Courtesy of Oliver Grigg
WACO, Texas – Arkansas’ Camden Kozeal is one of nine finalists for the Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy.
The Gwynn Trophy honors collegiate baseball student-athletes who are active in their community and represent their programs with integrity, while excelling in the classroom and on the field. The winner will be selected from the group of nine finalists in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches, and national media members.
Along with Kozeal, this year’s finalists include BYU pitcher Ahston Johnson, DBU infielder Chayton Krauss, Louisiana infielder Lee Amedee, LSU outfielder Chris Stanfield, the winner of the award in 2025, Louisville outfielder Zion Rose, Mississippi State outfielder Bryce Chance, Pitt outfielder Lorenzo Carrier and Toledo outfielder Troy Sudbrook.
On the diamond, the Omaha, Neb., native is slashing .297/.378/.609 with 16 doubles, one triple and 14 home runs to go along with 53 RBI and 117 total bases through 48 games played. Kozeal leads the Hogs in nearly every major offensive categories, including hits (57), doubles (16), RBI (53), total bases (117) multi-hit games (17) and multi-RBI games (17).
Defensively, Kozeal, who began the campaign at second base before moving to shortstop, has committed just six errors in 183 total chances (.967 fielding percentage) while assisting in turning a team-leading 26 double plays on the year. He is also one of 50 semifinalists for this season’s Brooks Wallace Award, honoring the country’s top shortstop.
Off the field, Kozeal, an avid outdoorsman and skilled fisherman, has dedicated time and resources to supporting wildlife and making a lasting impact on the environment. Through his NIL partnership with Two Rivers Fly Shop, he has used his platform and resources as a Razorback student-athlete to support environmental efforts across Northwest Arkansas, including conservation of the “Lake Norm” watershed located beyond the wall in right center at Baum-Walker Stadium.
In the classroom, Kozeal earned his degree in Communication from the U of A’s Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
Gwynn was nationally recognized throughout his life for his unyielding commitment to philanthropy. He and his wife, Alicia, established the Tony Gwynn Foundation to help fund charities supporting children in need, including supporting the Casa de Amparo Child Abuse Shelter, the Neighborhood House, YMCA and the Police Athletic League. In 1995, Tony earned the Branch Rickey Award as the top community activist in MLB and in 1999 he was named the Roberto Clemente Man of the year. He was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame and won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, presented to the MLB player who best exemplified the character and leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman. The Gwynn family has maintained Tony’s commitment to the community, including coordinating the Tony Gwynn Community All-Star Program, which recognizes local youth who support the San Diego community.
Gwynn was a 15-time MLB All-Star, won eight batting titles – the most in National League history – and finished his decorated 20-year career with a .338 batting average. He played his entire career with the San Diego Padres, after playing collegiately at San Diego State, where he also played basketball. A 2007 Hall of Fame inductee, Gwynn saw the SDSU baseball facility named in his honor, Tony Gwynn Stadium, and served as the head coach of the Aztecs, from 2003-14, winning three Mountain West Conference Championships and earning 2014 MWC Coach of the Year honors. The Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament, held each February at Gwynn Stadium and featuring some of the top teams in the nation, has quickly become one of the best non-conference, early-season tournaments in the college baseball calendar.
Gwynn passed away in 2014 after a long bout with cancer. He is survived by his wife Alicia, son Tony Jr., and daughter Anisha Nicole. His brother Chris attended SDSU and played for the Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals. Tony Jr. also played collegiately at SDSU, earning all-league honors in 2003 before the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in the second round. He played eight seasons in MLB, including time with the Brewers, Padres, Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. For more information about the Tony Gwynn Trophy or NCBWA, visit www.ncbwa.com.
