The leaves on the trees are gone and the weather is getting colder which means one thing in the world of college sports, a new season. But before we move into the winter season we need to look back on the fall season and give kudos to the deserving Buffalo athletes and coaches.
That's where my awards come in, which we will refer to as the "Hardcore" awards. The word Hardcore is a little nickname I received after being overseas for three years and because I can bench 75 pounds. Here is the list of athletes who I feel are "Hardcore."
Coach of the season: This was a tough decision, but head coach Turner Gill of the football team is the winner. The football team has already doubled its win total from last season. Plus Gill's motivation last week at halftime helped the Bulls dominate Kent State by scoring 38 unanswered points. When has that happened in Buffalo? Gill is a former Heisman Trophy winner who with half a season of recruiting last year brought in one of the most dominating freshmen classes yet.
Playmaker of the season: The award goes to freshmen Naaman Roosevelt of the football team. The kid is amazing. Every time he returns a kick it makes me think of Terrence McGee of the Bills practically breaking people's ankles with his cuts and speed. Roosevelt is currently second in the Mid-American Conference in kick returns and is averaging 26.2 every kickoff he runs back. Not to mention he is also a wide receiver who is averaging 12.6 yards per catch. As Stewart Scott of ESPN would say, "he's sick."
Team moment of the season: The award goes to the women's rowing team and their achievement at the Head of the Genesee. The varsity boat which consisted of Sher Briggs, Corinne Blum, Melina DiCosimo, Nicole Cyr, Jessica Hughes, Amanda Mackeigan, Bridget Yannes, Lauren Sexton and Maggie Fairgrieve finished with a time of 31:27.06, which was better than Cornell, Syracuse, and Harvard. These girls were the best American boat on the river that day and only lost to two boats from Canada. Plus, you've got to give credit to any team that wakes up at 6 a.m. everyday and rows in the cold. In Scott's words, "mad props" to you Varsity Rowing.
Best individual performance of the season: The award goes to junior Andreea Novaceanu of the women's tennis team who made it to the quarterfinal of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's regional tournament, which happens to be the biggest college tennis tournament in the country. It is the first time that a Buffalo tennis player ever made it to the quarter-finals and Novaceanu entered the ITA as an unranked seed. The season is only half over for Novaceanu, and she will continue play in the spring. Be ready for more tennis from this awesome athlete. Not to mention her serve is clocked at over 100 miles an hour.
Team of the season: The award goes to the men's soccer team who had five players named to the All-MAC team. The team was led by seniors forward Andrae Clarke and goaltender Daniel Bell. The team fell short in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament to Northern Illinois, but was able to beat the Huskies earlier in the season on Senior Day. The team is lead by head coach John Astudillo, who almost led the Bulls into the NCAA Tournament last season.
Honorable Mention Hardcore Awards:
Soft scheduling of the season: The volleyball team dominated its out-of-conference schedule, yet fell short in conference play.
Best student moment of the season: Running on the field after defeating the worst college football team in the nation: the Temple Owls.
Best club sport of the season: The women's club soccer team, who won their second straight Northeast Regional tournament led by head coach John Loury.
Best hair of the season: Freshmen kicker Taylor Packwood who can barley see out of his helmet.
All I can offer for the honored recipients is a paper plate award, designed and colored by me, the one and only Hardcore.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
