DAYTON -- Derek Willits, a senior wide receiver for the University of Dayton, was named the winner of the 66th presentation of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of Saturday's Dayton-Marist 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 shortly after his graduation in 1954.  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.

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

Willits is second on the team in receiving this season with 20 catches for an 11.6 yards-per-reception average.  A team captain, he is also the president of UD's Student-Athlete Advisory Council.  He is a semifinalist for the 2023 NFF Campbell Trophy, which is sometimes referred to as "the Academic Heisman."  Last year, he was named the 2022 winner of football's Emil Karas Award for outstanding leadership.  

A Biochemistry major, Willits is from Centerville, Ohio, and is a graduate of Alter High School.

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.