University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Conference USA Sportsmanship Awards Announced
9/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Sept. 3, 2009
IRVING, Texas - Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky today announced the four student-athletes who were selected as recipients of the 2009 C-USA Sportsmanship Award. The Conference USA Sportsmanship awards are presented to student-athletes, coaches or teams that perform an individual act of sporting behavior and generally conduct themselves with a high degree of good sportsmanship.
The individuals recognized for the 2008-09 season include Southern Miss thrower Aaron Ammons, Tulane football player Andre Anderson, East Carolina golfer Abby Bools and UCF baseball player Brennan Dobbins.
"These student-athletes are a great representation of the outstanding displays of sportsmanship we see throughout our conference on a regular basis," Banowsky said. "We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and the example they set for both their teammates and opponents."
Ammons won the shot put at the 2009 C-USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship after finishing third at the Indoor Championships. He also earned Top 10 finishes in the discus and weight throw, but his sportsmanship honor was earned a few weeks prior to his winning performance. On April 25, he recorded a throw of 17.34m, well over the mark to qualify for NCAA Regionals. However, after the meet he had the shot weighed to make sure it was legal. When he discovered it was light, he called over head coach Kevin Stephen to forfeit the mark he achieved.
"While in our program, Aaron consistently displayed tremendous character and leadership," Stephen said. "I am so proud that Conference USA has awarded him for his great sportsmanship. This is a testament to the kind of man he is and the character of my student-athletes."
In his first season as a full-time starter, Anderson emerged as one of the top running backs in the nation last year. He was on his way to a 1,000-yard season and ranked fourth nationally among running backs in rushing and all-purpose yards, when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. While completing his rehab over the final five games of the season, Anderson took on the role of mentor and student assistant to aid the development of the Green Wave's first-year players.
Bools just concluded her second season with the East Carolina women's golf team, leading the Pirates to a berth to NCAA Regionals. She also earned back-to-back All-Conference USA first-team selections. During the 2009 C-USA Women's Golf Championship, Bools voluntarily disqualified herself when she realized she signed for a lower score on her scorecard than what she actually shot. The result moved her team from second to third place in the final standings.
Dobbins has been described as "the quintessential teammate, always the first to practice and last to leave." When not pitching, he established himself as one of the most vocal leaders on the bench, encouraging his fellow Knights with positive reinforcement. A standout high school player, Dobbins role at UCF adjusted slightly following a coaching change. He not only worked to prepare himself, but helped his teammates as well. He has excelled in the classroom and has participated in numerous community service events, even served as vice president of the UCF Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
