April 25, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego athletic department in cooperation with On Broadway hosted their annual Celebration of Excellence Banquet presented by Alexis and Ron Fowler recognizing USD athletes for their many accomplishments this past season.
On Broadway catered the event at their establishment downtown providing the student-athletes with a fun night-club like atmosphere for the event. JT Rogan and Luke Roniger were the emcees for the evening bringing humor to every opportunity possible towards their fellow student-athletes and other teams.
The first award was for the Top Torero Moment of the 2007-2008 year. No. 3 was pitcher Josh Romanski's no hitter vs. Harvard in March. Romanski faced 28 batters striking out eight during the game. No. 2 was the women's basketball victory over Gonzaga in the WCC Tournament Championship punching their ticket to the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The No. 1 Top Torero Moment of the year was De'Jon Jackson's 18-foot jumper with 1.2 seconds left in overtime to give the Toreros a 70-69 win over No. 4 seed UConn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Women's Rowing was the winner of the Champs Challenge, a competition among the teams for their participation in activities outside their individual sports. Women's Rower Jess Krane was also recognized with the Student-Athlete Leadership Award for her leadership abilities and organization and participation of events on and off campus. The Toreros Linking to the Community award for the student-athlete who has significant contributions to the community was given to Nichole Valenzuela of the softball team.
Sophomore Ashlen Nimmo of the women's cross country team was awarded the highest GPA for the sophomore class with a 3.935. Mark Hubbard of the men's cross country team earned the junior class highest GPA award with a 3.935. While Jennifer Lagedrost of the women's cross country team held the highest GPA of all the seniors with a 3.909.
Athletic Director Ky Snyder handed out the male and female Rookie of the Year awards. The Male Rookie of the Year award went to Victor Sanchez of the baseball team. Female Rookie of the Year award went to Ali Troost of the volleyball team. He also gave out the male and female Torero of the Year awards. Female Torero of the Year was Laurel Abrahamson of the volleyball team. While Male Torero of the Year was Josh Johnson of the football team.
The event concluded with the highlight film touching on great moments from every sport this past year. At the end of the highlight film, a roaring standing ovation by the audience put a nice end to the evening.
