Fresno State Athletics
Southern Receives NCAA Top VIII Award At NCAA Centennial Celebration Gala
1/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 7, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS - While the 2006 NCAA Convention officially kicked off this weekend in Indianapolis, the year-long celebration of the NCAA's Centennial and theme "Celebrate the Student-Athlete" began tonight with a gala at The Murat Theatre that honored 18 individuals for their pursuit of excellence as an all-around individual.
For one Bulldog it was a special night as former Fresno State softball All-American Jamie Southern (Clovis, Calif.) received an NCAA Top VIII Award.
Selected among hundreds nominated for achievements in athletics, academics and in their communities, Southern is the university's second honoree and the fourth Division I softball student-athlete to be inducted into the NCAA's wall of honors.
A current member of the U.S. Women's National Softball Team, Southern wrapped up her career by ranking in nine of 11 NCAA Division I career softball categories, including four Top 10 marks. The two-time NCAA ERA statistical champion and four-time Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year also was an Academic All-American who graduated Cum Laude last May.
"I really didn't realize how big this award was until I got to Indianapolis and saw the number of people that were here and the production that they put on," Southern said. "I went to the NCAA Hall of Champions before the award ceremony and saw my name on the wall with some of the best athletes to have played intercollegiate athletics. To be on that wall with these amazing athletes is overwhelming but at the same time amazing.
"I am honored to be recognized for all the hard work that my team and I have been through," Southern added. "All of my teammates and people who have influenced me as a person and athlete are very much a part of this award. I am proud to represent the community of Fresno as well as Fresno State."
Fresno State is currently among an elite group of schools. Having had two NCAA Top VIII Award winners in the last six years, the university joins the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Nebraska, Penn State, Stanford and UCLA for multiple awardees.
"This is an extraordinary accomplishment and great tribute to head coach Margie Wright and most especially a fantastic tribute to Jamie for her extraordinary leadership in the classroom, on the field and in the community," University President Dr. John D. Welty said. "Tonight is a night that you can very be proud of Fresno State."
"Fresno State is an institution that excels in the student-athlete taking advantage of academics and athletics," Senior Associate Athletics Director Betsy Mosher said. "For Fresno State to be listed among an elite group of institutions to have had multiple honorees in the last six years, this showcases how well academics and athletics work together for our student-athletes which leads to such an extraordinary award."
"This was an awesome celebration and so deserving for Jamie," Wright said. "This award is all inclusive of not only athletic ability but academic prowess and service to others which Jamie has been an exemplary steward. It was a thrill to sit and watch her be a part of so many outstanding recipients and to see Fresno State recognized is such a thrill for all of us and an honor in which the community can be especially proud of. I feel so fortunate to have been her coach."
Other NCAA Top VIII Award recipients honored tonight were Samantha J. Arsenault (Georgia, swimming and diving), Sarah Dance (Truman State, swimming and diving), Carter B. Hamill (Amherst, cross country/track and field), Nick Hartigan (Brown, football), Ryans DeMeco (Alabama, football), Richelle A. Simpson (Nebraska, gymnastics) and Christine Sinclair (Portland, soccer).
Other presentations tonight included the Silver Anniversary, the Inspiration Award, and the Theodore Roosevelt Award - the NCAA's highest honor.
The Inspiration Award honorees were Raul Altreche (current student-athlete at Amherst College), John Doar (a catalyst in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's) and Lois Taurman (a four-year three-sport participant at Bellarmine University who became a quadriplegic and represents the United States in wheelchair track and field sports).
The Silver Anniversary Award winners were Valerie B. Ackerman (current president of USA Basketball and first-ever president of the WNBA), Danny Ainge (current executive director of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics and member of two world championship teams with the Boston Celtics), Charles E. Davis (founder and executive director of the Charles Davis Foundation and former NBA standout), Dr. Terry Schroeder (current head men's water polo coach at Pepperdine and two-time Olympic silver medalist for the United States in water polo), Michael Singletary (current assistant linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers and former 10-time NFL Pro Bowl selection who played for the Chicago Bears) and Susan D. Wellington (former president of Gatorade).
The Theodore Roosevelt Award went to Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group and Owner and CEO of The New England Patriots.
The Master of Ceremonies was Jack Ford, anchor of Court TV and host of the PBS Series, Inside the Law. The award category hosts were Calvin Hill, Consultant for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys; Kara Lawson, member of the 2005 WNBA Sacramento Monarchs and studio/game analyst for ESPN; and John R. Wooden, legendary UCLA men's basketball coach.
The Honors Committee, who were responsible for the selection of the Top VIII Awards, Silver Anniversary Awards, Inspiration Awards and Theodore Roosevelt Award, are Valerie A. Richardson (Chair), Cedric W. Dempsey, Susan M. Hartmann, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Julie P. Ruppert, Thomas J. Brown, Timothy W. Gleason, Calvin Hill and Gibbs Knotts.
Rebroadcasts of the 2006 NCAA Honors Celebration will air at the following dates and times:
Jan. 10 on ESPNU (7 p.m., PT; 10 p.m., EST) - two hour show
Jan. 11 on ESPNU (2 p.m., PT; 5 p.m., EST) - two hour show
Jan. 15 on ESPNU (3 p.m., PT; 6 p.m., EST) - two hour show
Jan. 31 on ESPN2 (12 p.m., PT; 3 p.m., EST) - one hour show
To learn more about the NCAA Honors Celebration and other NCAA programs, visit www.NCAA.org.
