2007
NEWS RELEASES FROM TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF COLUMBUS
The
53rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet is
history, and we have photos to prove it. Big
thanks to the 40+ athletes/honorees who attended,
as well as our loyal table sponsors. With another
event in the rear view mirror, it's time to look
ahead to the 54th TDC affair scheduled for
February 7, 2009 at The Lifestyle Communities
Pavilion. And it's never too early to make
advanced plans by contacting Kathleen Cleary at
461-5483 Ext. 203.
January
20, 2008: ILLINI COACH ZOOK AND
BUCKEYE BEANIE WELLS EARN BIG TEN HONORS
In just his third season at the helm, Illinois head coach
Ron Zook has taken the Illini from the bottom of the Big Ten to BCS contention. Following a 2-10 season in 2006, Coach Zook guided Illinois to an impressive 9-3 regular season in 2007, and a New Year's Day meeting with Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl. For this amazing, yet expected turnaround, Coach Zook has been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year by The Touchdown Club of Columbus. The Ohio native will be honored during the 53rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at The Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio.
The Touchdown Club has also named Ohio State running back
Chris "Beanie" Wells the Big Ten Player of the Year. The 6'1," 240-pound sophomore from Akron rushed for more than 1600 yards in 2007, including a dominating 222-yard performance against Michigan, and another 146-yard effort in the BCS Championship Game. Wells scored 16 touchdowns, and tallied 100+ yards in nine games.
The Touchdown Club of Columbus will present an Award of Distinction to six college football players during their 53rd Annual TDC Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 9th. Each of these young athletes have been selected as a "Player To Watch" in 2008. Scheduled to receive the award are quarterbacks TODD BOECKMAN (Ohio State), JOE GANZ (Nebraska) and KELLEN LEWIS (Indiana); running backs ARIAN FOSTER (Tennessee) and LeSEAN McCOY (Pittsburgh); and receiver BRIAN HARTLINE (Ohio State).
January
10, 2008: TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF COLUMBUS
ANNOUNCES 2007 Female Athlete of the Year
The
Touchdown Club of Columbus has announced
University of Georgia gymnast Courtney Kupets as
their selection for 2007 Female Athlete of the
Year. Courtney captured her second NCAA All-Around
Gymnastics title in leading the Gym Dogs to their
third consecutive National Championship in 2007.
Courtney competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in
Athens, and has earned five NCAA titles in just
two seasons. At this current pace, she is set to
become the most dominant female gymnast in NCAA
history.
Both Courtney and Georgia gymnastics coach Suzanne
Yoculan will be in attendance to accept the award
during the 53rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards
Banquet scheduled for February 9, 2008 at The
Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in Downtown
Columbus, Ohio.
January
10, 2008: 1957 BUCKEYES REUNITED AT TOUCHDOWN
CLUB OF COLUMBUS BANQUET
Despite losing
their season opener at home to TCU, the 1957 Ohio
State Buckeyes reeled off eight consecutive wins
to capture the Big Ten Championship and a trip to
Pasadena to face the Oregon Ducks. After edging
Oregon 10-7 at the 1958 Rose Bowl, Ohio State was
voted National Champions by UPI, and legendary
head coach Woody Hayes was named Coach of the
Year. Although 50 years have passed, the Touchdown
Club of Columbus will honor several members of
that great Ohio State football team during their
53rd Annual Awards Banquet scheduled for The
Lifestyle Communities Pavilion on Saturday,
February 9, 2008. Members of the '57 team who have
already confirmed their attendance include Rose
Bowl heroes Jim Houston and Don Sutherin, Jim
Marshall, Bob White, Aurealius Thomas, Don Clark,
Joe Trivisonno, Ed Breehl, and Birtho Arnold.
December
27, 2007: TDC ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR 2007
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Two
of the nation's most exciting and highly recruited
high school football players have been named
finalists for the prestigious Sam B. Nicola Award
presented annually by the Touchdown Club of
Columbus. The award, named for the Club's founder,
the late Sam B. Nicola, is presented to the
National High School Football Player of the Year.
Past winners include Emmitt Smith, Chris Spielman,
Joe Mauer, and last year's winner, Jimmy Clausen,
currently leading the Fighting Irish at Notre
Dame.
The National High
School Offensive Player of the Year is quarterback
Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette, Pennsylvania. Pryor
led his school to a perfect 16-0 season and the
State's Class AA Championship. He concluded his
high school career passing for more than 4000
yards, and rushing for another 4000+. The
6'6", 235 pound senior ran or passed for
nearly 60 touchdowns in 2007, and is considered
the nation's #1 high school football prospect.
On the defensive
side of the ball, the Touchdown Club has selected
tackle Marcus Forston from the famed Miami
Northwestern High School as the National High
School Defensive Player of the Year. The
6'2", 285 pound defensive force presents a
lethal combination of strength, speed, and
agility. Forston led his team to a perfect 15-0
season and the Florida Class 6A Championship.
Miami Northwestern also laid claim to the USA
Today National Title, and Marcus is currently
planning to join the Hurricanes at The University
of Miami.
The winner of the
Sam B. Nicola Award will be announced during the
53rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet on
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at The Lifestyle
Communities Pavilion in Downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Deccember
11, 2007: TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF COLUMBUS
ANNOUNCES 2007 FOOTBALL AWARDS
The
Touchdown Club of Columbus has announced their
annual college football awards for the 2007
season. The offense is led by Florida sophomore
quarterback Tim Tebow, and Arkansas running back
Darren McFadden. Freshman Michael Crabtree of
Texas Tech is the top wide receiver (as well as
Freshman of the Year) and is joined by Wisconsin
tight end Travis Beckum. Michigan senior
Jake Long completes the offense as the top
offensive lineman of 2007.
On
the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State's James
Laurinaitis is the best at the linebacker
position, while Kansas corner Aqib Talib claims
top defensive back honors. Sophomore
defensive end George Selvie of South Florida is
college football's best defensive lineman.
Jayhawks
head coach Mark Mangino is the TDC's pick for
Coach of the Year, and sophomore sensation Tim
Tebow of Florida is the 2007 winner of the Chic
Harley Award, symbolizing the Touchdown Club of
Columbus selection as College Football Player of
the Year.
Each
player will be honored during the 53rd Touchdown
Club of Columbus Awards Banquet on Saturday,
February 9, 2008 at the Lifestyle Communities
Pavilion in Downtown Columbus. For
additional information, check this website often.
Kansas
Jayhawks coach Mark Mangino has been named the
winner of the 2007 Woody Hayes Award presented by
The Touchdown Club of Columbus. Named for immortal
Ohio State coaching legend Woody Hayes, the trophy
is presented annually to the college football
Coach of the Year. Coach Mangino succeeds fellow
Youngstown State alumnus Jim Tressel of Ohio
State, winner of the Hayes Award in 2006. Mangino
led the 2007 Jayhawks to their best season in
school history, reeling off 11 straight wins and
securing a Top 5 finish with an impressive win
over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Coach
Mangino will be in attendance to accept the Woody
Hayes Trophy during the 53rd Touchdown Club of
Columbus Banquet on February 9, 2008 in Downtown
Columbus, Ohio.
December
11, 2007: LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES HERO
NAMED MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Most
of us simply dream of being the hometown hero
hitting a walk-off home run to win "The
Championship Game," but Dalton Carriker of
Warner Robins, Georgia has already fulfilled this
dream using the entire world as his stage.
Dalton's game winning home run in the eighth
inning of the Little League World Series
Championship Game gave the United States a 3-2 win
over Tokyo, Japan. Heroics such as these have
earned Dalton Carriker the honor of 2007 Male
Athlete of the Year as awarded by the Touchdown
Club of Columbus, Ohio. Dalton and Warner Robins
Manager Mickey Lay will be in attendance at the
53rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet on
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at The Lifestyle
Communities Pavilion in Downtown Columbus, Ohio.
For additional information, visit this website
often.
November
27, 2007: TEXAS TECH QB GRAHAM HARRELL WINS
SAMMY BAUGH AWARD
Texas Tech junior quarterback Graham Harrell, who currently leads the
nation in passing yards (5,298) and touchdown passes (45), is the winner of the Sammy
Baugh Trophy presented to college football's top passer by The Touchdown Club of Columbus.
The award was first presented in 1959 and has been held by legendary players including
Steve Young, John Elway, Danny Wuerffel, David Carr, and last year's winner, Hawaii
quarterback Colt Brennan. Harrell is the third Red Raider QB under the tutelage of Tech
Coach Mike Leach to receive the prestigious award. Kliff Kingsbury and B.J. Symons won
back-to-back Sammy Baugh Trophy Awards in 2002 and 2003. The Sammy Baugh Trophy will be
presented during the Touchdown Club of Columbus 53rd Annual Sports Banquet scheduled for
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in Downtown Columbus. For
additional information, check this website often.
November
27,2007: FITNESS AMERICA CHAMPION HONORED BY TOUCHDOWN CLUB
Dawn
Butterfield trained and competed for more than 10 years before
finally standing alone as the only woman ever to capture both the Fitness America
Pageant and the Fitness Universe titles. The beautifully fit 41-year old Rhode
Island mother will be honored during the 53rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Sports Banquet on
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at The Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in Downtown Columbus.
2007
NEWS RELEASES FROM TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF COLUMBUS
January
20, 2008: ILLINI COACH ZOOK AND
BUCKEYE BEANIE WELLS EARN BIG TEN HONORS
The
Touchdown Club of Columbus has announced
University of Georgia gymnast Courtney Kupets as
their selection for 2007 Female Athlete of the
Year. Courtney captured her second NCAA All-Around
Gymnastics title in leading the Gym Dogs to their
third consecutive National Championship in 2007.
Courtney competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in
Athens, and has earned five NCAA titles in just
two seasons. At this current pace, she is set to
become the most dominant female gymnast in NCAA
history.
Most
of us simply dream of being the hometown hero
hitting a walk-off home run to win "The
Championship Game," but Dalton Carriker of
Warner Robins, Georgia has already fulfilled this
dream using the entire world as his stage.
Dalton's game winning home run in the eighth
inning of the Little League World Series
Championship Game gave the United States a 3-2 win
over Tokyo, Japan. Heroics such as these have
earned Dalton Carriker the honor of 2007 Male
Athlete of the Year as awarded by the Touchdown
Club of Columbus, Ohio. Dalton and Warner Robins
Manager Mickey Lay will be in attendance at the
53rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet on
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at The Lifestyle
Communities Pavilion in Downtown Columbus, Ohio.
For additional information, visit this website
often.
Texas Tech junior quarterback Graham Harrell, who currently leads the
nation in passing yards (5,298) and touchdown passes (45), is the winner of the Sammy
Baugh Trophy presented to college football's top passer by The Touchdown Club of Columbus.
The award was first presented in 1959 and has been held by legendary players including
Steve Young, John Elway, Danny Wuerffel, David Carr, and last year's winner, Hawaii
quarterback Colt Brennan. Harrell is the third Red Raider QB under the tutelage of Tech
Coach Mike Leach to receive the prestigious award. Kliff Kingsbury and B.J. Symons won
back-to-back Sammy Baugh Trophy Awards in 2002 and 2003. The Sammy Baugh Trophy will be
presented during the Touchdown Club of Columbus 53rd Annual Sports Banquet scheduled for
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in Downtown Columbus. For
additional information, check this website often.
Dawn
Butterfield trained and competed for more than 10 years before
finally standing alone as the only woman ever to capture both the Fitness America
Pageant and the Fitness Universe titles. The beautifully fit 41-year old Rhode
Island mother will be honored during the 53rd Touchdown Club of Columbus Sports Banquet on
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at The Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in Downtown Columbus.
