PROVO -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Utah State Chapter will honor the 2004 BYU men's volleyball team at the 26th Annual Dinner of Champions Thursday at the Little America Hotel.
"It's a great honor for our team to be honored for our accomplishments," BYU head coach Tom Peterson said. "It was a wonderful season for me and for our program."
Each year, the Society, founded in 1946, recognizes athletes and community leaders who make a difference in the community and show determination in athletics. The volleyball team was selected based on its impressive 2004 national championship season.
The team captured its third national championship in six years and the first for head coach Tom Peterson as the BYU coach. In 1994 he won a national championship as the head coach of Penn State, making him the only coach to win a national title at two different schools.
The Cougar's amazing 2004 season included a 21-match win streak, the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship, and the NCAA Championship.
"A lot of our success had to do with the fans and those that support our program," Peterson said.
BYU showed its determination as a team, overcoming a Long Beach State in the championship match. After losing the first game, the Cougars fought back, winning two of the next three. In the fifth and final game, BYU fell behind 10-6 and faced two Long Beach match points. Despite the adversity, the Cougars came out on top, winning the final game 19-17 and taking home the national championship.
The 2003 University of Utah football team will also be honored as team of the year at the Dinner of Champions. Proceeds from the dinner, the National MS Society's longest-running fundraiser, help support research and local client programs including educational workshops, physical therapy, and support groups.
These programs are designed to improve the physical and emotional well-being of those with MS. The Utah State Chapter raises money to help fund research to help find the cause and cure of MS as well as provide free services to Utahans living with MS.
"It's wonderful to be recognized along with the University of Utah football team as team of the year," Peterson said. "It's an honor to be recognized by an organization that helps other people."