May 12, 2003
Walnut Creek, CA - The Saint Mary's College Department of Athletics and Recreational Sports hosted the 4th Annual Gael Awards Dinner on Friday, May 9 at the Walnut Creek Marriott Hotel. Dick Callahan, SMC's men's basketball public address announcer for over 25 years, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Among those honored included some 60 senior student-athletes from 15 sports who have completed their athletic eligibility. Head coaches from each respective sport were introduced to recognize the seniors and discuss the impacts they've had on the program.
The first awards given out were to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, representing the top 10 cumulative grade point averages of all student-athletes who have completed as least two semesters of course work. Senior football player Nathan Frowsing topped the list with a 3.97 GPA. He was joined by Celeb Sanford (men's tennis, 3.932 GPA), Courtney Nelson (lacrosse, 3.926 GPA), Lindsay Lopez (women's basketball, 3.86 GPA), Kristen Hurst (rowing and women's cross country, 3.84 GPA), Thomas Burgemeister (men's tennis, 3.83 GPA), Jennifer Belzer (women's soccer, 3.81 GPA), Laura Hautala (women's cross country, 3.79 GPA), Strada Morris (women's cross country, 3.77 GPA), and Tonja Cabatana (women's soccer, 3.75 GPA).
Michael Wayman, head men's tennis coach, accepted the Top Team GPA Award on behalf of the team. Currently, his team carries a 3.43 cumulative grade point average.
The George R. McKeon Senior Awards were presented to football player Nathan Frowsing ('03) and women's tennis player Catalina Fillol ('03). This award, which recognizes athletic, academic, and extracurricular accomplishments, is the highest award presented to a Saint Mary's student-athlete. Frowsing is a four-year letter winner and three year starter on the offensive line and earned the top GPA for the second consecutive year. He was named First Team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association and Second Team Verizon Academic All-America this year. The Politics major also founded Athletes in Action and mentors 6-12 grade students in Oakland.
Fillol is a four-year letter winner and plays #2 or #3 singles and #1 or #2 doubles for the tennis team. She's a two-year team captain and has earned a spot on the Dean's list three times. She is the current chair of both the Saint Mary's and West Coast Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committees and volunteers at a local church on Sunday's.
The Newcomer of the Year Awards were presented to freshman women's tennis player Kate Harden ('06) and freshman men's basketball player Daniel Kickert ('06). Harden was 10-9 in both singles and doubles play this year and was voted team MVP. The Australian native Kickert averaged 12.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 30 starts. He led the team in scoring and was the WCC leading scorer for true freshmen. He is only one of three players from mid-major programs to be named to the CollegeInsider.com All Freshman Team.
The Gael Spirit Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of a Saint Mary's employee, was awarded to Steve Jacoby, Assistant Director of Athletics for Operations. A mainstay at Saint Mary's since his arrival as a member of the football team in 1982, Jacoby has served the student-athletes in a variety of ways, as an assistant football coach, equipment manager, resident director, and now as Assistant Athletic Director. He's known for always having an open door for students and staff, and for going the extra mile to get things done.
The Mike Gibbons Memorial Volunteer Award was presented to Mike Samuels. Samuels was a full-time volunteer in the Sports Information Office this past year where he worked on the web site, designed media guides and promotional materials, and served as a liaison with the media and other institutions for several sports.
Head men's basketball coach Randy Bennett was presented with the Brother Agnon Coach of the Year Award. In his second year he led the team to a 15-15 record, including a 2-1 record in the WCC Tournament. His team led the conference in scoring defense for the second consecutive year and has the basketball program headed to the top of the WCC.
