MACOMB, Ill. - Head coach Mark Hendrickson handed out the 2009 Western Illinois University Football awards at a team banquet Sunday afternoon (Dec. 6). More than 200 people attended the awards banquet, held inside the Lamoine Room at the University Union.
"This season we truly became a family. The positive attitude the players took on the field every day, the consistent work ethic and the passion for football was very impressive day after day. The major reason for this determination was the captains that led each day," said Hendrickson who earlier this week removed the acting tag from his head coach title.
Senior running back Dre Gibbs and junior linebacker Kyle Glazier were named the team's Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Player, respectively.
Gibbs averaged 100 yards on the ground per game, good for 10th nationally. His 105.2 all-purpose ypg currently ranks him 63rd in the country. Gibbs ran for 100-plus yards on six occasions, including three games of 150 or more yards. In 32 career games he rushed for just under 2,000 yards (1,932) and 14 touchdowns.
"Every running back knows you can't do it alone. I want to thank all of you for a great season. Do not be sorry for this season, the best is yet to come for everyone. Keep your head up and stay strong. Let's get the ball rolling and get back on track," said Gibbs.
Glazier led the Missouri Valley Football Conference and is tied for ninth nationally averaging 10.9 tackles per game. On seven occasions he recorded double-digit tackles, including a season-high 16 tackles at Indiana State. Glazier recorded an interception in consecutive games against Stephen F. Austin and Southern Illinois.
"I'd like to thank coach (Thomas) Casey for putting me into position to make plays. He trusts me on the field to make the right calls and I trust him to make the right calls in putting me in place. I'd also like to thank Coach Hendrickson," said Glazier. "Not only did he do a great job coaching this year and holding this team together through a lot, but in high school I didn't get recruited by a lot of people. He was one of the only big time Division I coaches to come into my high school and make me feel wanted and I want to thank him for that."
Also honored at the banquet were the 12 seniors off the 2009 squad, including: Nick Daly, Sam Dancer, Buddy Dudczak, Gibbs, Stephen Moore, Chris Riley, Ed Roberts, Daniel Speight, Patrick Stoudamire, Kyle Thierry, Trokon Tompo and Matt Warner.
Four Leathernecks were named to the MVFC All-Academic Team, including: Matt Barr, Glazier, Myers Hendrickson and Rick Richardson. Earlier this season, Barr represented Western Illinois as one of 52 nominees for the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award, given to excellence in the classroom and involvement in extracurricular activities. Barr, the only student-athlete among the 52 nominees, won the award.
"This award was based on academics and extracurricular activities so it was a great honor for me as a football player to receive this award because of all the hard work that football players do outside the classroom," said Barr. "Everybody in this room knows the amount of hours football players spend preparing for games, waking up early and staying up late, all for one game on Saturday. Everyone should be proud for putting in the same amount of work I do."
The following is a list of the 2009 Western Illinois Leatherneck Football Award winners.
2009 Team Captains
Matt Barr (Jr/QB)
Buddy Dudczak (Sr/LB)
Dre Gibbs (Sr/RB)
Kyle Glazier (Jr/LB)
Trokon Tompo (Sr/DB)
Dr. Frank Sorenson Award for Academic Achievement
(Awarded to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA)
Myers Hendrickson (Soph/WR, 3.875 GPA)
Robert Blaha, Sr. Scholarship Award
(Awarded for a combination of academics, team leadership and overall contribution to the team)
Kyle Glazier (Jr/LB)
Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award
Matt Barr (Jr/QB)
Scout Team Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Jimmy Holtschlag (Fr/OL)
Ryan Waldron (R-Fr/RB)
Scout Team Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Ethan Bachinski (Fr/LB)
Ryan Demming (Fr/DL)
Special Teams Player of the Year
Todd Speight (Jr/RS)
Green Beret Award
(For significant contributions to the kicking game)
Steve Adams (Jr/Long Snapper)
Chris Fuchs (Jr/P)
Coaches' Appreciation Award
Stephen Moore (Sr/DB)
Rick Richardson (So/FB)
Chris Riley (Sr/DL)
Ed Roberts (Sr/DB)
Daniel Speight (Sr/OL)
Hustle Awards
Buddy Dudczak (Sr/LB)
Lito Senatus (Jr/WR)
Matt Warner (Sr/TE)
Wes Stevens 'Offensive Lineman of the Year'
Nick Daly (Sr/OL)
Red Miller Award
Brandon Kreczmer (Jr/LB)
Western Illinois 2009 Most Valuable Player
Dre Gibbs (Sr/RB)
Kyle Glazier (Jr/LB)
