Troy Nolan to receive post-graduate scholarship

Troy Nolan, a safety on the 2008 Arizona State University football team, is the 2009 recipient of a postgraduate scholarship presented annually by the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Chapter Executive Director Dan Manucci announced Thursday.

Nolan, 23 other Scholar Athletes, coaches, referees, chapter leaders and a distinguished Arizonan, will be honored at the Chapter's annual Scholarship Banquet on Saturday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Scottsdale Hilton Resort, 6333 North Scottsdale Road. For more information regarding the banquet contact Dan Manucci at 480-516-6002.

In the 2008 season, Nolan collected 64 tackles, four interceptions, and scored three touchdowns on the season. He shared Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year with junior linebacker Mike Nixon. Nolan also won the Pat Tillman Award and a Cecil Abono Team Captain Award.

As a former junior college transfer, Nolan had an outstanding debut season at ASU. In 2007, Nolan started all 13 games at safety after being redshirted in 2006 due to injury. He led the team with six interceptions putting him second in the Pac-10. His two interception returns for touchdowns tied for the single-season school record. Nolan had his first career interception in the second quarter against Colorado on Sept. 8 where he returned it 26 yards for a touchdown that helped the Sun Devils rally back from an early 14-point deficit to defeat the Buffaloes. He earned the Second-Team All-Pac-10 honors and shared the team's Gail Scott Most Improved Defensive Player Award with cornerback Justin Tryon. Nolan was awarded the Clyde B. Smith Award for academic achievement at the team's year-end banquet and was named one of the Student-Athletes of the Semester by ASU's Office of Student-Athlete Development for his academic performance in the fall semester.

Nolan was a 2005 graduate of the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif. where he was named All-Western States Conference first-team on defense. He led College of the Canyons to the National Championship, the Western States Conference Championship and the California State Championship in 2004 and to the Western States Conference Championship in 2005.

In 2003, Nolan was named the El Camino Real High School defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player. He was also named second-team All-West Valley Conference on defense and first-team on offense.

In May of 2008, Nolan Earned his degree in B.I.S., interdisciplinary studies, and plans to pursue a career working for the F.B.I once his football career ends. His parents are Troy Nolan Sr. and Karen Gatewood.

ASU's National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes
2009 Troy Nolan 2008 Michael Marquardt 2007 Jason Burke 2006 Chad Christensen 2005 Grayling Love 2004 Skyler Fulton 2003 Mike Barth 2002 Nick Murphy 2001 Mike Aguirre 1997 Damien Richardson 1996 Kirk Robertson 1995 Justin Dragoo 1993 Toby Mills 1992 Adam Brass 1990 Drew Metcalfe 1989 Mark Tingstad 1978 Chris Mott 1966 Ken Dyer