2009 National ARA Sportsmanship Award Goes to Kansas State University’s Jeron Mastrud
Wildcat tight end known for hard work, leadership and respect on and off the field
Kansas State University Wildcats are walking tall with the announcement of their senior tight end, Jeron Mastrud, as recipient of this year’s ARA Sportsmanship Award, presented by the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) www.arasportsmanshipaward.com.
“The ARA Sportsmanship Award is the only national award that recognizes an athlete’s character as it relates to sportsmanship,” said Glenn Beckworth, president of the ARA.
“Our blue ribbon panel of retired coaches and sports experts had a daunting task this year with so many outstanding Bowl Division candidates. In this, our fifth year, it was a very tight race and we’re encouraged by the caliber of athletes that live and breathe good sportsmanship,” said former Brigham Young University football coach and selection committee chairman, LaVell Edwards.
“It was Mastrud’s unselfish, classy and service-oriented approach to the game and to life that made him stand out. He’s an extremely hard worker with a positive can-do attitude. I’m deeply honored to name him the 2009 recipient of the ARA Sportsmanship Award.”
With a strong work ethic for academics and football, 22-year old senior Mastrud has been a team leader since his freshman year. Known for his humble approach toward coaches, teammates, opponents and the media, Mastrud was a 2009 First Team All-Big 12 selection who caught 21 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown during 2009. A team captain, he appeared in 48 of a possible 49 games during his Wildcat career, while he started a team-best 26 straight games to conclude his tenure in Manhattan.
Earning a 3.81 GPA in business administration, Mastrud has earned high praises for his academic achievements as Second Team Academic All-American and one of 10 players nationally to earn Academic All-America honors in consecutive seasons. In addition to his academic achievements and football records, the Beaverton, Oregon native and son of a high school football coach has shown his steadfast commitment to community service.
The ARA Sportsmanship Award is presented to the NCAA Bowl Division collegiate football player who most exemplifies sportsmanship on and off the field. Mastrud was selected from 10 finalists representing schools across the country.
Previous winners are Northwestern University receiver Eric Peterman (2008); Washington State quarterback Alex Brink (2007); Cincinnati Bengals fullback Brian Leonard (2006); and Carolina Panthers running back, DeAngelo Williams (2005).
To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team; be a senior in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.
All NCAA Bowl Division schools were eligible to submit nominations for the ARA Sportsmanship Award. The finalists were selected in a blinded process by representatives from ARA; the winner was selected by a blue-ribbon panel comprised of famous retired college coaches, members of the sports media and representatives from other complementary organizations.
Source: Awards and Recognition Association
Armanti Edwards wins 2009 Walter Payton Award
Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards was named the 23rd winner of the Walter Payton Award Thursday night at The Sports Network’s Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet, held at the Chattanooga Convention Center on the eve of the NCAA Division I Football Championship title game.
Edwards became the first player to capture the award in back-to-back seasons and the first two-time winner of the Payton Award. Appalachian State linebacker Dexter Coakley, who won the first two Buck Buchanan Awards in 1995-96 and James Madison coach Mickey Matthews, who won the Eddie Robinson Award in 1999 and again in 2008, are the only other two-time award winners at the FCS level.
The Payton Award, named for the legendary Jackson State and Chicago Bears running back, is presented annually to the top player in FCS.
“It is a great honor to win it again,” said Edwards. “But I wouldn’t have done any of this without the help of my teammates.”
The 6-foot-tall, 185-pound senior signal-caller became the first quarterback in NCAA history to pass for more than 10,000 yards and rush for over 4,000 yards in his career. He ranked third nationally in total offense and fifth in passing efficiency in the regular season, and finished with 3,291 yards passing and 679 yards rushing, with 30 combined touchdowns for 2009.
For his career, Edwards finished with 14,753 yards of total offense, ranking him second on the all-time list behind Alcorn State great Steve McNair.
Edwards missed the first game of the year after a lawn mower badly lacerated his right foot at the beginning of training camp and required 35 stitches to close. He also sat out the final game of the regular season with an ACL strain.
The multi-talented quarterback led Appalachian State to its fifth consecutive Southern Conference title and playoff berth and had over 400 yards of total offense three times and over 300 yards seven times during the regular season.
For the second year in a row, Edwards finished first by a landslide, with 55 first-place votes and 431 points. Terrell Hudgins of Elon became the highest- placing receiver since Villanova’s Brian Finneran won the award in 1997, finishing second with 268 points, just ahead of Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim. (Full voting information is available at sportsnetwork.com)
The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987 by The Sports Network and previous winners of the honor include current NFL players such as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (2002, Eastern Illinois), Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (2001, Villanova), and former Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair (1994, Alcorn State).
Source: The Sports Network
MLB.com unveils 2009 This Year in Baseball award winners
MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, announced the results of online voting in its eighth annual This Year in Baseball Awards during a live hour-long video webcast from its New York City studios. The voting saw a record 12 million votes cast as the top players and moments from the 2009 season were chosen from 14 different categories, as well as a new honor, none of which were restricted to individual League affiliation.
“These year-end awards are a privilege to present and have grown in importance, both in terms of fan participation and in how they are received by the winners,” said Dinn Mann, Executive Vice President, Content, and Editor-in-Chief, MLB.com. “We are grateful for every vote, and more, for the platform to celebrate greatness in baseball and to continue to identify ways to expand this significant, deserved recognition.”
A complete list of 2009 winners is below:
Hitter of the Year: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins (.365, 28 HR, 96 RBIs)
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals (16-8, 2.16 ERA, 242 Ks)
Closer of the Year: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees (44 SV, 1.76 ERA)
Setup Man of the Year: Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants (74 G, 1.73 ERA)
Rookie of the Year: J.A. Happ, Philadelphia Phillies (12-4, 2.93 ERA)
Manager of the Year: Jim Tracy, Colorado Rockies (92-70, NL Wild Card)
Executive of the Year: Ruben Amaro Jr., Philadelphia Phillies (93-69, NL East champs)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox (.994 FPCT)
Unsung Star of the Year: Jayson Werth, Philadelphia Phillies (36 HR, 99 RBIs, 20 SB)
Performance of the Year: Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox (Perfect game, 7/23)
Play of the Year: Dewayne Wise, Chicago White Sox (Catch preserved perfect game, 7/23)
Moment of the Year: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees (Passed Gehrig for NYY hits, 9/11)
Postseason Moment of the Year: Johnny Damon, New York Yankees (WS Game 4)
Oddity of the Year: Phillies fanatic (Dad’s catch thrown back by daughter, 9/15)
A special, first-ever X-Factor of the Year was awarded to former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre through a media-only vote by MLB.com editors, reporters and multimedia personnel. In 2010, this category will be added to the overall voting process. The 2010 This Year in Baseball Awards will include additional exciting enhancements to be unveiled at a later date.
Awards will be presented individually to this year’s winners in on-field pre-game ceremonies during the 2010 regular season.
Source: MLB.com
Derek Jeter named 2009 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year
Sports Illustrated Group Editor Terry McDonell announced that Derek Jeter is the 2009 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. Jeter is the first New York Yankee to receive this award. Previous winners include Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. The 2009 SI Sportsman of the Year issue hits newsstands Wednesday, December 2. The issue marks the 11th cover appearance for Jeter.
Since 1954 the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year has been presented annually to the person who excelled in athletic performance and demonstrated great character. “Over all the years SI editors have used the same language to define the award,” said McDonell. “It is not for the victory alone that he (or she) is honored; rather, it is for the quality of his effort and the manner of his striving.’ And that defines Derek Jeter.”
“While having a Hall of Fame career and under a brilliant spotlight, Derek conducts himself with class and a selfless demeanor that allows not only his teammates but also his sport and his community to flourish,” McDonell continued. “It was his leadership both on and off the field that drove the Yankees to the world championship, and his Turn 2 Foundation is one of the most efficient and effective foundations of its kind. It is an honor to include Derek Jeter in the Sportsman fraternity.”
Jeter’s selection caps another outstanding season for the 35-year-old team captain and future Hall of Famer. In 2009 he batted .334 while leading the Yankees to their fifth World Series title in his 14 full seasons, their first since 2000 and their major league record 27th. On September 11, Jeter got his 2,722 hit, breaking Lou Gehrig’s 70-year-old franchise record. Jeter now has 2,747. In 2009, Jeter led the American League by reaching base 289 times, finished second in the league in hits (212), third in batting average and on-base percentage (.406), fourth in runs (107), and eighth in stolen bases (30). He was named an All-Star for the 10th time, including the sixth time as a starter, while winning his fourth AL Silver Slugger as the best hitting shortstop in the league, and his fourth Gold Glove as the league’s top defensive shortstop.
In 14 postseason games Jeter lived up to his reputation as a clutch player, batting .344 with a .432 on-base percentage, three home runs and six RBIs. He batted .407 in the World Series to help lead the Yankees to a six-game victory against the defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies. During the Series Jeter was named the American League recipient of the Hank Aaron Award, given to the best hitter in each league as voted on by the fans, and the winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who best displays skill on the field while giving back to the community off it.
Jeter will be honored at a ceremony in Manhattan on December 1 along with SI Kids’ SportsKid of the Year, Austin McCarthy. Sponsors for the Sportsman of the Year event include Ford, Gillette, Liberty Mutual and Verizon.
Jeter is the 10th baseball honoree and only the third in the last 34 years. Others players named Sportsman after great World Series-winning performances include Johnny Podres (’55), Sandy Koufax (’65), Tom Seaver (’69), Pete Rose (’75), Willie Stargell (along with Terry Bradshaw ['79]), Orel Hershiser (’88), Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson (’01) and the Boston Red Sox (’04).
Source: www.si.com/sportsman
HUMMER focuses on Outdoor Recreation and Off-Road Racing at the 2009 SEMA Show
With a renewed focus on recreation and off-road racing performance, HUMMER comes to Las Vegas and the 2009 SEMA Show with a group of four special trucks and SUVs demonstrating the purpose-built nature of HUMMER vehicles.
HUMMER introduces two concepts, the H3 Moab, outfitted with a host of off-road performance accessories inspired by its namesake, and the H3T Sportsman – a proposal for the ultimate outdoorsman’s truck. In addition, Rod Hall Racing’s two-time Baja 1000 full stock-class winning H3 Alpha and Robby Gordon Off-Road’s Dakar-proven HUMMER round-out HUMMER’s 2009 SEMA Show display.
“HUMMER is refocusing on what made the brand successful, which is building rugged, all-terrain vehicles with capabilities that meet the needs of our customers,” said James Taylor, HUMMER CEO. “These concepts not only highlight the off-road performance technology built into our models from the factory, they are inspiration for enthusiasts who want to express themselves via their H3 or H3T.”
While none of these specialized HUMMERs are currently targeted for production, they incorporate Genuine HUMMER Accessories and other aftermarket parts available today, allowing owners and enthusiasts to replicate much the concept vehicles’ enhanced capability and performance.
H3 Moab
HUMMER is the ultimate vehicle for the independent spirit, and the H3 Moab is no exception. Inspired by trails like Steel Bender, Moab Rim, and Poison Spyder, the H3 Moab pays homage to one of the world’s greatest landscapes and off-road enthusiasts’ playground.
Beginning with the solid off-road foundation of a 300-horsepower, V8-powered H3 Alpha with factory-installed front- and rear- locking differentials, the H3 Moab features a combination of production equipment, available aftermarket components and specialized modifications.
At the heart of the H3 Moab’s design is the combination of a Rancho four-inch front suspension lift and a custom rear spring-over conversion inspired by current HUMMER engineering test vehicles. The suspension modifications are supported by Rancho shocks and sure-footed performance is provided by its 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires mounted on custom 17-inch 2-piece Monster Black Competition Beadlock Raceline Wheels by Allied.
The H3′s standard underbody protection has been augmented with additional custom shielding and a HUMMER Genuine Accessory brushguard and rocker protection provide the Canyon Metallic exterior paint with defense against the elements. Mounted atop the H3 is a Gobi Ranger roof basket to increase cargo carrying capacity for long overland journeys. The H3 Moab also features HUMMER Genuine Accessory lower grille mounted lamps and six Delta Xenon roof basket-mounted off-road lamps to provide lighting in all conditions.
Rounding out the exterior enhancements are a Predator Motorsports H3 winch mount system with a Warn XD9000 winch and Viking Off-Road synthetic winchline to deliver an integrated recovery solution for any situation encountered on the trail.
Functional additions to the H3 Moab continue into the vehicle’s interior with the addition of custom all-weather flooring, HUMMER Genuine Accessory all-weather floor mats and cargo area mat. To aid in trail visibility, front- and rear-facing cameras have been integrated into the vehicle bumpers and display the terrain fore and aft on the navigation radio screen. Integrated into the rear cargo area of the vehicle is a Warn Air-Power SPI, ideal for airing-up tires for the trip home after a long weekend on the trail.
Restoration for Recreation
HUMMER engineers have used the natural proving grounds surrounding Moab, UT since the introduction of HUMMER vehicles. As such, the brand and its owners have been an ongoing partner of Tread Lightly to promote responsible recreation to ensure open access for future generations. To continue this relationship and in conjunction with the introduction of the H3 Moab, HUMMER will make a donation to Tread Lightly for every photo of HUMMER vehicles in Moab posted to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hummer. These funds will be directed towards projects in Moab under the Tread Lightly Restoration for Recreation grant program.
H3T Sportsman
The H3T Sportsman concept demonstrates the ideal midsize truck for the outdoor enthusiast whose weekends are spent in the field or stream. HUMMER designers enhanced the H3T Alpha’s inherent functionality with a combination of powertrain modifications, suspension enhancements and a balanced selection of Genuine HUMMER Accessories and aftermarket components.
Starting with a new H3T Alpha, engineers added nearly 70 horsepower to its 5.3L V-8 via components available in the aftermarket. They include LS2 cylinder heads, a higher-lift camshaft and supporting components. Also enhancing performance is a custom, 3.5-inch exhaust system.
Taking a note from playbook of the HUMMER stock-class race program, the H3T rides on 35-inch-tall BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tires mounted on HUMMER Accessory 20-inch wheels. The concept also uses racing-proven stock and aftermarket suspension components, including Light Racing JounceShocks and 2-inch-diameter Rod Hall Racing piggyback reservoir-type performance shocks. The modified suspension improves the H3T’s inherent off-road capability for traversing all forms of terrain.
To enhance the storage flexibility of the H3T’s 5-foot bed and standard bed-rail system, the Sportsman includes right- and left- side lockable storage boxes from HUMMER Genuine Accessories, perfect for securing valuable hunting and fishing gear.
Additionally, the Wildrye Matte custom paint is highlighted by functional HUMMER accessories, including grille-mounted and custom low-profile front- and rear-facing roof-rail mounted Delta off-road lamps, a body-color upper grille and a matte finish fuel door.
A Predator Motorsports H3 winch mount system with a Warn XD9000 winch and Viking Off-Road synthetic winchline and Expert Recovery Kit provide the necessary recovery tools for any situation. On the interior, added HUMMER Genuine Accessories all-weather floor mats and seat covers protect the crew cab’s interior from elements.
Robby Gordon Off-Road Dakar HUMMER
HUMMER and Robby Gordon Off-road have joined together again to take on the 2010 Dakar Rally, widely considered to be the most grueling off-road race in the world due to its brutal terrain and extreme environmental conditions. Gordon will lead Team HUMMER from behind the wheel of his HUMMER H3 race truck.
Gordon was the first American to win a stage at Dakar, and he has been passionate about the program ever since. Since forming the relationship and building his Dakar HUMMER for the 2006 Rally, Gordon and Team HUMMER have proven a formidable Dakar challenger. In 2007, he finished first in the OP class and 8th overall. In 2008, Gordon’s elite off-road team entered two Robby Gordon Off-Road HUMMERS in the Central Europe Rally. Gordon won two stages and finished tenth overall while the second HUMMER piloted by BJ Baldwin went on to finish seventh overall. Gordon finished the 2009 Dakar Rally in third place overall, an impressive feat in the highly competitive rally race.
Gordon’s H3 consists of a custom HUMMER body paired with a specially developed chassis featuring a suspension designed by him and his Off-Road team. The H3 is a tube-chassis vehicle similar to Trophy Trucks raced in the famed Baja 1000, except that it has a fully enclosed air-conditioned cockpit, including windshield and side windows. It is powered by a production-based General Motors V8 engine.
Rod Hall Racing H3 Alpha
The Rod Hall Racing HUMMER H3 Alpha represents the ultimate HUMMER stock-class desert racing machine. Piloted by Chad Hall, the H3 Alpha prepares to enter the 2009 SCORE International Baja 1000 in the hyper-competitive full-size stock class. The H3 Alpha was the first stock class vehicle to finish in the 2007 and 2008 Baja 1000 and 2008 Baja 500.
In addition to entering the H3 Alpha in the 2009 Baja 1000, team founder and namesake, Rod Hall will enter his mid-size stock H3. Rod will partner with his eldest son and 2007 Baja 1000 mini-stock class winner Josh Hall.
Rod Hall Racing Team HUMMER competes in the stock class, which features production-based vehicles with stock frames, stock suspension designs and production-based engines. The Team HUMMER H3 Alpha and H3 were built by HUMMER engineers at the Desert Proving Grounds in Arizona. Engineering participation in racing has resulted in various improvements to production components, including suspension bushings, exhaust systems, and wiring harness routing and configuration
Team HUMMER won every stock class season championship in the Best in the Desert and SCORE International racing series in 2008.
Source: General Motors