Soccer Wins Tolbert Cup at Black & Gold Banquet

Soccer Wins Tolbert Cup at Black & Gold Banquet

4/19/2006

Vanderbilt’s student-athletes honored their peers at the annual Black and Gold Banquet, sponsored by the Student Athletic Advisory Council.  The dinner is organized entirely by the student-athletes down to the specific awards, the nominees and the winners.

The women’s soccer team was accorded the prestigious Tolbert Cup, given annually to the varsity team that has the best combination of winning percentage, community service and cumulative grade point average.  The team had a 16-3-3 record and landed an NCAA Tournament berth, combined for a 3.22 grade point and had a long and impressive resume of community service on both team and individual levels.

“This team has been such a pleasure to coach this year,” said a proud Ronnie Hill, the SEC Co-Coach of the Year. “They have a tremendous desire to excel in everything they do. To be honest, I was not even aware of some of the community service contributions they made — they did them for the right reasons and not for publicity or because they were prodded.”

Quarterback Jay Cutler was honored by his peers with the “Play of the Year”, coming during the winning drive in the Tennessee football game. The women’s “Play of the Year” was presented to tennis sophomore Amanda Taylor for her stirring victory to defeat second rated Notre Dame.

Soccer’s Ken Schoeni was named the men’s comeback player of the year for evolving into a record-setting goal keeper from his role as manager during his freshman year. Lacrosse goal keeper Brooke Shinaberry, who is deaf, was honored for her courageous play and example.

Cross country’s Tyler Harlan and bowling’s Jennifer Redmond were the Scholar Athletes of the Year while football’s Earl Bennett and basketball’s Jen Rispar were named newcomers of the year. Harlan has a 3.935 grade point, double majoring in Anthropology and East Asian Studies while Redmond has a 3.83 as an engineering honors student.

Erica Grimaldi of the basketball team and soccer’s Brent Richard were named Miss and Mr. Commodore as the student-athletes who best represent their team, the student-body and the campus community.

Anna Morgan of track and field was the winner of the Community Service Award for her many hours of service to the Nashville community.