April 16, 2008
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| Caroline Ferrell and Amanda Taylor accept the Tolbert Cup, which was awarded to the women’s tennis team for having the best combined total of GPA, winning percentage, and community service hours. |
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Basketball star Shan Foster and lacrosse goal keeper Brooke Shinaberry each won two awards and women’s tennis won the coveted Tolbert Cup at Vanderbilt’s Black and Gold Banquet, the annual all-sports awards function.
The nationally ranked tennis team was selected as the varsity program with the best combination of community service, athletic performance and academic achievement. For that distinction, it wins the Tolbert Cup, named for Ryan Tolbert, who won Vanderbilt’s only individual national champion in track in 1996.
Foster, who won All-America honors after his stellar career, was presented with the Jim Robins Award, given annually to perpetuate the memory of James A. Robins, class of 1892, whose life and teaching exemplified selfless devotion to learning, to honor, to participate in sports and to service to youth and Vanderbilt. It is awarded to the senior student-athlete in whose life these virtues are most evident.
Last month Foster won the national Senior CLASS Award for his unselfish ways and community service in addition to his basketball skills.
Foster also won the “Play of the Year” for men’s sports, voted upon by the student-athletes themselves. Foster was chosen for his legendary performance against Mississippi State in which he scored 42 points and won the game on a three-point shot at the buzzer.
Shinaberry won the Community Service Award, which goes to a student-athlete who has performed numerous hours of community service and has made a significant contribution to the Nashville community.
She was also voted “Miss Commodore” by her peers, an honor for a graduating senior student-athlete who best represents their team, the student-athlete body and the campus community.
Football linebacker Jonathan Goff was voted “Mr. Commodore” on the same set of criteria.
Bowling’s Josie Earnest won the “Play of the Year” for women’s sports. Her clutch strikes in the 10th frame of the 2007 NCAA Championship won Vanderbilt’s first NCAA team title.
Shannon McConnaughey, a swimmer, won the Dr. Jerry Reves Award as the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average.
Cross country’s Rita Jorgensen and basketball’s A.J. Ogilvy were voted Newcomers of the Year for having the most impact on their team as a new member of the team.
Adrienne DiRaddo, a cross country and track and field team member and Davis Nwankwo of basketball were named “Comeback Players of the Year.” Both have overcome various heart ailments.
