Army Celebrates 2019-20 with Virtual Black Knight Awards
The Army West Point Athletic Association held the 2020 Black Knight Awards ceremony on Monday evening virtually for the first time.
The department's premiere year-end event honored teams and individuals for their successes throughout the 2019-20 season.
In its 13th year of existence, the Black Knight Awards honored the best that Army West Point's 30 athletic teams had to offer in 2019-20 in an award-show format similar to the ESPY Awards.
Votes were tabulated using a combination of the Executive Staff and Black Knight Awards Committee votes.
Director of Athletics Mike Buddie welcomed all for his first Black Knight Awards show.
The show continued with a large group of athletes being recognized as league major award winners, scholar-athletes, All-Americans and NCAA participants.
The Black Knights' academic accomplishments were one of the first honored. Assistant AD for Academic Support Dr. Jon Healy introduced Army's new honor program - Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society for Collegiate Student Athletes. Cadet-athletes with a 3.40 or higher grade-point average and who received a varsity letter as a junior or senior were honored.
Dean of the Academic Board, Brig. Gen. Cindy Jebb then presented the first individual award of the night in the Academic Excellence Award.
Awarded to: Tyrese Bender - Cross Country, Track & Field
The Maggie Dixon Inspiration Award is given annually for fearless competitiveness and love of sport. Head women's basketball coach Dave Magarity helped present this year's award.
Awarded to: Samantha Stewart - Women's Lacrosse
The Gene Uchacz Memorial Award is given annually for being the epitome of a "team player." Lt. Col. Travis Uchacz, Gene's son, tuned in to present the award.
Awarded to: Maggie Petersen - Volleyball
The Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Curtis Buzzard helped present the Community Service Award which honors a cadet-athlete who makes an impact in their communities.
Awarded to: Connor Slomka - Football
The Class of 2020 was saluted next.
Women's Rookie of the Year: Gillian Burch, Swimming & Diving
Men's Yearling of the Year: Wyatt Schupler, Lacrosse
Women's Yearling of the Year: Alex DiMarco, Rugby
Men's Performance of the Year: Trevin Kozlowski's shootout vs. Air Force, Hockey
Women's Performance of the Year: Calli McMullen in the Army-Navy Star Meet, Track & Field
Special guest Command Sergeant Major Love presented the award for Play of the Year.
Awarded to: Eric Butte for his game-tying goal against Air Force, Hockey
Men's Cow of the Year: NaVonte Dean, Sprint Football
Women's Cow of the Year: Sydney Cassalia, Soccer
The Charge On Award was presented for the second-straight year by head coach of the Rabble Rousers, Matt Feye.
Awarded to: Taylor Graham
The Strength Award was also handed out for the second-straight year by head coach of the Strength Team, Scott Swanson.
Awarded to: Sean Fallon
Men's Firstie of the Year: Tommy Funk, Basketball
Women's Firstie of the Year: Calli McMullen, Track & Field
Director of Athletics Mike Buddie handed out the next two awards in the show. First up was Team of the Year.
Team of the Year: Wrestling
For the first time in Black Knight Awards history, the Army Athletic Association Awards and Special Award were handed out.
The Army Athletic Association Special Award is not awarded on an annual basis, but only presented when a worthy candidate arises. The Special Award is presented to a cadet-athlete for "exhibiting outstanding achievement and exemplary leadership in athletic competition."
Award Winner: Lynne Mooradian, Track & Field
The prestigious Army Athletic Association Award is awarded annually to the male and female cadet who displays the "most valuable service to intercollegiate athletics during a career as a cadet." The award is traditionally presented during the Awards Convocation just prior to graduation.
Male Award Winner: Tommy Funk, Basketball
Female Award Winner: Sam Sullivan, Rugby
Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams then delivered a special message during the program.
The evening was concluded with a year-end highlight video to honor all Army West Point teams for the 2019-20 season one final time.