A member oftheVanderbiltUniversitymen's cross country team is competing with the nation's most heralded college quarterback, Florida's Tim Tebow, and three other athletes for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup for being a positive influence.

Vanderbilt senior Rob Whiting will learn on Jan. 14 whether he bests the other candidates at a ceremony at the East Lake Golf Club inAtlanta.

The Wooden Cup is named for John Wooden, coach of the UCLA men's basketball team from 1948 to 1976. It is given each year to a collegiate and professional athlete who have made the greatest positive influence in the lives of others. The professional award will go to retired baseball player Cal Ripkin Jr.

The Wooden Cup is awarded by Athletes for a Better World, a non-profit organization committed to changing the culture of American sports.

Whiting, an Ingram Scholar at Vanderbilt and double major in economics and East Asian Studies fromFernadina Beach,Fla., is the founder of Vanderbilt Students for Students, an organization that strives to build connections between Vanderbilt and under-resourced high schools. VSS has awarded two college scholarships to students fromPearl-CohnHigh SchoolinNashvillewith more on the horizon.

Whiting has also served as committee chair for Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility and spent part of three summers inChina, where he hopes to return to promote poverty alleviation and social entrepreneurship.

The other nominees for the Wooden Cup are Ryan Adler, a hockey player atHobartCollege; Andrew Berry, a football player atHarvardCollege; Lauren Mioton, a basketball player atPurdueUniversity; and Tebow, last year's Heisman Trophy winner who is a top candidate for this year as well.

Tebow, by the way, will learn Saturday if he's returning as Heisman winner for his efforts in guiding the Florida Gators into the BCS championship game against the Oklahoma Sooners.

--Vanderbilt News Service and Hustler staff reports