There may never be another Lt. Andy Zulli Award winner like Robert Strong in University of Dayton football history.

Strong, a senior wide receiver from Detroit, was announced as the winner of the 57th Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of Dayton’s 28-13 win over Drake last Saturday. The award that is based on character and leadership came as bit of a shock to Strong.

“It’s the greatest honor I’ve ever received,” he said after Saturday’s game. “I just try every day to live out God’s love through my life and try to do it on the field too, in practice and in the games. Just try to be an example for everyone. It’s just honor and a testament of what God has done in my life.”

Standing behind him, waiting for the post-game interviews to be finished, were his parents and friends and, of course, his wife.

At 22 years old, Strong isn’t only a college football player, studying engineering and working part time for an engineering company at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, but on top of everything, he’s married. It might seem like he’s spreading himself a little thin with so much to do, but Strong said his wife, Jessica, makes his life easier.

“My wife’s really supportive,” Strong said. “She stays at home, she cleans, she does all my laundry for me, she cooks, goes shopping. I feel bad because I’m not able to do any of that stuff, but I help her when I can like when I have time off we’ll go to the store together. She does a remarkable job keeping the house up, so when that when I do come home we can spend time together. That’s what I really love. She’s my best friend.”

According to Strong, the two met at church after a mutual friend, who lived across the hall from Strong in the Founders Hall dorm, somewhat set the two up to meet.

“We went to church … he didn’t even really introduce us,” Strong said. “We didn’t really say anything to each other, but he asked me afterward, ‘Dude, what’d you think?’ And I was like, ‘She’s really hot.’ He came back to school a couple days later and was like, ‘I talked to her, here’s her number.’ I just texted her and the rest is history.”

Strong said he proposed to Jessica in December of 2011, one day before the UD football team banquet. The couple were married in June by Jessica’s uncle. Head coach Rick Chamberlin said he and a few other UD football coaches and players attended the wedding.

“I’ve said it before, these are my boys,” Chamberlin said. “And to see one of your boys get married, it’s emotional.”

Being the only married guy on a roster full of college football players, leaves Strong as the team’s relationship expert.

“The most common one is ‘What’s it like to be married,’” said Strong about the type of questions his teammates ask him. “And the best answer I can give is it’s like being with your best friend 24/7. She’s always there.”

And while Strong has one game left in his football career, Jessica is no slouch herself when it comes to sports. She played basketball at Tippecanoe and was one of the leaders on a top-ranked 2009 team that lost in overtime to Alter in the regional finals.

Jessica then went on to play at Sinclair Community College before transferring to Wright State where she is a junior studying rehabilitation services, Strong said.