Army Celebrates 2017 Season; Honors Seniors

Army Celebrates 2017 Season; Honors Seniors

January 20, 2018 | Football

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point football team remembered its 2017 season and saluted its seniors and award winners at the Black Knights' annual banquet on Saturday night in Eisenhower Hall.

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 2017 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.

Ahmad Bradshaw was awarded with the prestigious Hughes Memorial Award. The honor, which was established in 1939 to honor the team MVP and will be presented officially during the Awards Convocation prior to graduation. Bradshaw was instrumental in capturing the Commander in Chief's Trophy for the first time in over two decades. He ran for an Academy single-season record 1,746 yards and 12 touchdowns.

One of the most rewarding honors is 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. The award went to John Voit.

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. This year, the staff honored two seniors with the award. Jeff Ejekam was given the honor by the offensive coordinator Brent Davis, while defensive coordinator Jay Bateman handed the coaches award on the defensive side to Rhyan England. Ejekam was key for the Army offense both through the air and on the ground. England was another coach in the secondary for the Black Knights and one of the team's most intelligent players.

Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen was on hand to give out a couple of honors once again. The first was the Col. Joel B. "Dopey" Stephens Award, which is given to the outstanding football players on the scout team. Joe Ryan earned the honor for scouting for the offense and Zack Boobas 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 Brett Toth.

Toth was also 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. The lineman was not able to be in attendance after participating in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday afternoon.

Joshua Boylan 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 Scott Washle for his commitment to his personal development on and off the field.

Boylan took home his second award of the night after being named the Col. James B. Gillespie Memorial Award winner for his outstanding dedication, unfailing performance and contributions to the Army football team. Boylan played all 13 games for the Black Knights and was one of the leaders on the offensive line.

Bradshaw and Voit shared the Creighton W. Abrams Memorial Award as team captains.

Washle earned his second award of the night as the winner of the 1st Lt. Chase Prasnicki Memorial Award winner. Washle 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.

Varsity letters were also presented to: Jermaine Adams, Jordan Asberry, Alex Aukerman, Clay Barton, Gavin Bassett, Javhari Bourdeau, Joshua Boylan, Ahmad Bradshaw, Kenneth Brinson , Cole Christiansen, Kjetil Cline, Glen Coates, Fred Cooper Jr., Andy Davidson, Jaxson Deaton, Jeff Ejekam, Jake Ellington, Rhyan England, Scott Flanick, Donovan Franklin, James "Gibby" Gibson, Cam Harrison, Christian Hayes, Artice Hobbs IV, Bryce Holland, Calen Holt, Kelvin Hopkins Jr., Mike Houghton, Brandon Jackson, Aaron Jones, Cameron Jones, Jarrod Jones , Rick Kurz , Luke Langdon, Tyler L'Hommedieu, Donavan Lynch, Jaylon McClinton, Andrew McLean, James Nachtigal, Kyle O'Connor, Wunmi Oyetuga , Quinten Parker, Ryan Parker, Zach Potter, Chandler Ramirez , Peyton Reeder, Max Regan, Mike Reynolds, Elijah Riley, Matt Sannella, Zack Saum , Nick Schrage, Austin Schuffert, Jalen Sharp, Jack Sides, Connor Slomka, Rod Stoddard II, Justin Thomas Jr., Brett Toth , John Trainor, Joe Tustin, John Voit, Kell Walker, Scott Washle, Blake Wilson, Bayle Wolf, Darnell Woolfolk, Raymond Wright