 annual contribution to the Harry C. Baujan Scholarship Fund at UD in memory of Andy Zulli.