Issued: December 17, 2002

FOOTBALL AWARDS ANNOUNCED AT ANNUAL BANQUET

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire football team announced its award and letter winners for the 2002 season Saturday night at its annual end-of-the-season banquet.

The Blugolds finished the season with an 8-2 overall record and a 5-2 record in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play and finished second in the WIAC. Eau Claire's two losses came to UW-Stout and UW-La Crosse. The season was highlighted by an opening day victory over St. John's, the top ranked team in Division III football according to Street and Smith magazine and Sports Illustrated.

The offensive Most Valuable Player award was given to Jason Foemmel (Sr-Marshfield). Foemmel caught a team-high 54 passes for 696 yards in 10 games in the 2002 season. He also scored two touchdowns on the season including a 71-yard touchdown reception. Brad Gawronski (Sr-Reedsburb/Weeb) took home the defensive Most Valuable Player award for the 2002 season. Gawronski led the strong Blugold defense with 67 tackles on the season, including 51 solo tackles. He also made seven tackles for a loss while grabbing an interception, blocking a kick, and forcing a fumble. Gawronski also totaled one sack and one fumble recovery for the season. The special teams Most Valuable Player was given to Mike Eubanks (Sr-Cedarburg). Eubanks also received the A.C.E. Award which is given to an athlete that exemplifies a great attitude, great character, and relentless enthusiasm all the time while making sacrifices for the team.

Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors went to Matt Evenson (Fr-Junction City/Auburndale). Evenson averaged 13.6 yards per catch on 21 receptions and two touchdowns during the 2002 campaign. Derek Sikora (Fr-Neillsville) received defensive Newcomer of the Year as he finished second on the team with 66 tackles including four for a loss. Sikora also deflected six pass attempts while forcing three fumbles. Andy Schneider (Fr-Green Bay/Ashwaubenon) received special team Newcomer of the Year honors in his first year as a kicker for the Blugolds.

This year's Kodak Players of the Year were given to Dan Karcz (Fr-Pulaski) for his efforts on offense, Zach Paul (Fr-Edgar) on defense, and Dan Monfre (Fr-New Berlin/Eisenhower) for his special teams play.

Position players of the year were also announced at the banquet on Saturday evening. Mike Bestul (Sr-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi) was awarded Offensive Lineman Player of the Year honors while the Defensive Lineman Player of the Year was split between Dan Larson (Sr-Baldwin-Baldwin-Woodville) and Nick Goeser (Sr-Scandinavia/Lola-Scandinavia). Brad Newton (Sr-Baldwin/Baldwin-Woodville) received the award for Tight End/Fullback Player of the Year while Nels Fredrickson (So-Burnsville, MN) won Quarterback/Tailback Player of the Year despite missing three games during the 2002 season. Jason Foemmel added the Wide Receiver Player of the Year award to go along with his offensive Most Valuable Player award. Austin Crow (Jr-Woodbury, MN) received Outside Linebacker Player of the Year honors while Brad Gawronski took home the award for Inside Linebacker Player of the Year. Justin Miller (Sr-Woodbury, MN) won Defensive Back Player of the Year honors and kicker Nick Diciaula (Jr-Brookfield/Central) won Specialist of the Year for the Blugolds.