Dec. 13, 2009
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two Vanderbilt defensive standouts, Chris Marve and Sean Richardson, and receiver Chris Reinert walked away with top postseason awards at the 2009 Commodore football banquet held Sunday on campus.
Reinert, a receiver/holder from Santa Ana, Calif., received the Dedication Award from Head Coach Bobby Johnson. The award, selected by the Commodore coaches, recognized Reinert for his remarkable return to the field after suffering a serious leg fracture one year ago against South Carolina.
Co-captains Patrick Benoist, Ryan Hamilton and Bradley Vierling joined Assistant Head Coach/Defense Bruce Fowler to present the Captain’s Award to Marve, a sophomore linebacker who earned second team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the coaches after ranking among league leaders in total tackles.
The Vanderbilt Hustle Award, voted on by the entire squad, was presented to Richardson, a safety from Linden, Ala.
During the banquet, Johnson saluted the 24 Commodore seniors headed by co-captains Patrick Benoist, Ryan Hamilton and Bradley Vierling, and 2009 starters Mackenzi Adams, Greg Billinger, Joel Caldwell, Ryan Custer, Jared Hawkins, Eric Hensley, Myron Lewis, Broderick Stewart, Steven Stone, Brent Trice, Brett Upson, Alex Washington and Thomas Welch. Other seniors recognized were Bo Baggarley, Brandon Bryant, Chris DeGeorge, Justin Green, Chris Johnson, John Laughrey, Gaston Miller and Justin Wheeler.
Johnson also paid tribute to the team’s leadership council comprised of Benoist, Hamilton, Vierling, Adams, Hawkins, Lewis, Reinert, Stone, Upson, Washington and Welch.
Following is a complete list of Vanderbilt football award winners announced at the banquet:
– Dedication Award – Chris Reinert, redshirt senior wide receiver
– Captain’s Award – Chris Marve, redshirt sophomore linebacker
– Vanderbilt Hustle Award – Sean Richardson, sophomore safety
– Dr. Henry Tyler Academic Achievement Award – Patrick Benoist, senior linebacker
– Offensive Back Award – Warren Norman, freshman running back
– Receiver Award – John Cole, redshirt freshman wide receiver
– Offensive Lineman Award – Bradley Vierling, redshirt senior center
– Defensive Lineman Award – T.J. Greenstone, redshirt sophomore tackle
– Linebacker Award – Chris Marve
– Defensive Back Award – Casey Hayward, sophomore cornerback
– Specialist of the Year Award – Norman, kickoff returner; and Brett Upson, senior punter
– Strength & Conditioning Award – Adam Smotherman, redshirt junior defensive tackle
– Offensive Scout MVP – Wesley Johnson, freshman lineman
– Defensive Scout MVP – Marc Panu, freshman linebacker
