badger
11/16/2007, 02:33 PM
I'm sick of all the Zona/Duck threads, so here's something SOONER:
Gutierrez up for Sportsmanship Award (http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111407aad.html)
Oklahoma running back Jacob Gutierrez is one of 10 finalists for the Awards and Recognition Association's Sportsmanship Award. It is presented annually to one outstanding NCAA Division I collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship.
Gutierrez, a senior from San Antonio, Texas, has often been recognized for his community service. He won the 2005 Youth Citizen Award from the United Way and Junior League of Norman and in 2006 he was one of five finalists for the national Wooden Citizenship Cup.
Last summer, he attended the NCAA Leadership Conference and subsequently organized a Habitat for Humanity project that involved more than 70 OU football players.
When Oklahoma played in the 2005 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, the team spent Christmas at the team hotel. Gutierrez asked a member of the Holiday Bowl committee to drive him to homeless shelters in the city so he could volunteer his time on the holiday.
The gesture of sportsmanship that was cited in his nomination came from last year's Fiesta Bowl. Gutierrez, when chided by an opposing fan after the game, extended a hand of congratulations and turned a potentially ugly scene into a warmer exchange between the Oklahoma team and spectators.
Former Brigham Young University Head Football Coach LaVell Edwards chairs the committee that selects college athletes who exemplify sportsmanship. Last year's winner, Rutgers University fullback Brian Leonard went on to play for the St. Louis Rams.
The 2007 Sportsmanship Award recipient will be chosen from one of the ten finalists (listed below) and announced this December. Finalists represent a variety of schools of all sizes and locations throughout the United States and award criteria take into consideration the athlete's conduct both on and off the field.
"ARA's Sportsmanship Award is the only national award that recognizes an athlete's character and leadership as it translates to sportsmanship," said Ed Hunt, president of the ARA. "Our panel looks for players that stand out and contribute when playing and in life. It's encouraging to see so many of today's collegiate athletes who consistently conduct themselves in a highly sportsmanlike manner."
ARA Sportsmanship finalists are chosen by a panel that includes retired coaches including Don Nehlen (West Virginia), Dick MacPherson (Syracuse) Vince Dooley (Georgia), Gene Stallings (Alabama), Tubby Raymond (Delaware), Spike Dykes (Texas Tech), Don James (Washington) and Ted Tollner (San Diego State and USC) along with sports and media professionals and representatives from ARA and other organizations.
To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team, be a senior in good academic standing, demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches, show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously, convey a high degree of humility and integrity, and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.
All NCAA Division I schools were eligible to submit nominations for the ARA Sportsmanship Award. The finalists were selected in a blind process. For more information, go to www.arasportsmanshipaward.com.
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.
He is soooo awesome and I hope we blow out Tcek so he gets a chance to run over their defense, too :D
Watch him on kickoffs. He drives a beeline toward the ball every time!
Gutierrez up for Sportsmanship Award (http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111407aad.html)
Oklahoma running back Jacob Gutierrez is one of 10 finalists for the Awards and Recognition Association's Sportsmanship Award. It is presented annually to one outstanding NCAA Division I collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship.
Gutierrez, a senior from San Antonio, Texas, has often been recognized for his community service. He won the 2005 Youth Citizen Award from the United Way and Junior League of Norman and in 2006 he was one of five finalists for the national Wooden Citizenship Cup.
Last summer, he attended the NCAA Leadership Conference and subsequently organized a Habitat for Humanity project that involved more than 70 OU football players.
When Oklahoma played in the 2005 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, the team spent Christmas at the team hotel. Gutierrez asked a member of the Holiday Bowl committee to drive him to homeless shelters in the city so he could volunteer his time on the holiday.
The gesture of sportsmanship that was cited in his nomination came from last year's Fiesta Bowl. Gutierrez, when chided by an opposing fan after the game, extended a hand of congratulations and turned a potentially ugly scene into a warmer exchange between the Oklahoma team and spectators.
Former Brigham Young University Head Football Coach LaVell Edwards chairs the committee that selects college athletes who exemplify sportsmanship. Last year's winner, Rutgers University fullback Brian Leonard went on to play for the St. Louis Rams.
The 2007 Sportsmanship Award recipient will be chosen from one of the ten finalists (listed below) and announced this December. Finalists represent a variety of schools of all sizes and locations throughout the United States and award criteria take into consideration the athlete's conduct both on and off the field.
"ARA's Sportsmanship Award is the only national award that recognizes an athlete's character and leadership as it translates to sportsmanship," said Ed Hunt, president of the ARA. "Our panel looks for players that stand out and contribute when playing and in life. It's encouraging to see so many of today's collegiate athletes who consistently conduct themselves in a highly sportsmanlike manner."
ARA Sportsmanship finalists are chosen by a panel that includes retired coaches including Don Nehlen (West Virginia), Dick MacPherson (Syracuse) Vince Dooley (Georgia), Gene Stallings (Alabama), Tubby Raymond (Delaware), Spike Dykes (Texas Tech), Don James (Washington) and Ted Tollner (San Diego State and USC) along with sports and media professionals and representatives from ARA and other organizations.
To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team, be a senior in good academic standing, demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches, show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously, convey a high degree of humility and integrity, and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.
All NCAA Division I schools were eligible to submit nominations for the ARA Sportsmanship Award. The finalists were selected in a blind process. For more information, go to www.arasportsmanshipaward.com.
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.
He is soooo awesome and I hope we blow out Tcek so he gets a chance to run over their defense, too :D
Watch him on kickoffs. He drives a beeline toward the ball every time!