PROVO -- Hundreds of BYU athletes and Cougar Club members gathered for the annual Cougar Club Y Awards on Tuesday evening, paying tribute to the top student-athletes, coaches and volunteers for their efforts on and off the field.
The ceremony will be televised nationally on BYUTV at a later date.
Various sports throughout the BYU athletic department have received both Mountain West Conference and national recognition within the last year. BYU has won 11 conference championships and currently ranks 23rd in the Sports Academy Director's Cup Division I standings, which ranks the top overall athletics programs in the country, making it the top Mountain West Conference school and the top school from a non-BCS conference.
The winners among the nominated BYU student-athletes are selected by a vote of their student-athlete peers and represent the finest accomplishments and performances of the past 12 months.
Comedic relief was offered by BYU religion professor, John Bytheway, who joked that he was a star athlete himself for the intramural program. Bytheway commended the BYU athletes for the influence they have on the community and his children.
The Cougar football team stole the show earning the most awards.
Football running back star Harvey Unga won the Male Rookie of the Year award. In the 2007 season Unga set the BYU Freshman rushing record with 1,227 yards, was named a Freshman All-American and was also named MWC Freshman of the Year.
Wide receiver Matt Allen was honored with the Ed Stein Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award. A MWC All-Academic selection who totaled 31 receptions on the season for 358 yards and three touchdowns.
A highlight of the evening happened when football Linebacker Bryan Kehl gave his acceptance speech after winning the Dale McCann Spirit of Sport award.
"I would like to thank my future wife," Kehl, who is single, said. "I thought that maybe if I start thanking her in public, she'll come out from hiding."
Kehl served as a team captain, earned All-MWC honors and is a two-time academic All-Conference performer.
The deserving football team was also awarded the coveted Team of the Year award. The team finished ranked No. 15 nationally with an 11-2 record. They went undefeated at home and in conference play, won the Mountain West Conference Championship for the second year in a row, beat Utah in magnificent fashion and secured a bowl game victory with a 17-16 win over UCLA in the Pioneer Pure Vision Las Vegas Bowl.
Football walked away with yet another award when it was announced the grid iron team won the Play of the Year for Eathyn Manumaleuna's game-winning blocked field goal against UCLA at the Pioneer Pure Vision Las Vegas Bowl.
In addition to the football team, the BYU women's volleyball team received Team of the Year honors. The team finished spectacular year in 2007 with a 24-8 overall record and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
The women's soccer team was also honored with numerous awards.
Freshman Kassidy Christensen was named the Female Rookie of the Year. Christensen earned a Soccer Buzz 2007 Freshman All-America Fourth Team nomination this year.
The Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to soccer player Katie Larkin. In 2007, Larkin finished the season ranked 28th nationally in goals per game and received multiple All-America honors.
Soccer player Katie Fellows was honored as the Female Crowd Pleaser. Fellows was named MWC Championship Tournament MVP for her two-goal performance in the championship game against UNLV at BYU's South Stadium.
Track and field National Champion Niklas Arrhenius won the Male Athlete of the Year award. Arrhenius claimed the national title in the discus and currently holds the 15th-best throw in the world.
Men's Basketball star Jonathan Tavernari was awarded the Male Crowd Pleaser award. Throughout the season this sophomore set the BYU and sophomore MWC records for three-pointers in a season with 88.
Women's volleyball player was awarded the Walk-On of the Year award. As a senior, Pinegar set the BYU record for digs in a season with 481.
Chelsea Goodman won the Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior Female Athlete Aaward for her significant contribution to the women's volleyball team. Goodman is the first women's volleyball player named to an All-America Team since 2000.
Men's track and field athlete Whitney Neves received the Cougar Club Memorial Junior award for his outstanding performance in the pole vault. He was named to the All-MWC Indoor Team and competed in the pole vault at the 2008 NCAA Indoor National Championships.
After suffering a broken neck in a car accident, Natalia Jimenez, who got emotional while accepting her award, received Comeback Player of the Year honors. This women's golfer has made a strong return since suffering the injuries. She now leads Cougars in Fall 2007 Scoring Averages and helped lead BYU to a 2007 No. 13 national ranking. This is the second year this award has been given to any athlete.
Senior Dayna Smart-Allen received the Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport award. Smart-Allen earned the award for not only excelling in gymnastics but for exemplifying the true spirit of sport in athletics and life.
Cheer squad member Jessica Bingham was given the Floyd Johnson Service award for her active involvement as an executive member of the Cougar. She coordinated the 2008 Blood Drive at BYU.
For the second year in a row gymnast Hayley Jensen was honored with the Kimball Memorial award. This is only the second time the award has been given to the same student more than once. The honor is given outstanding athlete who is active in their respective sport and and who has the highest scholarly achievement of those who qualify. Jensen currently maintains a 3.99 in psychology while significantly contributing to the gymnastics team.
Several BYU coaches were honored at the Y Awards.
Softball coach Gordon Eakin was named Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 43-22 record and to BYU's furthest post-season appearance ever. It was the third consecutive berth to the NCAA Regionals for the softball team. He currently claims the all-time wins record at BYU, tallying more than 200 victories in his career.
Patrick Fisher was named Assistant Coach of the Year. Fisher is the assistant coach over men's tennis. Although this is his first year at BYU, Fisher has already made a significant impact on the tennis program as he led the team to a 7-1 home record this spring.
Men's Basketball coach Dave Rose won the Dale Rex Memorial award. The award is given to the individual thought to have contributed most to amateur athletics in the state of Utah. Rose has returned BYU basketball to the national stage with the program's first back-to-back top-25 seasons since 1981 and 1982.In his last two seasons Rose provided the Mountain West Conference with its first-ever two-time outright league champions. The last time a BYU team garnered back-to-back outright league crowns was in 1979 and 1980.
"I find it a privilege to be a coach at BYU, and find it a privilege to come to work every day," Rose said. "It is an honor to associate with our teams. It makes me want to become a better person"
Robert and Diana Williams were named Volunteers of the Year for their work within the BYU athletic department. The Williams currently serve as supervisors of volunteer hosts and tour coordinators at Legacy Hall in the Student Athletic Building.
Below is a description of each award and its winner(s).
Female Rookie of the Year
This award is given to the freshman student athlete who contributes the most in his or her freshman or redshirt freshman of the year.
Kassidy Christensen -- Soccer
- Named to the 2007 NSCAA/Adidas NCAA Women's Division I All-West Region Third Team.
- Earned a Soccer Buzz 2007 Freshman All-America Fourth Team nomination, named to West Region All-Regionals All-Freshman Team and received First Team All-MWC honors and named MWC Player of the Week on Oct. 29, 2007.
- Ranked second in team in goals (7), points (16), and shots (48) as a true freshman with four of her seven goals as game-winners.
Male Rookie of the Year
This award is given to the freshman student athlete who contributes the most in his or her freshman or redshirt freshman of the year.
Harvey Unga--Football
- Set the BYU Freshman rushing record with 1,227 yards.
- Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, averaging 94.4 yards per game and earned Freshman All-American, totaling a team-best 144.8 all-purpose yards per game.
- Led BYU in scoring with 17 touchdowns, including 13 rushing touchdowns.
Ed Stein Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award
The oldest recognition bestowed upon a BYU male athlete; given to the senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship.
Matt Allen--Football
- A Mountain West Conference All-Academic selection who totaled 31 receptions on the season for 358 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Cougars to an 11-2 season.
- A model of service to his team and community, serving as a member of the team's leadership council, a team captain, chairman of the team's fireside committee, a member of his ward's bishopric and worked with various community organizations including, Habitat for Humanity, Food Bank and the Boys and Girls Club.
- Graduated with a degree in exercise science.
Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior Female Athlete Award
The oldest recognition bestowed upon a BYU female athlete; this award is annually given to the senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship.
Chelsea Goodman--Volleyball
- Named to the AVCA All-America Third Team. She is the first women's volleyball Cougar named to an All-America Team since Nina Puikkonen earned first-team honors in 2000.
- Finished her BYU career seventh all-time in career kills (1,493), fifth in career kills per game (3.92) and sixth in career digs (1,100).
- Two-year team co-captain set the MWC career double-double record with 57, including 23 as a senior while posting double-digit kills in every match she played in.
Walk-On of the Year
This award is given to one non-scholarship athlete at BYU who plays a significant role on his or her team.
Annie Pinegar--Women's Volleyball
- Set the BYU record for digs in a season with 481 as a senior.
- Team co-captain finished her BYU career eighth all-time in career digs with 1,033.
- Her 32 digs against UNLV as a senior are tied for fourth all-time in program history and came one year after she set the BYU record with 42 digs against UC Santa Barbara in the NCAA Tournament.
Cougar Club Memorial Junior Award
Established in memory of eight Cougar Club members who lost their lives in an airplane crash at the Point of the Mountain in November of 1965; given to an outstanding junior male or female athlete with high scholarly achievement.
Whitney Neves--Men's Track and Field
- Neves finished fourth at the 2007 MWC Outdoor Championships.
- Named to the All-MWC Indoor Team and competed in the pole vault at the 2008 NCAA Indoor National Championships and tied for 16th place.
- Grabbed third place in pole vault at the MWC Indoor Championships when he cleared a season-high 17 feet 7.25 inches.
Crowd Pleaser -- Male
Presented to the male athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.
Jonathan Tavernari--Basketball
- Sophomore forward scored quickly and from about anywhere on the floor while setting the BYU and sophomore MWC records for three-pointers in a season with 88.
- Tallied a career-high 29 points, including five three-pointers, in BYU's 78-76 win against No. 6 Louisville, marking the highest-ranked team the Cougars have defeated in more than 40 years.
- The 2006-07 MWC Freshman of the Year doubled his scoring average this season and topped the 20-point mark five times to earn All-MWC Third Team honors and help BYU win the outright conference regular-season championship for the second straight season.
Crowd Pleaser -- Female
Presented to the female athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.
Katie Fellows--Soccer
- Played in 22 games and started 18 in 2007 season.
- Ranked third on the team in scoring with four goals, including one game-winner and one assist. Ranked second on the team with 48 shots, putting 19 on goal.
- Named MWC Championship Tournament MVP for her two-goal performance in the championship game against UNLV at BYU's South Stadium.
Floyd Johnson Service Award
Given to male or female athletes who make a positive impact in the community and among their teammates.
Jessica Bingham--Cheer
Bingham is an executive member of the Cougar Council and academic scholar. She coordinated the 2008 Blood Drive at BYU. As a result of her efforts BYU bested every other Mountain West Conference school by more than double, collecting 120 units. Recently this head cheerleader spoke at a five-stake fireside as a representative of BYU.
Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport Award
Presented in memory of Dr. Leona B. Holbrook; this award is given to the female athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life.
Dayna Smart-Allen--Gymnastics
- Tied the second-highest floor mark in school history with her 9.975 score and tied the eighth-best beam score in Cougar history with her 9.950 mark.
- In 2007, claimed 23 individual titles and five all-around titles. Led the Cougar team on the beam in every meet but one in 2007, topping the 9.800 mark on beam in every meet but two.
- The first-year graduated student in exercise science ranked as high as No. 14 on vault during the 2007-08 season.
Comeback Player of the Year
Presented to the BYU student athlete who has returned to excel at his or her sport after overcoming a serious injury or other difficult circumstances.
Natalia Jimenez--Women's Golf
- Broken neck in car accident May 2007 NCAA Regionals.
- Played Militar Tournament in August 2007 and won.
- Leads Cougars in Fall 2007 Scoring Averages and helped lead BYU to a 2007 No. 13 national ranking.
Dale McCann Spirit of Sport Award
Presented in memory of Dale R. McCann; this award is given to the senior male athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life.
Bryan Kehl--Football
- Served as a team captain who ranked second on the BYU roster with 91 tackles on the season, including a team-best 52 solo tackles.
- Earned First-Team All-MWC honors. Named the MWC Defensive Player of the week after helping BYU to a 31-24 win over New Mexico. Credited with 10 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception for a 36-yard touchdown.
- A two-time Academic All-Mountain West performer, majoring in economics.
Play of the Year
In athletic competition, there are moments where incredible performances engrave themselves into our memory. This category honors some of the truly extraordinary plays made this year.
Football
The 2007 BYU Football Team finished with an 11-2 record, went undefeated at home and in conference play, won the Mountain West Conference Championship for the second year in a row, beat Utah in magnificent fashion and secured a bowl game victory with a 17-16 win over UCLA in the Pioneer Pure Vision Las Vegas Bowl.
Female Athlete of the Year
Given to the female athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication and determination, leading her to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both teammates and fans.
Katie Larkin--Soccer
- Finished the season ranked 28th nationally in goals per game (.652), and 33rd in points per game (1.52).
- 2007 NSCAA/Adidas NCAA Women's Division I All-America Third Team, Soccer Buzz 2007 All-America Third Team, All-West Region First Team, and the West Region All Regional First Team.
- Started in all 23 games and led the team in goals scored for the second year in a row with 15, also led the team in assists (5), shots (72), and shots on goal (42).
Male Athlete of the Year
Given to the male athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication and determination, leading him to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both teammates and fans.
Niklas Arrhenius--Track and Field
- Claimed the national title in the discus with a throw of 206 feet 2 inches at the 2007 NCAA Outdoor National Championships.
- He currently holds the 15th-best throw in the world with a discus toss of 215 feet 7 inches.
- Competed at the World Championships in 2007.
Kimball Memorial Award
Established to honor Eddie and Rod Kimball and their brother, Vaughn, who was killed in World War II; given to an outstanding male or female athlete who letters at least twice and who has the highest scholarly achievement of those who qualify.
Hayley Jensen--Gymnastics
- Maintained a 3.99 GPA while being a valuable contributor to the BYU Gymnastics team.
- A two-time NCAA Academic All-American.
- Only the second BYU athlete ever to receive the Kimball Memorial Award twice.
- Competed in NCAA Regionals on vault as both a freshman and sophomore
- Recorded career-best scores on vault (9.800), beam (9.825) and floor (9.850), and claimed three individual event titles during the 2008 regular season.
Volunteers of the Year
Given in recognition of volunteers who selflessly serve the BYU Athletic Department without thought of recognition or reward.
Robert and Diana Williams
The Williams currently serve as supervisors of volunteer hosts and tour coordinators at Legacy Hall in the Student Athletic Building. In addition to their responsibilities at Legacy Hall, the Williams host at football, volleyball, women's soccer and occasionally baseball games. Robert also volunteers his time working security for football during spring practices.
Assistant Coach of the Year
This award is annually given to an outstanding BYU assistant coach.
Patrick Fisher--Men's Tennis
Men's tennis assistant coach Patrick Fisher is only in his first year with BYU, but has already made a significant impact in the tennis program. During the fall season, Fisher assisted head coach Brad Pearce as Cassidy Mears and Jonathan Sanchez won the doubles titles at both the Utah Fall Tennis Classic and the University of Utah Invitational. He has also helped coach the Cougars to a 7-1 home record this spring. Up to this point in his coaching career, Fisher has coached 10 all-conference performers. He served on the East Regional NCAA Division I Selection Committee during 2004-06 and the Patriot League Protest Committee during 2005-06. Fisher is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association as a certified tennis professional.
Coach of the Year
This award is annually given to an outstanding BYU head coach.
Gordon Eakin--Softball
Last season Gordon Eakin led the Cougars to a Mountain West Conference win with a 43-22 record and to BYU's furthest post-season appearance ever, which was the third consecutive berth to the NCAA Regionals. He currently claims the all-time wins record at BYU, tallying more than 200 victories in his career. Last season, the softball team broke the season home run record and ranked 11th in the nation in team hitting. He also guided the MWC Player of the Year and two All-Americans during the 2007 season. Coach Eakin is a member of the Utah Professional Baseball Players Association and currently works as part of the USA Softball national team as a selection camp coach.
Teams of the Year
Given annually to the outstanding men's and women's team of the year.
Football
The 2007 BYU Football Team finished with an 11-2 record, went undefeated at home and in conference play, won the Mountain West Conference Championship for the second year in a row, beat Utah in magnificent fashion and secured a bowl game victory with a 17-16 win over UCLA in the Pioneer Pure Vision Las Vegas Bowl. It is the first time since the 1983 and 1984 seasons that the team has won back-to-back bowl games in consecutive years. The Cougars finished the 2007 season on a 10-game winning streak, marking the longest active winning streak in the country, while finishing the season ranked No. 15 in the national polls.
Women's Volleyball
The BYU women's volleyball team had another spectacular year in 2007 with a 24-8 overall record and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1998 with wins over No. 6 Washington and No. 16 Middle Tennessee State before falling to eventual-national champion Penn State. BYU finished the season ranked 12th in the nation behind the play of All-Americans Chelsea Goodman and Rachel Dyer.
Dale Rex Memorial Award
Given annually to the individual thought by the Cougar Club to have contributed most to amateur athletics in the state of Utah.
Dave Rose--Men's Basketball
- Top winning percentage of any BYU men's basketball coach (minimum of 30 games coached)--.735 (72-26 record)
- Top conference winning percentage among the 26 coaches who have ever coached in the Mountain West Conference--.813 (39-9 league record)
- First back-to-back Top 25 seasons for BYU since 1981 and 1982 with national rankings in 2007 and 2008.
- First MWC team to achieve two outright conference championships--2007 and 2008
- First BYU men's basketball coach to win back-to-back outright league crowns since 1979 and 1980.
- First BYU men's basketball coach to win back-to-back league coach-of-the-year honors--2006 and 2007 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year
- 2006 District VIII Coach of the Year (USBWA) and National Coach of the Year Honorable Mention (Scout.com)
- 2008 Game Pillar Award for Service (National Association of Basketball Coaches)
- Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation Honorary Chairman
- First coach in the state of Utah to become involved with Coaches vs. Cancer (while coaching at Dixie State College)