Robert Strong, a senior slot receiver for the University of Dayton, was named the winner of the 57th presentation of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of Saturday's Dayton-Drake 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.

The award is considered the most prestigious in the University of Dayton football program.

Strong is a four-year letterwinner for the Flyers.  After playing in the secondary for his first three seasons, he moved to offense last spring.  It was an unusual move for a senior, but it’s what the team needed. 

On the season, strong is tied for second for UD in receptions, with 18 catches for 147 yards.  Interestingly, two-thirds of his grabs have come in the hostile environment of the road.  He had four catches each at Duquesne, Butler and San Diego. 

A three-time member of the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll, Strong is a Chemical Engineering major.

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.