Justin Hutton, a placekicker on the 2003 University of Kentucky football team, has been chosen as the winner of the 10th-annual Trent DiGiuro Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship fund was established by family and friends of former UK offensive guard Trent DiGiuro, who died on July 17, 1994. Trent?s parents, Mike and Ann DiGiuro, officially established the fund on Oct. 24, 1994.
The fund provides one or more scholarships each year to students who:
1) are walk-on (non-scholarship) football players at UK;
2) have played on the football team at least two years;
3) have maintained a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.5; and
4) best exemplify the dedication, determination, hard work, and leadership typified by Trent DiGiuro.
If no walk-on player meets the above criteria, the scholarship is awarded to a team manager or athletic trainer who has completed two years of service, maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, and has exemplified the dedication, determination, hard work, and leadership typified by Trent DiGiuro.
Currently, Hutton is the kicker for the Lexington Horsemen indoor football team while continuing his studies at UK. He is working on a degree in architecture and plans to work in that field upon graduation.
Hutton was a member of the Wildcat football team from 1999-2003. He earned a varsity letter in the 2002 season when he attempted three extra points and made all three. He also saw action on the UK junior varsity squad during his career. He came to UK from Hammond, Ind., where he was an all-state kicker at Hammond High School. He is the son of William Hutton.
?I?m extremely honored to be selected for the DiGiuro Scholarship,? Hutton said. ?This helps leaps and bounds in being able to finish my education. It has been difficult to balance football and school, and to receive this help is invaluable.
?It is amazing what the DiGiuro family has done in keeping this scholarship going so long,? Hutton said. ?It is a great way to honor their son, as they obviously understand the challenges of being a walk-on football player.?
Trent DiGiuro was from Goshen, Ky., and earned all-district honors at South Oldham High School. He came to UK as a walk-on offensive lineman in 1991. Through hard work and perseverance, he began earning playing time in 1993 as the Wildcats advanced to the Peach Bowl. In the off-season, he posted the best bench press on the team and he finished 1994 spring practice as the starting right guard. Trent also made steady progress in his academic work and earned a place on the 1993 Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
The first DiGiuro Scholarship was given in 1995 to placekicker Brent Claiborne. Subsequent scholarships have been awarded to manager Andrew Cline (1996), athletic trainer Patrick Sininger (1997), linebacker Stephan Walters (1998), tight end Cheddi Acham (1999), wide receiver Alex Herman (2000), wide receiver Corry Doyle (2001), athletic trainer Matthew Summers (2002), and manager Samantha Bell (2003).
