John St. Clair Wins Jacobs Blocking Trophy

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Nov. 24, 1999

GREENSBORO, N.C. — University of Virginia center John St. Clair has beenselected as the recipient of the 1999 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, announcedtoday by Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford.The Jacobs Blocking Trophy has been awarded annually since 1953 to theplayer voted the outstanding blocker in the ACC in a poll of the league’sdefensive coordinators. It is awarded annually by William and Hugh Jacobsof Clinton, S.C., and is given in memory of William P. Jacobs, who servedas president of Presbyterian College from 1935-45.

A two-year starter for the Cavaliers, St. Clair played a major role thisfall as UVa tailback Thomas Jones set the ACC single-season rushing recordwith 1798 yards. The Roanoke, Va., native is a mainstay of an offensiveline that keys one of the nation’s most balanced offenses. Virginiaaveraged 191. 5 yards rushing and 211.0 yards passing this season en routeto a 7-4 record. This marks the 13th consecutive season the Cavaliers havewon seven or more games. They are joined in this exclusive club by FloridaState, Michigan and Nebraska.

St. Clair is the fourth Cavalier to win the Jacobs Blocking Trophy thisdecade and the seventh overall.

A list of previous Cavaliers to win the award includes: Greg Shelly (1968),Dan Ryczek (1970), Jim Dombrowski (1984-85), Ray Roberts (1990-91) and MarkDixon (1993).

In addition, St. Clair was recently named a second-team All-American byFootball News. He is the first center in school history named anAll-American.