University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Student-Athletes Honored At All-Sports Banquet.
April 21, 2003 | General
April 21, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Senior gymnast Natalie Halbach received the Jim Tatum Award, the ACC Scholar-Athlete Award and the ACC Top Six Award for Service Monday evening at North Carolina's annual All-Sports Banquet, held at the Dean E. Smith Center. The banquet included the student-athletes from all 28 of North Carolina's varsity programs, as well as coaches, administrators and staff.
An international studies major and French minor from Plymouth, Minn., Halbach is the second gymnast in the last three years to receive the prestigious Tatum award, which is presented annually to one UNC student-athlete who has performed with athletic distinction and has contributed to the University community through outreach activities. Brooke Wilson won the award in 2001.
"What Natalie has done for our program is set a standard we can hold up to future UNC gymnasts," Carolina gymnastics coach Derek Galvin said. "Not only is she an exceptional gymnast, but she took full advantage of what the University has to offer in every aspect of student life. She made it a personal mission to give back to the community and she'll leave UNC with a complete experience as a student. That's what I want for all our gymnasts."
Joining Halbach as recipients of ACC Top Six Awards for Service were Jay Batt (men's soccer), Gena Bittner (women's swimming), Ronald Brewer (football), Jordan Walker (women's soccer) and Andre Williams (football). The award goes to student-athletes who demonstrate dedication to community service and outreach programs.
Swimmer Stephen Mohr was the other recipient of the ACC Scholar-Athlete Award, given to one male and one female athlete from each conference school who demonstrate excellence in academics and athletics.
Sean Farrell (baseball) and Jennifer Thomas (women's basketball) were honored with the Mildred McCaskill Award, which goes to student-athletes who show excellence in athletics, scholarship and community service.
The ceremony also included recognition of winners of several awards announced over the last few months. Halbach, Mohr and Laura Greene (volleyball) were honored for earning ACC Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarships, and Matt Crawford (mens' soccer) was honored for earning an ACC Weaver-James-Corrigan Award.
Crawford and Malaika Underwood (volleyball) were recognized as recipients of NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships, while Underwood and Brewer were recognized as winners of NCAA Enhancement Scholarships.
"Tonight is one of my favorite nights of the year because we get the chance to recognize the successes of all our student-athletes," said UNC Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. "We expect Tar Heel athletes to excel in all areas, and they continually meet and surpass our expectations. They do an outstanding job of representing the University."
Baddour presented Scholar-Athlete Awards to one outstanding member of each UNC team. Recipients of Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete Awards for 2002-03 were: Sean Farrell (baseball), Will Johnson (men's basketball), Jennifer Thomas (women's basketball), Bobby Borbet (men's cross country), Bobbie Munson (women's cross country), Seth Axford (men's fencing), Laura Hays (women's fencing), Alison Stewart (field hockey), Marcus Wilson (football), Bob Cherry (men's golf), Meghan Adams (women's golf), Natalie Halbach (gymnastics), Austin Garrison (men's lacrosse), Jazmine Norton (women's lacrosse), Kara Kerscher (rowing), Matt Crawford (men's soccer), Jordan Walker (women's soccer), Anna Tharrington (softball), Stephen Mohr (men's swimming and diving), Laura Collier (women's swimming and diving), Ben Aiken (men's tennis), Marlene Mejia (women's tennis), Adam Shunk (men's indoor track and field), Ibiene Bilaye-Benibo (women's indoor track and field), Mark Curry (men's outdoor track and field), Jill Pedretti (women's outdoor track and field), Malaika Underwood (volleyball) and Mark Canty (wrestling).
Winners of the UNC strength and conditioning program's annual team awards also were announced. Honored as the Most Improved Teams for 2002-03 were field hockey and men's lacrosse. Honored for Outstanding Performance were volleyball and wrestling.
