Nov. 22, 2011
Austin -- Texas Longhorns senior running back Fozzy Whittaker has been named to the 2011 Fall Community of Champions The Big 12 Conference, in conjunction with Chick-fil-A, has announced today.
During the fall, winter and spring terms, one student-athlete from each institution is honored based on three criteria. He or she must maintain an academic standard of a 3.00 grade point average or higher; the designated student-athlete should be involved with at least one community service program; and the student-athlete should demonstrate leadership and sportsmanship on and off the field.
Whittaker is a fifth-year running back who has appeared in 38 games (20 starts) during his career and has carried the ball 263 times for 1,233 yards (4.7 ypc) and 12 TDs. He also has added 73 receptions for 464 yards and one TD, and is 2-for-3 passing for 40 yards for his career. Whittaker owns several school records for kickoff returns including the most career touchdowns (2), longest kickoff return (100 yards, twice), most total yards in a single game (252 vs. Oklahoma State in 2011) and highest average per return in a single game (42.0 vs. Oklahoma State in 2011.)
Before a knee injury at Missouri ended his 2011 season, Whittaker had 386 yards rushing on 66 carries (5.8 ypc) and six touchdowns, which still leads the team. He also caught 16 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. Whittaker still leads the ‘Horns with nine touchdowns (six rushing, one receiving and two kickoff returns) and in all-purpose yardage (955).
Whittaker led the NCAA in kickoff return average (42.4) before getting injured and became just the fifth player in school history to score a rushing, receiving and kickoff/punt return for a touchdown in the same season. He became the second person to score two touchdowns on kickoff returns in a single season and a career (D.J. Monroe), scoring on 100-yard returns in back-to-back games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The 100-yard returns match the school record for the longest in Texas history.
Whittaker earned his bachelor's degree in corporate communications in May '10 and is working towards a master's in general kinesiology. He is a three-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection (2009-11) and a six-time member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll.
Whittaker is a regular visitor to Dell Children’s Hospital of Central Texas, participated in the Orange Santa Christmas drive, volunteered to help feed the homeless and pick up trash along the highways, and is a 2010 Arthur Ashe Award recipient (national award for minority student-athletes.
The institution of the student-athletes selected to the Community of Champions will be awarded $4,500 from Chick-fil-A as a result of their efforts within the community.
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