Stampede of Champions

[Brad]

USF ATHLETICS GoUSFBulls.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: April 7, 2014

 

By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

 

Bulls Celebrate Big Year At Stampede Of Champions

O’Neal & Fairs honored as Athletes of the Year

 

TAMPA, APRIL 7, 2014 â€“ USF Athletics rolled out the red carpet to celebrate a special year of accomplishments during the second annual Stampede of Champions at the Sun Dome on Sunday night.

 

Every USF team was represented at the Hollywood-style awards show that was hosted by junior offensive lineman Thor Jozwiak, former women’s soccer player Catherine Leibbrandt and track & field athlete Giscard Petion.

 

The Bulls gathered in formal attire for a reception in the Arena Club and the main part of Sunday’s program was the awards show that was presented by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. A total of 18 awards were divided among categories that included team of the year (men’s golf, 2013 Big East champion), male athlete of the year (Matthew O’Neal, men’s soccer starter, track & field All-American triple jumper), female athlete of the year (Erin Fairs, American volleyball player of the year) and coach of the year (Ken Eriksen, softball).

 

Award winners were determined by votes from USF student-athletes and coaches. Softball player Sam Greiner took home the night’s prestigious honor when she was presented with the Lee Roy Selmon Award, an enduring example of integrity, academic excellence, compassion and competitiveness.

 

“I thought it was a first-class event and it has to be one of the best awards banquets in the country,” men’s tennis coach Matt Hill said. “I’ve been a part of two SEC programs and they never had anything like that.”

 

The complete list of awards and recipients is listed below:

 

Female Athlete of the Year â€“ Erin Fairs, volleyball

Male Athlete of the Year â€“ Matthew O’Neal, men’s soccer, track & field

Team of the Year â€“ Men’s golf, 2013 Big East champions, NCAA tourney appearance

Coach of the Year â€“ Ken Eriksen, softball

 Best Performance â€“ Samuel Hosseini, men’s soccer (bicycle kick goal against FGCU, Aug. 30, 2013)

Male Newcomer of the Year â€“ Lindo Mfeka, men’s soccer

Female Newcomer of the Year â€“ Lee Ann Spivey, softball

USF Spirit Award â€“ Abby Ritter, cross country, track & field

Team Sportsmanship Award â€“ Women’s tennis

Most Improved Student-Athlete â€“ Courtney Williams, women’s basketball

Moment of the Year â€“ Men’s soccer, American Athletic Conference tournament win

Best Comeback â€“ Women’s soccer (3-2, double-overtime win over UConn, Oct. 6, 2013)

Team Community Award â€“ Baseball

Male Scholar of the Year â€“ Derek Messmore, track & field

Female Scholar of the Year â€“ Mallory Johnson, track & field

Unsung Hero â€“ Neena Pacholke, women’s basketball

Lee Roy Selmon Award â€“ Sam Greiner, softball

Staff Member of the Year â€“ William Reeves

- #GoBulls -

[Brad]

Another something I must have missed over the years being out here in this inferno of a place to live.

 

I don't even remember it last year...

[DELdaBull]

Don't remember this last year either.

[SilverBull]

Went to this Sunday night and was thoroughly entertained and impressed.  Great event almost entirely done by the student athletes.  It included the awards presentations and some super videos and parodies of popular commercials prepared by and starring our athletes.   The turnout was large and spirited.   It was a really nice opportunity to witness our athletes reveling in their own environment.

[raptorcj]

Very cool!