Hampton Roads Sports Commission Announces Winners of Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year for College Football and Basketball Awards
Awards Presented at Celebration of College Athletics Awards Dinner Held on April 17
Hampton Roads, VA — The Hampton Roads Sports Commission (HRSC) hosted its Celebration of College Athletics Awards Dinner on April 17 to recognize and celebrate the local football and basketball programs of the Apprentice School, Christopher Newport University, College of William and Mary, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University and Virginia Wesleyan College.
During the dinner, the Hampton Roads Sports Commission Player of the Year Awards, presented by Vandeventer Black LLP, were awarded to the top offensive and defensive players within the region in college football, men’s college basketball and women’s college basketball.
Football
Offensive Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year
Taylor Heinicke Evan Moog
Quarterback, Old Dominion University Linebacker, Christopher Newport University
Men’s Basketball
Offensive Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year
Pendarvis Williams Terrence Palmer
Guard, Norfolk State University Guard, Apprentice School
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Celebration of College Athletics Winners, 2
Women’s Basketball
Offensive Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year
Keiara Avant Janine Aldridge
Forward, Hampton University Guard, College of William & Mary
Each football and basketball program nominated a student athlete for each category. A selection committee, consisting of local sports experts familiar with the school programs, selected the top offensive and defensive players from the nominees. The six winners were announced at the April 17 awards dinner.
During the dinner, Jim Ducibella served as keynote speaker. In August 1981, Jim was offered a job at The Virginian-Pilot covering ODU men’s and women’s basketball and college football and golf. After three years with The Virginian-Pilot, Jim made a move over to University of Virginia football and basketball and ACC. During his career, Jim was voted Virginia sportswriter of the year seven times by his peers in the state. In 2010, Jim was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Author of two books, including King of Clubs: The Great Golf Marathon of 1938, which was named 2012 book of the year by the International Network of Golf.
Thanks to event sponsors: Vandeventer Black LLC (Players of the Year); Old Dominion University (Gold); Apprentice School and City of Newport News (Silver).
About the Hampton Roads Sports Commission (www.HamptonRoadsSports.org)
In February 1999, the Hampton Roads Sports Commission (HRSC) was formed as a private/public partnership among the municipalities of Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. The Sports Commission's primary function is to attract major amateur athletic events to the area to emphasize regional collaboration. The HRSC promotes Hampton Roads while enhancing the economy and quality of life of its residents by creating and recruiting local and national amateur, military and youth sporting events, while providing unparalleled customer service. Past HRSC events include: the AAU Junior Olympic Games (1998, 2001, 2006, 2010), the National Senior Games (2003), and the Red Cross Heroes Games (2004, 2005). During the past 12 years, the HRSC has generated more than $168 million in economic impact for the region. The Hampton Roads Sports Commission is an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Follow us on Facebook (Hampton Roads Sports Commission) and Twitter (HRSC757).
About the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce (www.HamptonRoadsChamber.com)
The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit, member-based business organization. The Chamber is a vigorous advocate for the economic success of its nearly 2,000 member businesses, which employ more than 280,000 men and women in southeastern Virginia. The Chamber promotes Hampton Roads’ healthy business climate through economic development, public policy initiatives, services and benefits to members. The Chamber is dedicated to creating economic opportunity and enhancing the quality of life in Hampton Roads.
To request high resolution photos, contact Lisa Jones at or 757-664-2531
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