The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Athletics Department honors student-athletes for achievement off the field
04.17.2006 | Texas Athletics
AUSTIN, Texas -- In the presence of over 400 honored guests, their families and University of Texas staff members, student-athlete achievements off the playing field were recognized at the 10th Annual Men's Athletics Academic Awards Presentation Monday night in the Frank Erwin Center's Lone Star Room. Football standout David Thomas was honored with the most prestigious award of the evening, the Texas Exes Leadership Award, while P.J. Tucker (basketball) and Anthony Johnson (football) were honored with the Academic Services Student-Athlete Award. In addition, 131 student-athletes and 44 student support staffers were recognized for achieving at least a 3.0 grade point average during the 2005 calendar year.
"Academics are a priority at Texas," said UT Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds, "and this is one of my favorite events of the year. It allows us to reward our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication in the classroom. We are extremely proud of our student-athletes and the success they have achieved on and off the playing field."
The keynote speaker for the event was William C. Powers, the new President of The University of Texas. Powers, who took office on Feb. 1 of this year, previously served as the dean of The University's School of Law, where he won recognition for recruiting a world-class faculty and attracting highly diverse and talented students. He has been with The University since 1977.
"The University of Texas prides itself on not only providing a great competitive atmosphere for its student-athletes on the playing surface, but also in the classroom," said Dr. Michael Sanders, the Director of Texas' Life Skills Program who has coordinated each of the 10 Academic Awards Banquets. "The success of our student-athletes in the classroom is a testament to the focus and direction provided by DeLoss Dodds and the work of our academic services staff and the student-athletes themselves. This evening provides tangible evidence to that success and shows that Texas understands the importance of being a true student-athlete."
Eight Longhorn student-athletes and four student support staffers were honored with Provost Awards for posting a perfect 4.0 GPA for at least one semester in 2005. That group included Todd Bondy (football), Darren Damewood (student manager), Dallas Griffin (football), Andrew Klingsporn (student manager), Bryan Larson (student manager), John Littlepage (swimming and diving), Brandon McFarling (track and field), Karim Meijer (football), Danielle Muckleroy (student trainer), Ryan Schroeder (track and field), Cody Stavig (football) and Jordon Street (baseball).
The Lan Hewlett Award, which goes to player with the highest cumulative GPA in each of Texas' men's sports, was also handed out. Those honored were Roger Gubser (tennis), Karim Meijer (football), Matt Molnar (swimming and diving), Matthew Rosenfeld (golf), Drew Stubbs (baseball), David Thomas (football), Jon Von Letscher (track and field) and Mike Williams (basketball).
Lan Hewlett was an Honorary Academic Counselor at The University of Texas from 1957-1977. Coach Darrell Royal hired him as the nation's first football academic counselor. He served as liaison between faculty and athletics department and was nicknamed the "Brain Coach." Hewlett helped initiate compulsory study hall for freshman athletes. This award was established in his honor by the National Association of Academic Counselors. Hewlett is also listed in the Hall of Honor.
P.J. Tucker, a junior forward on the men's basketball team, and Anthony Johnson, a former Longhorn football player, earned UT's Academic Services Student-Athlete Award. The award is chosen by the Academic Services Staff and is given to a student-athlete who best exemplifies the balance both on the field of athletic competition and in the classroom. After missing half of the 2004-05 season due to academics, Tucker bounced back to record a 3.3 GPA in the Fall 2005 semester on his way to being named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. Johnson's career was cut short by injury, but that never deterred him in the classroom. Through dedication and hard work, Johnson earned his degree in December 2005.
Senior tight end David Thomas, who was a first-team All-Big 12 performer and a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is given to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement, received the evening's most prestigious award, the Texas Exes Leadership Award. That honor recognizes a UT men's athlete who embodies the attributes that are valued in alumni leadership. Thomas was recommended for the honor by Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds and approved by the President of the Texas Exes. It includes a Life Membership to the Texas Exes and is funded by the President's Leadership Award Endowment, which was created by UT benefactor Frank Denius in 1985.
Thomas also spoke on behalf of the honorees, capping off another fantastic evening in celebration of the academic and athletic success The University of Texas has seen throughout the past year.
"It was a tremendous honor to speak on behalf of the other student-athletes," said Thomas. "The life of a student-athlete, especially at Texas, can be very challenging and we wouldn't be able to be as successful as we are without the help and support of so many people throughout the administration. We have the best of the best here at Texas in all facets and on behalf of my fellow Longhorns, I'd like to thank you for everything."
ATHLETICS DIRECTOR/PROVOST AWARD
The Athletics Director Award is presented to student-athletes, managers, or trainers who have achieved a 3.0 or better grade point average in either of the preceding two semesters. The Provost Award is presented to student-athletes, managers, or trainers who have achieved a 4.0 grade point average in either of the preceding two semesters.
BASEBALL
Adrian Alaniz, So., Sinton, Texas (Sinton)
Drew Bishop, So., Rockwall, Texas (Rockwall)
Randy Boone, Jr., Yoakum, Texas (Yoakum)
Jordan Danks, Fr., Round Rock, Texas (Round Rock)
Chais Fuller, Jr., Fairfield, Calif. (Fairfield/Sacramento City College)
Todd Gilfillan, So., Austin, Texas (Westwood)
Kenn Kasparek, So., Weimar, Texas (Weimar)
Kyle McCulloch, Jr., Houston, Texas (Bellaire)
Tyler Newton, So., Rockwall, Texas (Rockwall)
Preston Pehrson, Jr., Arnold, Md. (Broadneck/Jacksonville Univ.)
Nick Peoples, Jr., Round Rock, Texas (Round Rock)
Alex Posey, Fr., Austin, Texas (St. Stephen's)
Andy Reese, So., Austin, Texas (Westlake)
Keith Shinaberry, Fr., Austin, Texas (Austin)
Jordon Street*, So., Austin, Texas (Westlake)
Juston Street, So., Austin, Texas (Westlake)
Drew Stubbs, Jr., Atlanta, Texas (Atlanta)
Bradley Suttle, Fr., Boerne, Texas (Boerne)
BASKETBALL
LaMarcus Aldridge, So., Dallas, Texas (Seagoville)
Connor Atchley, So., Clear Lake, Texas (Clear Lake)
Brad Buckman, Sr., Austin, Texas (Westlake)
Daniel Gibson, So., Houston, Texas (Jones)
J.D. Lewis, So., Amarillo, Texas (Midland College)
Ian Mooney, Jr., Austin, Texas (Saint Michaels Academy/Saint Louis)
Kenton Paulino, Sr., Los Angeles, Calif. (Maine Central Institute)
P.J. Tucker, Jr., Raleigh, N.C. (Enloe)
Mike Williams, So., Camden, Alabama (Wilcox Central)
Craig Winder, Jr., Hebron, Maryland (Cecil Community College)
FOOTBALL
Will Allen, Sr., Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls)
Steven Andrade, Sr., San Antonio, Texas (Southwest)
Sam Areias, Sr., Los Banos, Calif. (Los Banos)
Coy Aune, Jr., Austin, Texas (Westlake)
Ryan Bailey, So., Austin, Texas (Anderson)
Justin Blalock, Sr., Plano, Texas (East)
Todd Bondy*, Jr., Southlake, Texas (Carroll)
Jeremy Campbell, So., Richardson, Texas (Lake Highlands)
Ben Campos, Sr., New Braunfels, Texas (New Braunfels)
Xang Chareunsab, Sr., Houston, Texas (Aldine MacArthur)
Jamaal Charles, So., Port Arthur, Texas (Memorial)
Scott Derry, Sr., Pearland, Texas (Pearland)
Michael Flath, Sr., Arcadia (Arcadia), California
Adair Fragoso, Sr., El Paso, Texas (Faith Christian Academy)
Trevor Gerland, So., Katy, Texas (Cinco Ranch)
Dallas Griffin*, Sr., Katy, Texas (Taylor)
Marcus Griffin, Sr., Austin, Texas (Bowie)
Will Harvey, Jr., Houston, Texas (Memorial)
Antwaun Hobbs, Sr., Garland, Texas (South Garland)
Steven Hogan, Sr., Sugar Land, Texas (Strake Jesuit)
Greg Johnson, Sr., Lilburn, Texas (Parkview/Vanderbilt)
Nate Jones, Sr., Texarkana, Texas (Texas H.S.)
Drew Kelson, Sr., Houston, Texas (Lamar)
Chad Kugler, Jr., Richardson, Texas (Berkner)
Stephen Lane, Jr., Tyler, Texas (Gorman)
Derek Lokey, Jr., Denton, Texas (Ryan)
Mark McCoy, Sr., Dallas, Texas (Episcopal School of Dallas)
Colt McCoy, Fr., Tuscola, Texas (Jim Ned)
Mac McWhorter, Fr., Austin, Texas (Westwood)
Karim Meijer*, Sr., Katy, Texas (Taylor)
Ryan Moench, So., Austin, Texas (Westwood)
Rod Muckelroy, Fr., Hallsville, Texas (Hallsville)
Marcus Myers, Sr., Austin, Texas (Connally)
Matt Nordgren, Sr., Dallas, Texas (Bishop Lynch)
Chris Ogbonnaya, So., Missouri, Texas (Strake Jesuit)
Frank Okam, Jr., Dallas, Texas (Lake Highlands)
Kyle Phillips, Sr., Cypress, Texas (Cy-Fair)
Billy Pittman, Jr., Cameron, Texas (Yoe)
Brad Poronsky, Sr., Air Force Academy, Colo. (Air Academy)
Nic Redwine, So., Tyler, Texas (Lee)
Nick Schroeder, Sr., The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands)
Jonathan Scott, Sr., Dallas, Texas (Carter)
Cody Stavig*, Sr., Clackamas, Ore. (Clackamas)
Charlie Tanner, Fr., Austin, Texas (Anderson)
Michael Taylor, So., LaMarque, Texas (LaMarque)
Clayton Tefteller, Sr., Gilmer, Texas (Gilmer)
David Thomas, Sr., Wolfforth, Texas (Frenship)
Freddy Torres, So., Pecos, Texas (Pecos)
Neale Tweedie, Sr., Lucas, Texas (Allen)
Adam Ulatoski, Fr., Southlake, Texas (Carroll)
Peter Ullman, So., Austin, Texas (Round Rock)
Selvin Young, Sr., Houston, Texas (Jersey Village)
GOLF
Jeffery Bell, Sr., Plano, Texas (Plano West)
Hector Diaz-Ceballos, So., Morelos, Mexico (Bradenton [FL] Academy)
Farren Keenan, Jr., Middlesex, England (Kingston Grammar)
Matthew Mills, Sr., London, England (Coastal Carolina)
Matthew Rosenfeld, Sr., Plano, Texas (Greenhill School)
Kevin Schultz, So., Richardson, Texas (Berkner)
SWIMMING & DIVING
Blake Copple, Jr., Boise, Idaho (Bishop Kelly)
David Donaldson, Jr., San Antonio, Texas (Reagan)
Scott Drews, Fr., Jacksonville, Florida (The Bolles School)
Bailey Gao, Jr., Delta, BC, Canada (Univ. of British Columbia)
Wade Kelley, Sr., Marietta, Georgia (Walton)
Michael Klueh, Fr., Evansville, Indiana (Bowie)
John Littlepage*, Fr., Diego Martin, Trinidad (St. Mary's)
Matthew Lowe, So., Minot, N.D. (Minot)
Agustin Magruder, So., Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Regis Jesuit)
Caleb McDermott, So., Canyon Lake, Texas (Rolling Hill Academy)
Matthew McGinnis, So., Raleigh, N.C. (Ravenscroft)
Nathan Michaud, So., Austin, Texas (St. Andrew's)
Matt Molnar, Sr., Auburn, Ala. (Auburn)
Tyler O'Halloran, Jr., Boardman, Ohio (Boardman)
Sean Patton, Fr., Charlotte, N.C. (Butler)
Poston Pritchett, Jr., Durham, N.C. (Riverside)
Cliff Robbins, Sr., Allen, Texas (Allen)
Daniel Rohleder, So., Austin, Texas (St. Michael's Academy)
Christopher Seitz, So., Taylor Mill, Ky. (Scott)
Brian Smith, So., Carrollton, Texas (Creekview)
Garrett Weber-Gale, Jr., Fox Point, Wisc. (Nicolet)
TENNIS
Evan Bridges, Fr., Magnolia, Texas (Tomball)
Hubert Chodkiewicz, Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas (St. Stephen's)
Bernhard Deussner, So., Vienna, Austria (ORG Giesshuebl)
Roger Gubser, Sr., Laredo, Texas (St. Stephen's)
Travis Helgeson, So., Overland Park, Kansas (Blue Valley West)
Milan Mihailovic, So., Nis, Serbia (Gimnazija Svetozar Markovic)
TRACK & FIELD
Nick Baucum, Fr., Robstown, Texas (Calallen)
Alan Bean, Jr., Dalhart, Texas (Dalhart)
Quincy Boles, Sr., Harker Heights, Texas (Killeen)
Darren Brown, Jr., Spring, Texas (Klein)
Dustin Bynum, Fr., Corpus Christi, Texas (Flower Mound)
Mark Floreani, Sr., Chicago, Ill. (St. Ignatius)
Trey Griffin, Sr., Lockhart, Texas (Lockhart/SMU)
Brian Hanley, Sr., Fairbanks, Alaska (West Valley/Dartmouth)
Luke Hansen, Fr., The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands)
Donovan Kilmartin, Jr., Eagle, Idaho (Eagle)
Andra Manson, Jr., Brenham, Texas (Brenham)
Brandon McFarling*, Jr., College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated)
Andrew Middleton, Sr., College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated)
Matt Munoz, Jr., Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood)
Elliot O'Hare, Fr., Austin, Texas (LBJ)
Ryan Schroeder*, Fr., San Antonio, Texas (Reagan)
Erik Stanley, So., Spring, Texas (Klein)
Joseph Thorne, Sr., Chamblee, Ga. (Lakeside)
Jon Von Letscher, Sr., Austin, Texas (McCallum)
Ryan Wilson, Jr., Wichita, Kan. (Wichita Heights)
STUDENT MANAGERS
Katie Baker, Wes Carpenter, Darren Damewood*, Mark Franklin, Jake Frederick, Tony Gigli, Hunter Haglund, Blake Alexander Hill, Dan Huskerson, Cody Kelso, Andrew Klingsporn*, Bryan Larson*, Brett Miksch, Chris Mudge, Brenden Pittman, Tres Segler, Zach Struck, Nick Tarantino, Randyn Tenery, Drew Weitzel, Travis Wright
STUDENT TRAINERS
Adele Bosquez, Jill Brigle, Adriana Cantu, Derrick Chan, Brittany Gunter, Kassi Johnson, Brody Lawhon, Jesse Lopez, Kara Miller, Vanessa Morales, Danielle Muckleroy*, Derica Nealy, Sarah Petry, Dana Quintero, Diana Ramirez, Austin Reynolds, Marlene Rios, Kaleena Risley, Layne Schramm, Philip Scott, John Southerland, Crystal Tomlinson, Hanson Yang
*denotes 4.0 GPA
