As far as Southeast Missouri State University football coach John Mumford is concerned, you couldn't find a more deserving player than Andy Dunaway to receive the first Donald "Diz" Anderson Endowed Scholarship.
Dunaway, who has worked himself up from a local walkon to a productive member of the Indians' squad, will have that walkon status removed with this scholarship.
"Andy is just a great story and a real example of how hard work really pays off," said Mumford. "He's got one of the best work ethics on the team."
A 6-foot, 175-pound redshirt freshman wide receiver out of Cape Girardeau Central High School, Dunaway walked on to the squad last season, which he spent practicing with the team.
This year, in his first season of game action, Dunaway has moved up to second-team wide receiver and he has caught seven passes for 59 yards to rank sixth on the team in receptions. He also has returned some punts and kickoffs and serves as the holder for field goals and extra points.
"He's turned into a reliable player," Mumford said. "He makes plays. He's a reliable blocker and he's got really sure hands. You throw him the ball and most of the time he'll catch it. Same thing on returns, he always catches the football. And he's done a good job as our holder."
Dunaway has also excelled in the classroom as he had a 3.25 grade-point average last year and was a Southeast Scholar Athlete.
"I think this is great for Andy because he's a fine person and he's made himself into a good player through a lot of hard work," said Mumford.
Anderson, who died earlier this year, won All-American honors as a center in 1946, when he helped lead Southeast to an 8-0-1-record. The endowed scholarship is being funded by Anderson's family and friends.
The scholarship announcement will be made during halftime of today's game against Middle Tennessee State at Houck Stadium.
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