HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i junior running back Hekili Keliiliki is among a record number of candidates on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. The award is known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service."
 
A double major in biology and Chinese, Keliiliki committed at an early age to serve his community and continues to do so, mainly to those in need. The Bentonville, Ark., native earned his Eagle Scout Honor by being an active leader in his community and church. He served a two-year church mission in Brisbane, Australia where he learned to speak Chinese.
 
While a member of the Rainbow Warrior football team, Keliiliki, who is native Hawaiian, serves on the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; is a youth development intern for the Lili'uokalani Trust, whose mission is to care for and ensure the well-being of the most vulnerable Native Hawaiian children; and volunteers for reading days and campus beautification projects. 
 
Keliiliki is among a record 114 student-athletes on the watch list, which includes 2019 finalists Isaiah Sanders of Stanford and semifinalists Teton Saltes of New Mexico and Sam Ehlinger of Texas. Former UH long snapper Noah Borden was a semifinalist for the 2018 award.
 
The award is named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida. The Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world.
 
Semifinalists will be announced on November 3 and finalists will be announced on November 23. The formal announcement of the 2020 recipient will be made at the National Football Foundation's festivities in New York City on December 8. The presentation of the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 52^nd All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 19, 2021 in Fort Walton Beach.