Tulsa Honors Student Athletes at Golden ‘Cane Awards

The University of Tulsa honored its ultimate student athletes at the 16th Annual awards dinner.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:22 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Honors Student Athletes at Golden ‘Cane Awards

Originally Published: Apr 27, 2011 12:1 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

TULSA, Oklahoma—The University of Tulsa honored it student-athletes and athletic teams Tuesday night at the 16th Annual Golden ‘Cane Awards Dinner.

The Golden Hurricane athletes walked the red carpet to the evenings events that included a musical duet by student-athletes Brett Davis (football) and Sam Masters (track & field), a singing performance by Jessica Fosdyck accompanied by Katie Caves (rowing), as well as awards for seniors, special individual awards, and the Ultimate Team Award.

The top awards were given to TU’s “Ultimate Team” members, while the Wilson Holloway Ultimate Service Award, Outstanding Team Community Service Award, Faculty Member of the Year Award, Dan Bitson Courage Award and Warren Garrison Academic Excellence Awards were also announced.

The “Ultimate Team” honors athletes who, during the current academic year, have exemplified those qualities and characteristics that are consistent with the missions and values of The University of Tulsa such as academic success, campus involvement, community outreach, athletic participation and other areas of student involvement.

The “Ultimate Team” members for the 2010-11 academic year include:
Kelsey Klein -Women’s Track and Field
Sam Masters -Men’s Track and Field
Summer McCall -Spirit Squad
Ashley McInnes -Men’s Soccer
Brandi Neilson -Women’s Soccer
Hannah Stout –Volleyball
Rusty Turpin -Men’s Tennis

J.L. Calderwood was this year’s winner of the Wilson Holloway Ultimate Service Award. Calderwood is the men’s basketball equipment manager and hehas served with the men’s basketball team for the past three years.

The Dan Bitson Courage Award winner is football player Charles Davis. The award was established in 1992 in the name of former TU football standout Dan Bitson (1986-91) who fought back from severe injuries suffered in an automobile accident to play football again. The award is presented annually to the TU student-athlete who exemplifies courage, perseverance and tenacity for overcoming adversity.

After suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2009, what would be his senior season, Davis battled back after surgery and other personal hardships to return for a fifth year. He turned in a superb senior season with 46 tackles and a team-leading 11 pass break-ups as the Golden Hurricane finished the 2010 campaign with a 10-3 record, a Hawaii Bowl Championship and a final national ranking of 24th.

This year’s Outstanding Team Community Service Award was given to the TU Spirit Squad team for their outstanding community service activities throughout the year.. The spirit squad turned in 353 volunteer hours this past year, and volunteered for the Alzheimer’s Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Aim high Academy to name a few.

This year’s Warren Garrison Academic Excellence award winner, with a 3.97 grade point average in finance, is men’s soccer player Zach Nulisch. The award is named in honor of Tulsa’s first athletic academic coordinator and longtime Golden Hurricane Club member Warren Garrison. It goes to the graduating senior who has completed his or her eligibility with the highest cumulative grade point average.

The eighth annual Outstanding Team Community Service Award is given to the team most involved in community service activities throughout the year, and is selected by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

On the faculty side of things, Dr. Richard Burgess received the Faculty Member of the Year honor.

2010-11 Tulsa Athletics Team Awards

Men’s Basketball
Justin Hurtt, Offensive Player of the Year
Joe Richard, Defensive Player of the Year

Women’s Basketball
Taleya Mayberry, Offensive Player of the Year
Jermaine Kermis, Defensive Player of the Year

Men’s Cross Country Justin Duncan, Athlete of the Year

Women’s Cross Country
Paula Whiting, Athlete of the Year

Football
Charles Clay, Offensive Player of the Year
Curnelius Arnick, Defensive Player of the Year
Michael Such, Special Teams Player of the Year

Men’s Golf
Chris Worrell, Golfer of the Year

Women’s Golf
Kristina Merkle, Golfer of the Year

Rowing
Heather Brooks, Co-Rower of the Year
Arielle Tillou, Co-Rower of the Year

Men’s Soccer
Ashley McInnes, Offensive Player of the Year
Jake Dobkins, Defensive Player of the Year

Women’s Soccer
Claire Nicholson, Offensive Player of the Year
Brandi Neilson, Defensive Player of the Year

Softball Caitlin Everett, Offensive Player of the Year
Samantha Cobb, Defensive Player of the Year

Men’s Tennis Japie De Klerk, Player of the Year

Women’s Tennis
Ewa Szatkowska, Player of the Year

Men’s Track
Chris O’Hare, Indoor Athlete of the Year

Women’s Track Paula Whiting, Indoor Athlete of the Year

Volleyball
Tyler Henderson, Offensive Player of the Year
Jessica Adams, Defensive Player of the Year

* The men’s and women’s Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year will be announced after the national meet.