Courtesy of Air Force
Charlotte, N.C. (October 26, 2023) – The Charlotte Touchdown Club announced today U.S. Air Force Academy Safety, Trey Taylor, as recipient of its 2023 Defender of the Nation Award sponsored by Capital Group of Companies.
“The Defender of the Nation Award celebrates our nation’s military academies and their many outstanding-student athletes, according to John Rocco, Executive Director of the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Congratulations to Air Force Academy’s Trey Taylor on being named this year’s Defender of the Nation recipient. We look forward to honoring Trey’s achievements on December 4th at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet presented by Coca-Cola Consolidated.”
The recipient of The Defender of the Nation Award is selected from one of the nation’s nine service academies and senior military institutions as well from top collegiate ROTC programs including Air Force Academy, Auburn University, The Citadel, Coast Guard Academy, Michigan State, University of Mississippi, Naval Academy, Norwich University, University of South Carolina, Texas A&M University, Villanova University, Virginia Tech, VMI, and West Point and is based on exceptional leadership qualities on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The recipient must also exhibit a high standard of integrity by leading through example.
Rick Hughes, President of Capital Group of Companies commented, “There are certain people we meet that are exceptional in and about some things, then there are those that achieve in multiple tasks. We at Capital believe to win the Defender of the Nation Award you must be exceptional in three areas. Not only must you be an exceptional football player, but an outstanding student and more importantly, exceptional in the endeavor of military commitment. The man who is this year’s Defender of the Nation Award is Trey Taylor from the United States Air Force Academy. Congratulations Trey! Capital supports you and is proud of our relationship.”
In conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America, the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet presented by Coca-Cola Consolidated will be held on Monday, December 4th at the Charlotte Convention Center. In addition to honoring the Defender of the Nation Award winner, Clemson University’s Jeff Davis from the Class of 1981 will be honored as the 2023 Legends Award recipient and TCU Head Coach Sonny Dykes is slated as the keynote speaker. CBS Sports Studio Host, Adam Zucker, is confirmed as Master of Ceremonies!
“We are fortunate on our football team to have so many well qualified players for this award, and yet, Trey is an incredible choice,” said Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun. “He’s a tremendous teammate, a tough and highly productive football player, fine student, and most of all, a young man with enormous leadership attributes.”
