For Immediate Release
May 23, 2002
Order of the C Announces 2001-02 Awards
Chicago -- Thirteen University of Chicago male student-athletes were recognized Tuesday night as the Order of the C held its 99th annual awards banquet.
Senior men's soccer player Pat Barry (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) received the Amos Alonzo Stagg Medal, which is presented to the outstanding senior athlete for athletic performance and ability, leadership, character, contribution to the team’s success, and scholarship. The award is named for Amos Alonzo Stagg, the University’s first director of athletics and legendary football coach.
Barry earned Academic All-America and All-America accolades as the Maroons won the University Athletic Association championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament this past season. Barry also earned an NCAA postgraduate scholarship.
Senior football player Roman Natoli (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) won the Mary Jean Mulvaney Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented to the senior four-year letter winner with the highest grade-point-average during his junior and senior years. The award was established to honor Mary Jean Mulvaney, former chairman of the department of physical education and athletics and a national leader in the development of women’s athletics.
A biochemistry major, Natoli was a four-time All-UAA selection as a kicker. The three-time UAA All-Academic Recognition Award winner holds or shares 11 school records.
Most valuable players were also announced at Tuesday's banquet.
Senior first baseman Joe Russo (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) earned baseball MVP honors after batting .356 with five home runs and 24 RBIs. Russo was also presented with the J. Kyle Anderson Award, which is awarded to the senior baseball player who best exemplifies character, leadership, integrity, and dedication to the team while distinguishing himself on the field.
In basketball, junior forward Derek Reich (Niles, Ill./West) was cited after earning All-America and UAA Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. He averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Senior guard Tyler Smithson (Seattle, Wash./Lake Washington) was awarded the Joseph M. Stampf Award, which is presented to the senior men's basketball player whose commitment to high values and integrity is expressed in his relationship with his teammates and coaches.
Sophomore Tom Haxton (Seattle, Wash./Shorecrest) was recognized in cross country. Haxton earned All-America, All-Midwest Region, and All-University Athletic Association recognition in 2001.
Junior quarterback Josh Dunn (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) was selected football MVP. An All-UAA first team pick, Dunn set Chicago modern era (since 1969) records with 2,466 passing yards, 193 completions, and 21 touchdowns.
Barry and senior Dan Dalton (St. Peter's, Mo./Duchesne) shared soccer MVP accolades. Dalton was an All-South Central Region and All-UAA performer for the 14-4 Maroons.
In swimming, MVP honors went to senior Jeremy Lankford (Houston, Texas/Jesse H. Jones). Lankford earned All-UAA honors by finishing third in the 100-yard backstroke at the league championship.
Senior Sean Cho (Seoul, South Korea/Amity) earned tennis MVP accolades. He led the club in doubles victories and played at three different singles slots.
Sophomore Adeoye Mabogunje (Tamuning, Guam/St. John's) and senior Jerome Tharaud (Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman) were recognized in indoor and outdoor track & field, respectively. Mabogunje won the UAA indoor title in the high jump and placed ninth in that event at the NCAA Division III Championship. Tharaud took top honors in the steeplechase and 5,000-meter run at the UAA outdoor championships and qualified for nationals in both events.
Sophomore Nick Kehagias (Phoenix, Ariz./North) received wrestling MVP recognition. Kehagias won his second straight UAA title at 125 pounds and placed third at the Great Lakes Regional.
Founded by Stagg in 1904, the Order of the C is the nation's longest-running collegiate men's athletics support organization.
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