Greg Peach Captures 2008 Buck Buchanan Award
Eastern Washington defensive end Greg Peach was named the 14th winner of the Buck Buchanan Award last night at The Sports Network’s Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet, held at the Chattanooga Marriott on the eve of the NCAA Division I Football Championship title game.
The Buchanan Award, named for the legendary Grambling and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle, is presented annually to the top defensive player in FCS.
“Coming in as a freshman, you see the award and you think about it,” said Peach. “But I never thought I would have won it. To even be a top-16 guy on the Buchanan watch list was unbelievable for me.”
Peach led FCS in sacks (1.64 per game, 18 total for 103 yards in losses) and tackles for loss (2.05 per game, 22.5 total, 133 yards) in 2008, recording six multi-sack games and 72 tackles along the way. The campaign included an eye-opening four-sack effort against perennial FCS stalwart Montana on Oct. 11.
Peach was just one sack away from the Big Sky Conference single-season record, owned by Montana’s Andy Petak with 19, and finished fifth-best in FCS history. He is second in the Big Sky and fourth in FCS for career sacks with 35.5, finishing just three sacks behind Jared Allen of Idaho State, the 2003 Buchanan Award winner and now an NFL standout. Peach also owns school standards for single-season and career sacks, as well as tackles for loss marks for a season and a career.
The 6-2, 250-pound defensive lineman from Vancouver, WA ended his season with a flourish in the Eagles’ 33-26 victory over Big Sky co-champion and No. 8-ranked Weber State — a win that cost the Wildcats a perfect conference record, an outright league title and a probable seed in the NCAA playoffs.
With 1:02 remaining and WSU running back Trevyn Smith heading towards an apparent game-tying touchdown, Peach recovered a fumble on his final college play to seal his team’s victory and give EWU a winning season.
Peach won by the largest margin in Buchanan Award history, earning 39 first-place votes and 313 points to finish 107 points ahead of runner-up Jovan Belcher, a defensive end from Maine. Belcher had 15 first-place votes and 206 points, while Appalachian State safety Mark LeGree placed third with 183 points.
The Buck Buchanan Award was established in 1995 by The Sports Network. Past winners of the honor include current NFL standouts such as Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (2003, Idaho State), Jacksonville Jaguars safety Rashean Mathis (2002, Bethune-Cookman), along with former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker Dexter Coakley (1995-96, Appalachian State).
Source: The Sports Network
Armanti Edwards Wins 2008 Walter Payton Award
Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards was named the 22nd winner of the Walter Payton Award last night at The Sports Network’s Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet, held at the Chattanooga Marriott on the eve of the NCAA Division I Football Championship title game.
The Payton Award, named for the legendary Jackson State and Chicago Bears running back, is presented annually to the top player in FCS.
“It’s a great accomplishment and a great feeling,” Edwards said. “I always congratulate my team, because without them, I wouldn’t (even) be a finalist.”
The 6-foot-tall, 184-pound junior signal-caller rushed for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns, while completing 64% of his passes for 2,902 yards and 30 touchdowns. He ranked second nationally in passing efficiency, seventh in total offense (296 yards per game, 3,843 total yards) and 11th in passing yards.
Edwards, one of the team captains for the Mountaineers, saved his best games for the brightest spotlight. Facing South Carolina State in the first round of this year’s playoffs, Edwards completed 29-of-41 passes for a school-record 433 yards and four touchdowns, breaking predecessor Richie Williams’ mark of 413 in 2004 in a 37-21 win.
In a nationally televised game against Wofford for first place in the Southern Conference earlier in the year, Edwards was 17-of-19 passing for 367 yards and five touchdowns and added 73 yards and one TD rushing on just 11 carries. Edwards played only one series of the fourth quarter in that game, as he led the Mountaineers to a 70-24 victory.
“He’s made a huge difference in our football program from the beginning,” Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore said. “He’s been a great example on the field and in the classroom. Our team really rallies around him.”
Edwards finished first in one of the most lopsided Payton Award races in history with 53 first-place votes and 398 points. James Madison quarterback Rodney Landers was second with 17 first-place votes and 290 points, with Western Illinois running back Herb Donaldson placing third with 209 points.
The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987 by The Sports Network and previous winners of the honor include current NFL players such as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (2002, Eastern Illinois) and Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (2001, Villanova), and former Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair (1994, Alcorn State).
Source: The Sports Network
Learn a Snow Sport Month Debuts in January, 2009 at Resorts in 22 States Nationwide
More Than 200 Ski and Snowboard Resorts Participating
Twenty-two states and more than two hundred ski and snowboard resorts are hosting learning programs during January 2009 — Learn a Snow Sport Month. It’s the first time that this many organizations have collaborated on the initiative. Children and adults who want to learn a snow sport or want to improve their skills are encouraged to take a lesson from a professional ski or snowboard instructor who is trained to teach proper technique. A listing of participating resorts can be found at WinterFeelsGood.com. Offers vary depending on the state and individual resorts. Most learning programs charge a reasonable fee for lessons, lift tickets and/or equipment for alpine ski or snowboard lessons.
Winter Trails, a FREE learn to snowshoe or cross country ski program, is part of Learn a Snow Sport Month. Eighty Nordic Centers, alpine resorts with Nordic trails, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service lands will host Winter Trails events on Saturday, January 10, 2009, while a few venues are hosting the program on alternative dates. Equipment and basic instruction is provided. Visit WinterTrails.org for more information.
Participating in snow sports can contribute to one’s health because they offer opportunities to get outside in winter for exercise, according to SnowSports Industries America (SIA), a national nonprofit trade association for snow sports suppliers. A 110-pound student can burn nearly 300 calories alpine skiing or snowboarding and nearly 400 calories per hour snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Alpine skiing and snowboarding are considered anaerobic activities, while snowshoeing and cross country skiing are aerobic, with an ability to increase heart rates due to vigorous movement.
Source: SnowSports Industries America
Northwestern University’s Eric Peterman Named Winner of 2008 National ARA Sportsmanship Award
Wildcat receiver noted for his gracious style on and off the field
Purple Pride runs deep today with the announcement of Northwestern University’s receiver, Eric Peterman, as recipient of this year’s ARA Sportsmanship Award, presented by the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) http://www.arasportsmanshipaward.com/.
The award was presented by renowned Brigham Young University football coach LaVell Edwards.
“The ARA Sportsmanship Award is the only national award that recognizes an athlete’s character and leadership as it translates to sportsmanship,” said Cathy Garcia, president of the ARA. I am thrilled that this year’s winner continues our tradition of recognizing outstanding young men who exemplify the best in sports and life.”
“Our blue ribbon panel sifted through no shortage of stand out Bowl Division players this year,” said Coach Edwards, “but Peterman rose to the top with his honest, understated approach on and off the field. He’s an all- around class act. We’re all deeply honored to name him the 2008 recipient of the ARA Sportsmanship Award.
“We look for players that have integrity in their game and in their lives and there’s no finer example than Eric,” added Edwards.
A smart, versatile, standout receiver and significant contributor, Peterman has won athletic accolades and praises and, has earned impressive stats. The Wildcat owns a 12.6 yards per reception career average and began his final year ranked 16th on NU’s all-time receiving yardage list with 1,274 yards.
Off of the field, he has made, and continues to make, an impact. He serves on the Northwestern Football Leadership Council and Student Athlete Advisory Council Committee; volunteers with community service events and departmental peer mentor programs; and is one of four representatives of the educational APPLE/athletic prevention program for improving substance abuse. He’s actively involved with the McCormick Student Advisory Board, as part of the School of Engineering, where he has a 3.229 GPA. He also is a member of the peer mentor group for the football team.
The ARA Sportsmanship Award is presented to the NCAA Bowl Division collegiate football player who most exemplifies sportsmanship on and off the field. Peterman, 22, was selected from 10 finalists representing schools across the country.
Previous winners are former Washington State quarterback Alex Brink (2007), St. Louis Rams running back Brian Leonard (2006) and Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (2005).
To qualify, athletes must be a senior starting player or significant team contributor who has demonstrated respect for competitors, school, teammates, coaches and the community.
The Awards and Recognition Association is the official sponsor of the ARA Sportsmanship Award. ARA is a membership organization of 4,000 companies dedicated to increasing the professionalism of recognition specialists and advancing the awards and engraving industry. The ARA is headquartered in Glenview, Ill. For more information about the award, visit http://www.arasportsmanshipaward.com/. For more information about ARA, visit http://www.ara.org/.
Detroit Native and NBA All-Star Returns to Eastern Michigan University
EMU to present NBA great George Gervin with honorary bachelor’s degree
The Iceman is back! George Gervin, NBA Hall of Famer and former Eastern Michigan University basketball star, will receive an honorary bachelor’s degree Saturday, Dec. 20, during halftime of the EMU Men’s Basketball game at 4 p.m. at the Convocation Center against St. Bonaventure University.
The event is part of an afternoon of basketball action as the EMU women’s team will also take on the University of Detroit at 2 p.m. Only one ticket is needed for admission to both games.
“We are very excited to welcome George Gervin back to EMU,” said Dr. Derrick Gragg, EMU’s Director of Athletics. “It is our pleasure to honor him with an honorary Bachelor’s degree. His story is a great example of how a person can see the world and have a positive influence on so many lives on so many levels.”
Gervin is a nine-time NBA All-Star known for his scoring abilities. He is remembered by his signature finger-roll and making most of his shots seem easy. Gervin averaged 29.5 points as a sophomore at EMU and at least 21 points in 12 professional seasons making more than half of his NBA field goal attempts.
Gervin is scheduled to speak with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams during his visit to EMU. Additionally, EMU will be giving away autographed George Gervin posters to the first 1,500 people to enter the Convocation Center.
“Many of our players are knowledgeable about him as one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of all-time,” said Gragg.
Tickets for EMU men’s basketball games are $9 for adults and $7 for youth. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at the group rate of $3. Tickets can be purchased by calling 734.487.2282 or visiting www.emueagles.com .
Source: Eastern Michigan University