Wingo Named One of Eight Semifinalists for Wuerffel Trophy
Thursday, November 2, 2023 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior linebacker Derek Wingo has been selected as one of eight semifinalists for the Wuerffel Trophy, as announced by The Wuerffel Foundation on Thursday afternoon.
The Wuerffel Trophy is presented to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
The trophy itself is named after former Florida Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who helped lead the Gators to their first national championship in 1996.
Wingo was placed on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List back in August and was even named the GatorMade January 2023 Danny Wuerffel Man of the Month.
WINGO'S COMMITMENT TO THE CLASSROOM
During his time at the University of Florida, Wingo has pursued a degree in Education Sciences. He has earned a GPA of 3.79 in Education Sciences classes and 3.30 overall. This success has resulted in him being named a member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2021 and 2022.
Additionally, Wingo has taken time outside of the classroom to find where his education may take him. For instance, he participated in a NASA Micro-Internship with their Launch Services Program which was a week-long professional development opportunity for career exploration. The micro-internship capstone project included a presentation on space exploration and STEM careers at Astronaut High School in Titusville, Florida.
WINGO IN THE COMMUNITY
The Fort Lauderdale native has participated in both GatorMade trips, which served as an opportunity to conduct community service outside of the United States. The trip to Greece in 2022 included 40 hours of service as members of the football team partnered with the non-profit organization Smile of the Child that helps orphaned youth in Athens, Greece.
The country of South Africa was the second destination in Wingo's two abroad service trips. During his time in the country, he and his teammates spent 52 hours partnering with Rise Above Development in Lavender Hill Community to establish water tanks, irrigation lines and provide meal distribution to disadvantaged youth programs. They also partnered with Project Playground in the Guguelthu Community to help build safe places for children to play.
Wingo has also participated in countless community service efforts with organizations in and around Gainesville including Bread of the Mighty, the St. Francis House, Education Foudnation, YMCA and the Ronald McDonald House.
ON AND OFF FIELD LEADERSHIP
In addition to being a key contributor to the Florida Gators defense, playing in 33 of the last 34 contests, Wingo has continued to step up as a leader. Coach Napier mentioned, prior to the start of the 2023 season, that Wingo had surfaced as one of the prominent leadership figures in the Gators program during offseason workouts.
That same leadership stems conference wide as Wingo serves as the 2023 SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council Vice Chair.
The Wuerffel Trophy is presented to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
The trophy itself is named after former Florida Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who helped lead the Gators to their first national championship in 1996.
Wingo was placed on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List back in August and was even named the GatorMade January 2023 Danny Wuerffel Man of the Month.
"He's exhibited a way of bringing people together, a unifier." - @DannyWuerffel
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) February 14, 2023
🎥 #GatorMade Danny Wuerffel Man of the Month: @DerekWingo pic.twitter.com/wNfHYfCMsh
WINGO'S COMMITMENT TO THE CLASSROOM
During his time at the University of Florida, Wingo has pursued a degree in Education Sciences. He has earned a GPA of 3.79 in Education Sciences classes and 3.30 overall. This success has resulted in him being named a member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2021 and 2022.
Additionally, Wingo has taken time outside of the classroom to find where his education may take him. For instance, he participated in a NASA Micro-Internship with their Launch Services Program which was a week-long professional development opportunity for career exploration. The micro-internship capstone project included a presentation on space exploration and STEM careers at Astronaut High School in Titusville, Florida.
NASA and LSP support many different types of internships and student programs, including @UF. While we love launching rockets, part of our job is to inspire the next generation!
— NASA's Launch Services Program (@NASA_LSP) May 30, 2023
Thanks for joining us @DerekWingo & @simonds_riley9! pic.twitter.com/5bif0y8YIt
WINGO IN THE COMMUNITY
The Fort Lauderdale native has participated in both GatorMade trips, which served as an opportunity to conduct community service outside of the United States. The trip to Greece in 2022 included 40 hours of service as members of the football team partnered with the non-profit organization Smile of the Child that helps orphaned youth in Athens, Greece.
The country of South Africa was the second destination in Wingo's two abroad service trips. During his time in the country, he and his teammates spent 52 hours partnering with Rise Above Development in Lavender Hill Community to establish water tanks, irrigation lines and provide meal distribution to disadvantaged youth programs. They also partnered with Project Playground in the Guguelthu Community to help build safe places for children to play.
Wingo has also participated in countless community service efforts with organizations in and around Gainesville including Bread of the Mighty, the St. Francis House, Education Foudnation, YMCA and the Ronald McDonald House.
ON AND OFF FIELD LEADERSHIP
In addition to being a key contributor to the Florida Gators defense, playing in 33 of the last 34 contests, Wingo has continued to step up as a leader. Coach Napier mentioned, prior to the start of the 2023 season, that Wingo had surfaced as one of the prominent leadership figures in the Gators program during offseason workouts.
That same leadership stems conference wide as Wingo serves as the 2023 SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council Vice Chair.
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ILB
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