<p>For: Immediate Release
Sent: January 19, 2007
Contact: Scott Strasemeier (410) 293-8775</p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The annual Naval Academy football banquet was held Friday evening at a sold-out Alumni Hall where several prestigious awards were handed out. The 2006 season was one of historical significance as the senior class became the first in school history to post a perfect 8-0 mark against Army and Air Force, win four-straight Commander-In-Chief's Trophies and appear in four-straight bowl games. Navy's 35 wins over the past four years are the second most in school history.</p>
<p>Senior outside linebacker David Mahoney (Fort Myers, Fla.) won the E.E. "Rip" Miller Award, which is presented to the season's most valuable player as voted on by his teammates. Mahoney recorded 84 tackles on the season, including 11.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks. Mahoney finished his career second all-time at Navy in tackles for a loss (42) and sacks (21).</p>
<p>Senior quarterback Brian Hampton (Scott Air Force Base, Ill.) earned the Joe Bellino Award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who is the leading ground gainer over his playing career. A first-year starter, Hampton rushed for 646 yards and 10 touchdowns in the first six games, leading Navy to a 5-1 record, before suffering a season-ending knee injury on the first series of the Rutgers game. Hampton finished his career with 806-career rushing yards.</p>
<p>Senior defensive back Jeremy McGown (Houston, Texas) was named the winner of the Roger Staubach Award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has contributed the most to the team's success over his playing career. The versatile McGown moved from quarterback to wide receiver as a freshman, where he was used mostly as a kick returner, and then in the spring of his freshman year, he was moved to the secondary where he found a home at both corner and safety the next three years. McGown finished his career with 220 tackles and three interceptions.</p>
<p>Senior wide receiver Jason Tomlinson (Arlington, Texas) earned the Napoleon McCallum Award, presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has gained the most all-purpose yards in his career. Tomlinson racked up 1,838 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns as a four-year starter at wide receiver. He was named the Philadelphia Sportswriters Most Valuable Player for his performance in the Army-Navy game and scored a touchdown in three of the final four games of the season.</p>
<p>The First Lieutenant Ron Winchester Unsung Hero Award, which is presented to an unheralded senior recognized as an over achiever and role model as
selected by a vote of his teammates, was presented to outside linebacker Anthony Piccioni (Ebensburg, Pa.). Piccioni has been a special teams stalwart the past three years, leading the charge down the field on both the kickoff and kickoff return squads. Piccioni recorded 24-career tackles, including 12 this season.</p>
<p>Senior defensive lineman John Chan (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) was awarded the George Fritzinger Memorial Award, presented annually to a member of the graduating class who as a football interior lineman has excelled as a student-athlete and has contributed to the overall team leadership and spirit. Chan had a superb senior year, recording 58 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and seven sacks. His 14-career sacks rank fourth all-time at Navy.</p>
<p>Senior outside linebacker Tyler Tidwell (Edmond, Okla.) took home the Jeffrey R. Korn Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award, established by Jeff's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald D. Korn, in memory of their son, a member of the Class of 1983. The award is given annually to the First Classman on the team who has demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and on the football field. Tidwell recorded 141 tackles in his career, including 31 tackles for a loss and 17 sacks. As a junior, Tidwell produced a school-record 10 sacks and finished his career third all-time in career sacks and seventh on the career tackles for a loss chart.</p>
<p>Senior center Cole Smith (Crockett, Calif.) was the recipient of the Cmdr. Ralph Sentmann Award, which honors the member of the graduating class from the varsity football team who has achieved the greatest increase in class
standing from Plebe year until First Class year. Smith was a valuable back-up center for the Mids, seeing action in every game and is part of a senior class that will go down as one of the greatest in school history.</p>
<p>Freshman slot back Scott Oswald (Houston, Texas) was awarded the Collins/Roos Class of 1949 Junior Varsity MVP Award, presented annually to the most valuable player on the junior varsity football team as chosen by a vote of his teammates. Oswald was the leading rusher for the JV team last fall and is expected to compete for playing time on the varsity this spring.</p>