Oklahoma State University Athletics
Van Zant Nominated For FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award
September 28, 2006 | Cowboy Football
Van Zant, a starter for the Cowboys this season, was born deaf and works with an interpreter who accompanies him to classes, team meetings, practices and games. A strong student, Van Zant is majoring in management.
In his third season at OSU, Van Zant has 11 tackles through the Cowboys' first four games. He collected his first career interception on Sept. 9 against Arkansas State and returned it 22 yards.
The Courage Award was created by ESPN The Magazine senior writer and FWAA member Gene Wojciechowski. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage, on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.
Previous winners of the FWAA's Courage Award are the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).
