Hurricanes Honored at Annual Football Banquet

Dec. 12, 2010

Coral Gables, Fla.–The University of Miami football team announced its award winners Sunday night at the annual Miami Football awards banquet at the Newman Alumni Center. Among the honors handed out were Team MVP, shared by wide receiver Leonard Hankerson and linebacker Sean Spence. Newcomer of the Year went to offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson and Special Teams Player of the Year went to punter/place-kicker Matt Bosher.

The Scout Team Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards went to four student-athletes. Running back Storm Johnson and lineman Cory White garnered the award on offense, while defensive back Nate Gholston and linebacker Sean Goldstein earned defensive accolades.

Senior fullback Pat Hill hauled away three pieces of hardware, earning the Mariutto Family Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence, the Training Room Comeback Player of the Year and the Melching Leadership Award, as voted on by his peers. Senior linebacker Colin McCarthy earned the distinction as the Plumer Award honoree for Leadership, Motivation and Spirit as voted on by the team. In addition, McCarthy was the winner of the Hard Hitter Award. Seniors Ryan Hill and Orlando Franklin earned the U Miami Sports Hall of Fame Unsung Hero Award.

Senior tight end Richard Gordon and sophomore defensive back Vaughn Telemanque shared the Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player Award. Junior Chris Ivory was named the Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-on Award.

Brandon Harris was the recipient of the Walt Kichefski Hurricane Award for commitment, consistency and work ethic. Harris also shared the Community Service Man of the Year Award with quarterback Jacory Harris. For his prowess in the weight room, Allen Bailey earned honors as the Strength Training Athlete of the Year.

The URespect Award for Sportsmanship went to senior defensive lineman Josh Holmes. The Hurricane media members named Damien Berry the “Good Guy” Award winner.

Although the awards were handed out tonight, the Hurricanes have one more game on the schedule. Miami began practice on Saturday in preparation for the 2010 Hyundai Sun Bowl. The `Canes will face Notre Dame in the nation’s second-oldest bowl on Friday, December 31, in El Paso, Texas.

2010 Miami Football Award Winners
Jack Harding (MVP): Leonard Hankerson, Sean Spence
Newcomer of the Year: Seantrel Henderson
Special Teams Player of the Year: Matt Bosher
Scout Team Player of the Year-Offense: Storm Johnson, Cory White
Scout Team Player of the Year-Defense: Nate Gholston, Sean Goldstein
Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-on Award: Chris Ivory
Strength Training Athlete of the Year: Allen Bailey
Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player: Richard Gordon, Vaughan Telemaque
U Miami Sports Hall of Fame Unsung Hero Award: Ryan Hill, Orlando Franklin
URespect Award “Sportsmanship”: Josh Holmes
Training Room Comeback Player of the Year: Patrick Hill
Hard Hitter Award: Colin McCarthy
Walt Kichefski Hurricane Award–Commitment, Consistency, Work Ethic: Brandon Harris
Mariutto Family Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence: Pat Hill
Community Service Man of the Year Award: Brandon Harris, Jacory Harris
Hurricane Media “Good Guy” Award: Damien Berry

Awards Voted on by the Team
Plumer Award for Leadership, Motivation and Spirit: Colin McCarthy
Melching Leadership Award: Patrick Hill