CSM Dvorak Named 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy Winner on Friday
Harlon Hill Trophy Full Release
FLORENCE, Ala. – Colorado School of Mines’ Justin Dvorak becomes the third player in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) football history, to win the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy announced on Friday.
The Harlon Hill Trophy is awarded to the best football player in NCAA Division II. Dvorak earned the RMAC’s fourth Harlon Hill Trophy award, following fellow Oredigger Chad Friehauf (2004), and Chadron State’s Danny Woodhead (2006, 2007).
The RMAC is tied for having the second most award winners in all of Division II, along with the PSAC, GLIAC, and Lone Star. Only the GSC and MIAA conferences have more winners with five a piece.
Dvorak received 185 points including 48 first-place votes. He won the award with a 72-point margin over Northwest Missouri State University’s Kyle Zimmerman.
CSM Sports Information Press Release Dec. 16, 2016
Colorado School of Mines quarterback
Justin Dvorak has won the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy as the best player in NCAA Division II football.
Dvorak earned 185 points on 95 ballots, including 48 first-place votes, to win. Northwest Missouri State quarterback Kyle Zimmerman was second with 113 points, and North Alabama quarterback Jacob Tucker third with 86. Dvorak will be presented with the trophy on Jan. 6 at a ceremony on the campus of the University of Northern Alabama, Hill's alma mater.
The award was announced less than an hour after Dvorak earned his B.S. in petroleum engineering during Mines' winter commencement ceremony. The record-setting quarterback led Mines to a share of the RMAC title with 10-3 record this year and an appearance in the NCAA Championship Second Round, matching the longest season in program history. Dvorak is the second Oredigger to win the trophy, joining Chad Friehauf (2004).
"This trophy is an individual award but it's yours just as much as it is mine," Dvorak told a packed room of family, teammates, and coaches after the announcement. "I'm glad to bring the Harlon Hill back to Mines."
The Hill Trophy was the capstone on an exceptional career for Dvorak. He set RMAC and Mines records in passing yards (13,466), total offense yards (14,608), and passing touchdowns (134), the latter mark ranking second all-time in D-II.
In 2016, he earned virtually every honor a player could including D2CCA National offensive Player of the Year, AP First-Team Little All-America, NFFCC Colorado Offensive Player of the Year, and RMAC Offensive Player of the Year. He leads NCAA Division II with 4,584 passing yards and 53 touchdowns, rushing for eight more. His 380.2 total offense yards per game ranks second in D-II and his 172.4 rating is sixth. Dvorak also leads the nation with 366 points responsible for.