May 7, 2007
(San Diego, CA) - At Sunday's Sports Celebration event, the 2007 Torero Athletes of the Year were announced. The Torero Athlete of the Year Award is given to the male and female athlete who have made the greatest impact at USD through their successes athletically, academically, on campus and in the local community. Senior Ross DeRogatis, a member of the men's basketball team, was named the 2007 Male Torero Athlete of the Year. Junior Amanda Rego, a member of the women's basketball team, was named the 2007 Female Torero Athlete of the Year. Ron Fowler, Chairman of the Athletics Committee of the USD Board of Trustees, was on hand to present the awards.
During the 2007 season, DeRogatis became USD's all-time three-point shooter with 98 made treys this season and 228 for his career. He was named to the WCC All-Academic team and named WCC honorable mention. USD's team captain, he leaves USD tied for 15th on the school's all-time scoring chart with 1,090 points.
Amanda Rego, who was named co-WCC Player of the Year, is the first women's basketball player to earn this honor. She was named First Team All-WCC, WCC co-Player of the Month for December, and a WCC Player of the Week twice. She led the nation in assists (7.6) and easily broke the Torero single season mark with 222. Very active in the community, she was involved with the Race for Literacy, girl scouts, volunteering at Bay Park Elementary School and Linda Vista Middle School.
New to the banquet was the Torero CHAMPS Challenger winner. All teams were awarded points based on different types of participation - student athlete support at competitions, contributing to the community, participating in SAAC meetings and defeating San Diego State. The first year winner was the women's basketball team. The women's swimming and diving team was recognized with the Toreros Linking To the Community Award for all of their organization and planning of community service events.
The Third Annual Academic Achievement Awards were presented by Dr. Mitch Malachowski, USD's Faculty Athletic Representative, to the senior, junior and sophomore with the hightest cumulative GPA in their class. The sophomore class winner was Eric Stoddard, a member of the cross country team, who carries a 3.83 GPA. The Junior Class winner was Jennifer Lagedrost, a women's cross country runner, who owns a 3.88. The Senior Class winner was Brittany Young, a member of the women's soccer team, with a 3.76. The highest GPA winner was Mark Hubbard from the cross country team with a 3.93.
The evening concluded with senior awards and a highlight video from the 2006-07 campaign.
