The end of another memorable year in Boston College sports is upon us, and it's time to take a look back and give credit where credit is due. We've seen the football team climb all the way up to No. 2 in the nation, the hockey team take home the national championship, and the basketball team have a rebuilding year on the hardwood. The presentation of awards will be similar to that of the Dundies; banquet at Chili's is on Friday night.
The Doug Flutie Award for Outstanding Achievement - Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is really the obvious choice for this selection, as he led the Eagles to contention for the national championship game and was on the short list for the Heisman until the last few games of the season.
He even provided BC fans with a moment that conjured up moments of a simpler time in football when the uniforms were uglier and quarterbacks wore jerseys cut off at the stomach. There will be a huge hole to be filled next year in the backfield, and also in the hearts of many girls who will be losing their only recognizable name on the field. Ryan capped off his impressive run on Saturday by being the highest picked Boston College prospect ever, going No. 3 to the Atlanta Falcons. Now he'll have to find a way to institute a winning culture in Atlanta and keep away from the dog-fighting scene.
The Justin Timberlake ('NSync) Brightest Star Award - Tyrese Rice
Although the Eagles struggled on the court most of the year, Tyrese Rice amassed an impressive statistical season, which culminated in a 46-point effort against North Carolina. Much in the way Justin Timberlake became the defining star of 'NSync, Tyrese Rice has identified himself as the leader of the young Eagles. Tyrese will now spend this offseason preparing for an improved winter campaign and trying to find a shot that he doesn't like.
The Brett Favre Man of the People Award - Jamie Silva
The unquestioned inspirational figurehead of the BC football season this year has to be Jamie Silva. He was a First Team All-American, a finalist for the Thorpe Award (best defensive back), and spawned numerous Facebook groups, one in which he does unsavory things to people's girlfriends. Silva is able to relate to the common man with his incredible work ethic and by finding their old notebooks in the dumpster. It's truly a shame his name wasn't called this weekend in New York, but I'm sure that the Colts will be happy they signed him this week. Once teams overlook his 40 times and other irrelevant combine statistics, they'll find a winner in Silva.
The Kanye West Award for Most Impressive Snub - Nathan Gerbe
After continuously Gerb-stomping the competition all year long and leading the Eagles to a national championship, Gerbe failed to win the Hobey Baker Award for the best player in college hockey. It could be said that Gerbe got the last laugh, but laughs can't be kept in the trophy case in Conte Forum. If Gerbe is to come back for his senior year, he should be the front-runner for the award and hopefully will bring back the Hobey Baker and another national championship to Chestnut Hill. Let's get greedy.
The PSE&G Pure Electricity Award - John Oates
It can be said that every moment John Oates was on the floor this year was purely electric. I believe if a stat was kept for the proportion of fervent fan reactions to touches, Oates would be the unquestioned leader.
Maybe we didn't make the NCAA tournament, but Oates's perfect first half against Maryland was truly our one shining moment.
Spring Break
