UNO Honors Its Seniors at First Annual Banquet
Apr 26, 2010 | General
OMAHA, Neb. – The University of Nebraska at Omaha celebrated the accomplishments of its student-athletes at the first annual “A Night at the OSCARS”, a year-end banquet honoring the 61 graduating seniors and all other athletes. OSCARS stands for Outstanding Students Celebrating Achievement and Recognition Showcase.
The event drew more than 700 to the Qwest Center Omaha on Sunday night. UNO alumnus and local businessman Van Deeb, himself a former UNO football player, was the keynote speaker at the event.
UNO recognized both a male and female student-athlete for their career achievements. Associate Athletic Director #Don Leahy# presented the Career Senior Male Student-Athlete Award, sponsored by Lee Sapp, to Andrew Bridger of the basketball team. As a senior, he led the Mavericks to the MIAA championship and a berth in the NCAA playoffs while serving as team captain. He is only the third player in UNO history to score more than 1,000 points, have 400 assists and 100 steals. He is a two time all-conference player and was named academic all-conference three times.
Assistant athletic director #Connie Claussen# presented the Career Senior Female Student-Athlete Award, sponsored by the Leland and Dorothy Olson Foundation, to Ellen Thommes of the UNO volleyball team. Thommes earned Freshman of the Year honors for the volleyball team and was a member of the all-conference team in the NCC and the MIAA during all four years of her career. Three times, she was named an NCAA all-region player and as a senior was named a second team All-American. She ranks tenth all-time in career kills, passing the 1,000 mark this past season.
UNO also presented the Humanitarian Award, given to the male or female student-athlete from any class who had the most positive impact on the community through community service in 2009-10. The award is sponsored by OrthoWest. Mike Higgins of the football team won the award. He participated in the Seven Days of Service for three years, lending his skills to Habitat for Humanity. He served meals at the Open Door Mission, visited residents at Quality Living, Inc. and offered his football know-how to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Football Camp.
The Phoenix Award was presented to the male or female student-athlete from any class who has overcome extreme hardship or challenges to contribute to the success of Maverick athletics. The first ever winner of the award was Ashley Nelson of the basketball team. As a freshman, she learned that her mother, Cheri, had been diagnosed with cancer for a second time. At the urging of her mom and her father Layne, Ashley continued to attend school and play basketball for the Mavericks, even though her thoughts were with her mom. Ashley continued to improve as a player, even as she watched the disease eventually take her mother's life prior to her senior year. Ashley and her teammates played the past season in tribute to Cheri Nelson, and Ashley had a career year for the Mavericks, both on the court and in the classroom.
UNO also recognized the 96 student athletes who made the Dean's List during the fall semester and the 23 student-athletes who made the Chancellor's List after achieving a grade point average of 4.0. Jeremie Dupont of the hockey team and Jessica Powers of the soccer team also were recognized for winning the UNO scholar-athlete award for 2009-10.
