Jan. 23, 2009
ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The annual Naval Academy football banquet was held Friday evening at Alumni Hall where several prestigious awards were handed out. The 2008 season was one to remember for the Midshipmen as Navy posted an 8-5 record, won a school-record sixth-consecutive Commander-In-Chief's Trophy, appeared in a school-record sixth-straight bowl game, became the first team in NCAA history to lead the nation in rushing four-consecutive years, led the nation in graduation rates for a fourth-straight year and ran the winning streak over the other two Service Academies to an unprecedented 13-consecutive games. The senior class finished its career with 33 wins, which is the fifth-most in school history.
Senior slot back Shun White (Memphis, Tenn.) won the E.E. "Rip" Miller Award, which is presented to the season's most valuable player as voted on by his teammates. White rushed for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns on the season, becoming the first slot back in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and the first Navy player to rush for more than 1,000 yards since Kyle Eckel in 2004. His 1,092 rushing yards are the 10th-most in school history for a single-season. White averaged 8.27 yards per carry on the year, which was the second-best yards per carry average in the country, while his 348-yards rushing against Towson ranked as the best rushing performance in school history and was the 17th-best rushing day in NCAA history. His 87-yard touchdown run against Towson was the fourth-longest touchdown run in school history.
White also earned the Joe Bellino Award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who is the leading ground gainer over his playing career and the Napoleon McCallum Award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has gained the most all-purpose yards in his career. White finished his Navy career with 2,311 rushing yards, the sixth-most in school history, and averaged a school record 8.9 yards per carry. He had 2,745 career all-purpose yards, with 1,292 of those yards coming this season.
Senior wide receiver Tyree Barnes (Hampton, Va.) was named the winner of the Roger Staubach Award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has contributed the most to the team's success over his playing career. Barnes will go down as one of the most spectacular, and unselfish, wide receivers in school history. Playing in an option-based offense, Barnes still managed 42 career catches for 827 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged an incredible 19.7 yards per catch in his career, which ranks as the third-best average in school history. When not catching passes, Barnes was one of Navy's top blockers on the perimeter and was a big part of Navy's four-consecutive rushing titles.
The First Lieutenant Ron Winchester Unsung Hero Award, which is presented to an unheralded senior recognized as an over achiever and role model as selected by a vote of his teammates, was presented to quarterback Jarod Bryant (Hoover, Ala.). Bryant, who was voted team captain by his teammates, played in all 13 games at either quarterback or as the holder on field goals and extra-points. He started six games at quarterback, including the pivotal win at Air Force, rushing for 481 yards and six touchdowns and throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant also did a sensational job of holding for kicker Matt Harmon (Sr./Greenville, N.C.), saving Navy countless key points with his flawless handling of low snaps.
Senior offensive guard Anthony Gaskins (West Orange, N.J.) was awarded the George Fritzinger Memorial Award, presented annually to a member of the graduating class who as a football interior lineman has excelled as a student-athlete and has contributed to the overall team leadership and spirit. Gaskins started 26-consecutive games for the Mids as guard and played in 39-straight contests. Gaskins was the anchor on an offensive line that has won four-consecutive NCAA rushing titles and was called by Niumatalolo the best offensive lineman Navy has had by far in his 12 years at the Naval Academy.
Senior cornerback Rashawn King (Raleigh, N.C.) took home the Jeffrey R. Korn Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award, established by Jeff's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald D. Korn, in memory of their son, a member of the Class of 1983. The award is given annually to the First Classman on the team who has demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and on the football field. King started 12 games for the Midshipmen this year and finished with 48 tackles, a team-high three interceptions and returned a fumble 50-yards for a touchdown in the EagleBank Bowl against Wake Forest. Over his career, King played in 40 games, recorded 160 career tackles, picked off four passes and recorded two fumble recoveries. King, who carries a 3.1 GPA, is currently the Chief of Staff for the Brigade of Midshipmen, which is the third-highest ranking Midshipmen in the chain-of-command.
Senior offensive tackle Mike Von Bargen (Middletown, Ohio) was the recipient of the Cmdr. Ralph Sentmann Award, which honors the member of the graduating class from the varsity football team who has achieved the greatest increase in class standing from Plebe year until First Class year. Von Bargen played in all 13 games during the 2008 campaign, earning two starts. He played in 26 games in his career. Academically, he raised his class standing an incredible 339 places from his freshman year.
Freshman quarterback Mike Stukel (Fleming Island, Fla.) was awarded the Collins/Roos Class of 1949 Junior Varsity MVP Award, presented annually to the most valuable player on the junior varsity football team as chosen by a vote of his teammates. Stukel was the leading rusher for the JV team last fall and is one of the top candidates for the back-up quarterback job heading into spring practice.
Also recognized on Friday night were Blake Carter (Jr./Stillwater, Okla.), who was named the Ben Martin Navy-Air Force Most Valuable Player Award for his 25-yard return of a Greg Shinego (Sr./Port St. Lucie, Fla.) blocked punt in the first quarter and for his third-quarter blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown by Bobby Doyle (Jr./Chardon, Ohio) in Navy's 33-27 victory over Air Force; Shun White, who was named the Philadelphia Sportswriters Army-Navy Game Most Valuable Player, for his 148-yard, 13-carry, two touchdown performance in Navy's 34-0 rout of the Black Knights; and Jabaree Tuani (Fr./Madison, Tenn.), who was named the ECAC Freshman of the Year, for his 42 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles in his rookie campaign.
