Florida's 2003 team awards

[808]

From the Gator Attack Club's website (http://www.afn.org/~gac/):

This past Monday [January 5, 2004], at Emerson Alumni Hall, around 100 people attended the 2003 Awards Banquet honoring those Gators that excelled throughout the year:

Academic Awards - Stefanie Douglas
Gator Power Award - Benavia Jenkins
Serving Leader - Aury Cruz
Assist Leader - Lauren Moscovic
Block Leader - Benavia Jenkins
Passing Leader - Aury Cruz
Claire Roach Defense Award - Jen Mandes
Hitting Percentage Leader - Sherri Williams
Kill Leader - Aury Cruz
Gator Spirit Award - Michelle Chatman

In addition to the awards, the seniors (Jen Mandes, Aury Cruz, Jacque Robinson and Benavia Jenkins) gave their final speeches, which included both humorous moments as well as some very heart-felt ones. This was followed by Coach Mary Wise giving her Recipe for Greatness: talent, administrative support, die hard fans, excellent support staff (medical, academic, training and others), awesome coaches, strong family, but most importantly, 'special seniors.' These four ladies helped propel the Gators to their first ever Championship Match and have set the bar that much higher for future generations.

We'll miss you from the playing court, but you'll always be a Gator!! Good luck, ladies!!

And a slide show/photo gallery from the banquet is at: www.afn.org/~gac/Multimedia/images/2003/Awards%20Banquet/2003%20Awards%

They sure had a great year! Congratulations to all!

[vbweit]

Any other teams have similar awards news to post?

[GatorVball]

They also hung up the jerseys of Cruz, Jenkins, Manz, Staub and Gokberk in the Lemerand Center(the Vball practice court).

[IdahoBoy]

GatorVball said:

They also hung up the jerseys of Cruz, Jenkins, Manz, Staub and Gokberk in the Lemerand Center(the Vball practice court).

Are the jerseys retired or just honored?

[GatorVball]

Just honored, not retired. Florida doesn't retire jerseys, as a rule, in any sport. Spurrier had his #11 jersey retired after he won the Heisman, but when he returned to coach, he unretired it. That was the only time in any sport at UF a jersey was retired.

[IdahoBoy]

GatorVball said:

Just honored, not retired. Florida doesn't retire jerseys, as a rule, in any sport. Spurrier had his #11 jersey retired after he won the Heisman, but when he returned to coach, he unretired it. That was the only time in any sport at UF a jersey was retired.

I think that is a great idea.

[Gorf]

GatorVball said:

Just honored, not retired. Florida doesn't retire jerseys, as a rule, in any sport. Spurrier had his #11 jersey retired after he won the Heisman, but when he returned to coach, he unretired it. That was the only time in any sport at UF a jersey was retired.

Old numbers never retire they just get returned to the bit bucket.

[808]

Gator (or anyone else), do you know what the Power Award is recognition for?

What about the Spirit Award? Is that like being the most inspirational player?

[IdahoBoy]

I would assume that the power award stems from the huge emphasis that Florida puts on their weight training program. Benavia was probably a moose in the weightroom. She looks the most ripped.

[sIsam]

GatorVball said:

They also hung up the jerseys of ...... Staub and Gokberk in the Lemerand Center(the Vball practice court).

Cool! they're still remembered over there huh? Their pounding of Rice was the first time I was introduced to College VB....