The Mizzou Student-Athlete Advisory Committee came up with an idea to put on an event similar to ESPN’s "ESPY" Awards. The ROARS Award Show was held Monday night at Mizzou Arena. The show was set up to honor student-athletes, coaches and professors who made this past year one of the most successful in Mizzou history.
Some of the highlights from the evening. Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Anderson took home a pair of awards as he was voted as the Coach of the Year leading the Tigers to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Anderson, was also recognized with the Coaches’ Academic Enhancement Award for his emphasis on academics with his team and their efforts in the classroom.
Zaire Taylor of the basketball team picked up a couple of awards including male highlight of the year for his game-winning shot against Kansas, as well as winning the male rookie of the year award.
Soccer standout Michelle Collins grabbed two awards as Varsity M Female Athlete of the Year, along with the Director of Athletics Leadership Award. Collins’ team also won the Team Performance of the Year, for their run to winning the Big 12 Soccer Championship. Soccer also claimed hardware the Community Service Award.
The evening concluded with the awarding of the male and female athlete of the year award. The male honor went to 2008 consensus first-team All-American tight end and Mackey Award winner Chase Coffman. The female award was won by Sarah Shire of gymnastics for her outstanding season that saw her win the Big 12 Conference all-around and advance to the NCAA Championship Finals, where she won All-American honors.
Here’s a rundown of the winners and some great photos from mutigers.com
Coach of the Year
**Mike Anderson – Men’s Basketball
Bryan Blitz – Soccer
Rick McGuire – Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
Male "For the Love of the Game"
NOTE – Walk-on who makes significant contributions to their team
**Chris Johnson – Men’s Golf
Beau Brinkley – Football
Pat Fitzgerald – Track & Field
Female "For the Love of the Game"
NOTE – Walk-on who makes significant contributions to their team
**Kendra Collins – Soccer
Keely Brooks – Swimming & Diving
Lauren Nuckolls – Volleyball
Lauren Stephenson – Gymnastics
Community Service Award
**Soccer
Gymnastics
Women’s Golf
Male Highlight of the Year
**Basketball – Zaire Taylor’s game-winning shot against Kansas
Football – Jeremy Maclin’s punt return vs. Northwestern
Swimming & Diving – Greg DeStephen platform diving effort at Big 12 Championships
Female Highlight of the Year
**Swimming & Diving – Kayla Durnil’s 200-meter breaststroke win at Big 12 Championships
Golf – Julia Potter at the Johnie Imes Invitational
Softball – Julie Silver
Varsity M Male Athlete of the Year
NOTE – Chosen by the Varsity M Association, this award combines the best combined in the categories of athletics and academics
**Kurtis Gregory – Football
Kyle Gibson – Baseball
Peter Malnati – Men’s Golf
Jeff Wolfert – Football
Varsity M Female Athlete of the Year
NOTE – Chosen by the Varsity M Association, this award combines the best combined in the categories of athletics and academics
**Michelle Collins – Soccer
Alicia Hatcher – Gymnastics
Madison Marcolla – Golf
Chelsea Schriewer – Golf
Male Rookie of the Year
NOTE – Open to freshmen or junior college transfers
**Zaire Taylor – Basketball
Aaron Dixon – Track & Field
Elvis Fisher – Football
Female Rookie of the Year
**Shannon Leinert – Track & Field
Mary Burke – Gymnastics
Jordan Morcom – Swimming & Diving
Dr. Judith A Wells Male Academic Achievement Award
**J.T. Tiller – Basketball
Marcus Hoehn – Wrestling
Del Howard – Football
Dr. Judith A. Wells Female Academic Achievement Award
**Krishna Lee – Track & Field
Danielle Gruder – Gymnastics
Krista Kruse – Soccer
Male Unsung Hero Award:
NOTE – Given to someone who is a vital part of leadership to the team in a behind-the-scenes way
**Ben Wade – Track & Field
Dom Bradley – Wrestling
Matt Lawrence – Basketball
Female Unsung Hero Award:
**Liz Straatmann – Gymnastics
Coralie Baumann – Swimming & Diving
Janelle Cordia – Soccer
Shakara Jones – Basketball
Male "We Are Mizzou" Award NOTE – Given to someone who best encompasses the core values of academic integrity, social responsibility and athletic excellence
**Peter Malnati – Golf
Kurtis Gregory – Football
Matt Lawrence – Basketball
Female "We Are Mizzou" Award
**Alicia Hatcher – Gymnastics
Krishna Lee – Track & Field
Madison Marcolla – Golf
Team Performance of the Year
NOTE – Votes were compiled on March 19 th
**-Soccer – Wins 2008 Big 12 Tournament
Baseball – April 11, 2008 win against Texas
Men’s Basketball – Wins 2009 Big 12 Tournament
Male Athlete of the Year
**Chase Coffman – Football
DeMarre Carroll – Basketball
Kyle Gibson – Baseball
Chris Rohr – Track & Field
Female Athlete of the Year
**Sarah Shire – Gymnastics
Lori Halvorson – Swimming & Diving