Frank Gore Wins ACC's Piccolo Award

Dec. 13, 2004

Coral Gables, Fla (www.hurricanesports.com) — – Miami tailback Frank Gore is the recipient of the 2004 Brian Piccolo Award, Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford announced today.

The Piccolo Award has been given annually since 1972 in memory of the late Brian Piccolo to the “most courageous” football player in the ACC. Piccolo was the ACC Athlete of the Year in 1965 and played for the Chicago Bears before his career was cut short when he was stricken with cancer. His courageous fight against that disease was an inspiration to the Bears and the entire football community.

Gore, a 5-10, 220-pound tailback, has battled back from two major knee surgeries to lead the 14th-ranked Hurricanes and rank fourth in the ACC in rushing, with 865 yards and eight touchdowns. Named second team All-ACC this past week, Gore has rushed for over 100 yards in three games this season, including a 195-yard effort in a 31-21 win over Virginia on Nov. 13, and is currently ninth among school career rushing leaders with 1,895 yards.

“This is a very deserving honor,” said Miami head coach Larry Coker. “I believe the choice of Frank Gore is a fantastic one. Frank has overcome a great deal in his life and has been a tremendous asset to our football team. Frank is also scheduled to graduate in May in four years, which he is very proud of.”

The Coral Gables, Fla., junior, suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his left knee against West Virginia on October 2, 2003, and missed the final eight games of the season. Gore sustained his first ACL tear, to his right knee, in March of 2002. He underwent surgery to reconstruct the ligaments in his knee and was placed in a cast for several days before beginning a rehabilitation routine.