Senior USF defensive end George Selvie received the Collegiate Hall of Fame Award on Saturday at the fourth annual Sigma Beta Scholarship and Community Awards Banquet in the Marshall Student Center.

Selvie was awarded the honor by the southern region of Phi Beta Sigma Inc., and the Crescent Foundation. He was also nominated for the National Emmitt Smith Award, which is presented in July in New Orleans.

“It means a lot to me,” Selvie said. “Not just getting recognized by the football world, but getting recognized by my fraternity.”

Part of Selvie’s recognition was because of his work in community service. Selvie works with football camps and participates in road cleanups Saturdays in the offseason.

“I like doing it,” Selvie said. “I want to be a teacher when I get done with football, so that’s good for me. It’s a good experience for what I want to do in life.”

Selvie has been a member of the Gamma Eta Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma for one year. He holds the position of auditor on the executive board where he helps the president, and helps with checks and balances for the treasurer.

Key speakers Saturday were Indianapolis Colts tight ends coach Ricky Thomas and Bay News 9 anchor Erica Riggins, who hosted the banquet.

Thomas addressed the Sigma Beta club, encouraging the young men in the audience to “be prepared for the unexpected” and that “perseverance is necessary.” He also described his 2007 Super Bowl experience and what is was like working with former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy.

The Sigma Beta club is an auxiliary group for men associated with Phi Beta Sigma that focuses on cultural, social and athletic extracurricular activities.

The Crescent Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides educational programs for males between the ages of 13 and 18 in affiliation with Gamma Eta Sigma.