Charlie Kolar Wins Prestigious Campbell Trophy
Iowa State’s Charlie Kolar has been known as one of the top tight end’s in all of college football since he stepped onto campus back in 2017. Kolar just earned All-Big 12 First Team honors for the third-straight season, and he owns all of the Cyclones’ tight end school records, including career receiving yards (2,148), career receptions (164), and career touchdowns (22).
Last night, he added something else to his repertoire, the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy. Also known as the Academic Heisman, the Campbell Trophy is presented to the nation’s top scholar-athlete annually and recognizes the dedication and hard work it takes to achieve one’s goals on the field and in the classroom.
Kolar was grateful, and humble, in his acceptance speech last night:
“This is an incredible honor,” Kolar said. “The finalists this year had amazing resumes, and to be recognized along with the other winners of this prestigious award, I am so grateful. When you come to college on an athletic scholarship you have the responsibility to learn, and I don’t think you should waste that opportunity. My parents played a huge role in instilling these values in me and it was great to have them both here with me tonight.”
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell spoke of his senior tight end, and what drives him to the success that he has had as a Cyclone:
“Charlie is as high-end of a competitor I have ever been around,” Campbell said. “Whatever Charlie has put his mind to, he’s been successful. He wants to be the best. If it’s school, he wants to be the best. If it’s on the football field, he wants to be the best. He’s earned this honor and I’m so thrilled for him because all of his hard work has got him where he is today.”
Kolar graduated in the fall of 2020 with a 3.99 cumulative GPA in mechanical engineering. He is the first Iowa State player to be named both an All-American and Academic All-American.
He will play his final game in an Iowa State uniform on December 29, as the Cyclones take on No. 19 Clemson in the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl.
