WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point football team took a look back at the 2016 season and saluted its seniors and award winners at the Black Knights' annual banquet on Saturday night.
Varsity letters, senior accolades and 11 awards were handed out Saturday evening at Eisenhower Hall. Rich DeMarco served as master of ceremonies while head coach Jeff Monken spoke about the 2016 season and expectations for the upcoming season.
Following the team highlight video, the senior players, managers and student coaches were honored with varsity letters and framed jerseys.
After coach Monken gave comments on each receiving senior it was on to the awards presentations.
Andrew King was the man of the night by earning four awards, including the Thruston Hughes Memorial Award as the team's most valuable player.Â
The Hughes Memorial Award, which is was established in 1939 to honor the team MVP and will be presented officially during the Awards Convocation prior to graduation. King was instrumental in leading the Black Knights to their best season in two decades. King was a great example on and off the field for Army and he finished with a career-high 97 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.Â
King was also honored with The Black Lion Award, which is presented to the football player who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder, an All-America defensive end for Army who was killed in action. Holleder's daughter, Katie Fellows, presented the award.
Andrew King (middle) along with Katie Fellows, daughter of Don Holleder and Head Coach Jeff Monken
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Monken and his staff brought back The Anthony Miller Coaching Staff Award this year, which is awarded to the most inspirational player on the team in the eyes of the coaching staff. The honor went to Brandon Jackson, who passed away in September. Jackson's mother, Morna Davis, along with other family members, was on hand to receive the award.
Jackson was also recognized with a special award from the Army Football Club, which Davis accepted after the Miller Coaching Staff Award.
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Morna Davis, Brandon Jackson's mother, accepted two awards in honor of her son
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Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen was on hand to give out a couple of honors. The first was the Col. Joel B. "Dopey" Stephens Award, which is given to the outstanding football players on the scout team. Matt Sannella earned the honor for scouting for the offense and rookie quarterback Kelvin Hopkins was rewarded for scouting for the defense.
Caslen, a former lineman for the Army football team, presented the Thomas West Hammond Memorial Award as well. The honor is given to the most outstanding lineman for the season and this year's winner was junior defensive lineman John Voit.
Justin Gilbert was honored with the William C. Whitehead Jr. Memorial Award as the graduating senior for his work in the classroom as he had the highest grade point average among his classmates.
King took home the Lt. Gen. Garrison Davidson Award for having the highest military grade and earning distinction in the areas of honor, country, sportsmanship and leadership.
The Army Football Lifter of the Year, which was presented by head football strength and conditioning coach Brian Hess, was awarded to Enegren for his commitment to his personal development on and off the field.
Co-captain Jeremy Timpf was named the Col. James B. Gillespie Memorial Award winner for his outstanding dedication, unfailing performance and contributions to the Army football team. Timpf played all 13 games in his final season with the Black Knights and led the team in tackles from the middle linebacker position.
Timpf and King shared the Creighton W. Abrams Memorial Award as team captains.
Eddy Ruzga was named the 1st Lt. Chase Prasnicki Memorial Award winner. Ruzga was honored for sharing the characteristics of Prasnicki who was killed in action. Prasnicki was always team player, continually putting the needs of the team above his own personal goals and lived the values of loyalty, selfless service and teamwork. He remains a role model for all past, current and future Army football players.
