Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney senior Jack Hiett has recently been tabbed the 2009 winner of the NCAA Division II Dave Rimington Award as the nation's top center.

The Rimington Trophy is given annually to the top center in NCAA Divisions I, II, II and the NAIA.  The Boomer Esiason Foundation, which established the Dave Rimington Trophy in 2000 to honor the top center in Division I, expanded the award in to 2003 to include the top center on each of Don Hansen Football Gazette's All-American teams.

On January 16th in Lincoln, Florida's Maurkice Pouncey was honored as the 2009 Division I winner.

Rimington was a star at Nebraska and then in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals & Philadelphia Eagles. He has served with the Esiason Foundation since 1993 and has been President since 1995.

Hiett (Arvada, Colo./Arvada West H.S.) started all 44 games in his Loper career and was selected to all five Division II All-American teams this season.

He was a 1st-team pick by the Football Gazette and AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) and made the 2nd-team on Daktronics (chosen by sports information directors), D2football.com and the A.P's Little All-America squad.

The 6-1, 255 lbs. Hiett also was a national finalist for the 2009 Gene Upshaw Division II Linemen of the Year Award.

Also UNK's deep snapper, Hiett is pursuing a pro career in that capacity.

Rimington Division II Award Winners
2009 Jack Hiett, UNK
2008 Sam Collins, Abilene Christian (Texas)
2007 Ryan Pope, Shepherd U. (W.V.)
2006 Christian Morton, South Dakota
2005 Lance Ancar, North Alabama
2004 Kevin Burton, SE Oklahoma State
2003 Kevin Palmer, Texas A & M-Kingsville