Class of 2009 football team at awards ceremony
So tonight was the University of Miami football team’s award ceremony in correlation with the bowl game announcement. It was the first time the public was invited to the event.
In case you haven’t heard, No. 14 Miami (9-3) will take on Big Ten opponent and No. 24 Wisconsin (9-3) in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando at 8 p.m. Dec. 29, on ESPN.
Before the ceremony, players, coaches and fans alike pretty much knew it would be this bowl. And they weren’t complaining. Senior offensive lineman Matt Pipho proclaimed, along with me, that “We’re going to Disney World!”
This will be a great chance for the UM crowd to show up big, less than four hours away by car. Let’s go on the Florida Turnpike, shall we?!
The entire team was there, at the Gusman Concert Hall on campus. It was a nice change to see the players dressed up with their families. I even bumped into offensive coordinator Mark Whipple when I was walking back to my car, and told him a job well done so far this season. In his true form he said that there was still one game to go.
Emphasis on the night:
- Head coach Randy Shannon’s tenure will be for a long time. Everyone seemed pleased with his job.
- There was a lot of talk on the great job done academically.
- All of the seniors seemed humbled - from Jimmy Graham to Joe Joseph
- This team could win 10 wins and catapult itself into the top 10 for prime position at a national championship for my senior year…
- The players can be just as bad as girls sometimes, giggling at inside jokes (lol). And a meow for two of their teammates after an award?!
- The highlight video was pretty awesome, but where were the Clemson, Virginia Tech and North Carolina games?! Hmm…Everyone got really involved with it, with plenty of oohhs and ahhs.
- Make no mistake about it: Vaughn Telemaque or Ray-Ray Armstrong will win hardest hitter in the future. They just need to stay healthy.
- The Band of the Hour did a good job performing several times. It’s a shame none of us really know the lyrics to the Alma Mater…
In terms of awards, below is the list. Major props to senior linebacker Darryl Sharpton winning the defensive MVP. He went to high school with me at Coral Gables.
- Jack Harding Award MVP goes to Darryl Sharpton on defense
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Jack Harding Award MVP goes to Jason Fox for offense
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Newcomer of the Year Award goes to Mike James
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Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-On Award goes to Chris Ivory
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Walt Kichefski Hurricane Award - Commitment, Consistency, Work Ethic goes to Sam Shields
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Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player goes to Matt Pipho
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Strength Training Athlete of the Year goes to Allen Bailey
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Special Teams Player of the Year goes to Matt Bosher
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Hard Hitter Award goes to Darryl Sharpton!
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Scout Team Player of the Year goes to Cory Nelms & Spencer Whipple
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Hurricane Media “Good Guy” Award goes to Randy Phillips & Jacory Harris
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Training Room Comeback Player of the Year goes to Dedrick Epps & Colin McCarthy
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Community Service Man of the Year Award goes to Ryan Hill & Chavez Grant
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UM Sports Hall of Fame Unsung Hero goes to Tervaris Johnson
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Melching Leadership Award goes to Javarris James & Joe Joseph
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Plumer Award for Leadership, Motivation & Spirit goes to Randy Phillips
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Mariutto Family Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence goes to Jake Byrne
“I’d love to go anywhere in Florida just to be near all of our fans. It was a little surreal at first when I got in there, but when it was all said and done it flashed by. It was great.”
“You saw them. Obviously we’ll have new uniforms for the home game.”
-senior scout team wide receiver Kris Kimball
“Definitely a rental, I think.”
-Pipho on Sebastian the Ibis’ suit