Former Husker fullback Dane Todd was selected as one of six finalists for the annual Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, as recently announced by the NCAA. Finalists must own a 3.5 or higher grade-point average, demonstrate evidence of superior character and leadership and show that participation in athletics has been a positive influence on their personal and intellectual development.

The Walter Byers Scholarships were established in 1988 and recognizes the contributions of former NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. The awards encourage academic achievement of student-athletes and each Byers Scholar receives a $21,500 scholarship. Two finalists, a male and a female, will be selected later this month.

Todd, who graduated from Nebraska with a degree in biological sciences last December with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, finished his career with the Huskers in 2006. During his time at NU, Todd was a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection for his work on the field, while adding multiple awards for his academic excellence. Todd is a CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American, a four-time member of the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team and a Wuerffel Award finalist. He was also recently honored as the Nebraska Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

Todd’s superior performance extends to his community involvement, where he has volunteered his time with American Education Week, "School is Cool" Week, the Dads of Kids with Disabilities, the UNL Shadowing Program, and numerous hospital visits and speaking engagements. Todd has been a representative on the Nebraska Student-Athlete Advisory Committee each of the past three years and is also a Big 12 Community Champion.

The five other student-athletes joining Todd as finalists for the Byers Scholarship include Stephen Hrinda, cross country, track and field, Case Western Reserve University; Patrick Huffer, soccer, Williams College; Jessica Javalet, field hockey, University of Louisville; Katie Kingsbury, tennis, Washington and Lee University and Christina Mulka, rowing, Northeastern University.