FLORENCE, Ala. - East Stroudsburg University junior quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger earned the Harlon Hill Trophy for the Division II Player of the Year, Friday night at a banquet at the Marriot Hotel and Spa.
Terwilliger is the first player from ESU to win the award and the second from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Terwilliger had 121 points in voting by Division II sports information directors. He had 22 first-place votes, 22 second-place votes and 11 third-place votes. South Dakota quarterback Wesley Beschorner was second with 107 while Bloomsburg tailback Jamar Brittingham had 96 points.
Terwilliger, clad in a tuxedo for the first time in his young life, was presented the 30-inch, 63-pound trophy in front of nearly 500 people at the Harlon Hill and Division II Hall of Fame Banquet.
The dinner started nearly a half-hour late because of miscommunication. Following dinner and desert, Valdosta State's Chris Hatcher, Pittsburgh State's Ronald Moore and South Carolina State's Donnie Shell were induced into the Hall of Fame. Each of those three gentlemen was presented with a plaque and offered remarks. Moore and Shell played professional. Shell for nine seasons with the Steelers. Moore was a running back who rushed for more than 1,400 yards with the Cardinals.
Following the induction, a highlight video was shown of the previous 19 Harlon Hill winners. After that, a brief clip was shown of each of the three finalists. They were then asked to stand before Steve Harrison announced Terwilliger as the winner.
Terwilliger hugged the other two finalists and gave a seven-minute, articulate and funny off-the-cuff speech, following a standing ovation. Terwilliger, who said before the dinner he would speak from the heart, thanked the folks of Florence for their hospitality, Mike Curtis, his player host for the week and the rest of the committee for making the week a first-class event. He then thanked, by name, his offensive lineman, his wide receivers and his running backs as well as offensive line coach Mike Santella.
Terwilliger also gave special thanks to athletic director Tom Gioglio, head coach Denny Douds, his mother, Kim and sisters Kelly and Jackie. He then spoke of the special relationship he shares with his father, ESU offensive coordinator Mike Terwilliger. Jimmy pointed out the special times not only on the football field but hunting and fishing as well.
The Terwilliger family braved the severe storm on Friday morning and arrived in Alabama four hours before the banquet. Kim, Mike and Kelly Terwilliger had delays at LaGuardia Airport and had to run through the Atlanta airport but made it safely to Alabama to see their son and brother win Division II's most prestigious award.
He closed his remarks by speaking about football and how much it means and how the Harlon Hill is a reflection of his outstanding teammates and coaches and how excited and special he felt to represent ESU football.
HARLON HILL: Harlon Hill played collegiate football at Florence State Teachers College, now the University of North Alabama in 1953. He went onto a stellar career with the Chicago Bears where he was one of the most feared deep threats in the league. He was unable to attend the banquet due to illness but his son spoke briefly and thanked everyone for their support, congratulated the finalists and the hall of fame inductees.
SELECTION: Players are nominated for the Harlon Hill by their sports information directors. The Harlon Hill Advisory Committee makes the first cut of players. Regional ballots, with eight players on each, are sent to the SID's in that region. From there, eight players are selected for the national ballot and nationwide voting is held. The final vote count was complied by Dee Corum, voting coordinator.
FIVE FOR FIGHTING: East Stroudsburg University has had five candidates for the Harlon Hill Trophy. Terwilliger has been nominated each of his three seasons, Damian Poalucci (1996-97) was nominated twice while James Franklin (1994), Ed Detwiler (1992) and Dennis Mailhot (1989) once. Poalucci finished third in 1996.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE: Following his big night, Terwilliger joined his family, Douds and Gioglio at the Texas Roadhouse. Terwilliger spent most of his time there shaking hands and accepting congratulations from at least 30 people, including patrons, employees and management.
PSAC: Terwilliger join's Bloomsburg tailback Irvin Sigler as the only Harlon Hill winners from the PSAC. Sigler was the 1997 winner.
INSIDE THE WINNERS: Terwilliger is the 10th quarterback to win the award. Eight running backs have been honored, one wide receiver and one linebacker.
CLOSE: The closest finish ever for a Harlon Hill was eight points in 2001 when Dusty Bonner of Valdosta State edged Curt Anes of Grand Valley State.
SIGN HERE, PLEASE: Terwilliger signed hundreds and hundreds of autographs during his five days in Alabama. Thursday night, the three finalists were guests at a high school basketball game where there was an autograph session. There was also an autograph session prior to Friday's dinner where Terwilliger signed often, smiled for pictures and stood and introduced himself to every one.
SECOND TROPHY: Terwilliger spent his early Saturday morning on the Tennessee River, bass fishing with a professional. He joked about returning home with both the Harlon Hill and huge fish.
