Keeran Honored As Tar Heel MVP

April 26, 2004 | Field Hockey

By: UNC Athletic Communications

April 26, 2004

Junior Kelsey Keeran, a first-team All-America selection who led UNC in scoring in 2003, was the recipient of four team awards as the Carolina field hockey team held it annual banquet on Saturday. Keeran was honored with the Anderson Mark of Excellence MVP Award, the Lingo Award as the Spectators' Player of the Year and the Keller Award for Open-Play Assists, as well as a new award, the Practice Player of the Year Award.

Kerry Falgowski, also a junior on last season's squad, received the Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award and the Players' Player Award. Rachel Dawson, who led the 2003 squad in goals with 19, received the Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year Award. Carey Fetting-Smith, a junior and team captain in 2003, received the Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award.

The awards dinner was part of the program's Alumni Weekend, which also included an Alumni vs. Varsity game on Saturday. The current Tar Heels beat the former UNC players, 7-6.

Tar Heel alums who participated in the weekend's events were Amy Cox Vitt (1989-92), Jen DiCuollo (1994-97), Joy Driscoll Durling (1994-97), Stephanie Fuller (1999-2002), Barb Hansen (1991-94), Mary Hartzell (1989-92), Mary Havell (2001-03), Holly Huff Bruland (1997-2000), Kim Knickerbocker Gey (1979-82), Moira McFadden (1995-98), Sharon Moore Leroux (1991-94), Nancy Pelligreen (1995-98), Stacey Schweighart Hrdlicka (1995-98), Mary Sentementes Michailidis (1981-84), Kate Sidebottom (1997-2000), Christy Utter (1993-96), Cindy Werley (1993-94, 1996-97) and Jana Withrow (1994-97)

2004 Carolina Field Hockey Alumni Game

2003 North Carolina Team Awards

Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year Award
Each year, the Carolina field hockey family welcomes new freshmen into the fold. The freshman who contributes the most to the team in her inaugural season is selected as the Rookie of the Year. This award recognizes the individual's ability to play an early role and her potential to impact the future of the program.
This award is named for Tar Heel fans Ken and Cheryl Williams, who also have endowed a scholarship for field hockey.
Winners - 1994: Kate Barber, 1995: Nancy Pelligreen, 1996: Jana Toepel, 1997: Carrie Lingo; 1998: Abby Martin, 1999: Meredith Keller, 2000: Katy Potter, 2001: Carey Fetting-Smith, 2002: Naomi Weatherald, 2003: Rachel Dawson

Lingo Award as the Spectators' Player of the Year
After each game, spectators vote on their Player of the Game. The top three vote-getters each week are recorded, then tabulated at the end of the season to determine the winner of the Lingo Award as the Spectators' Player of the Year.
Winners - 2002: Meredith Keller, 2003: Kelsey Keeran

Players' Player Award
For the selection of this award, the players vote for one of their peers, but it's not simply a popularity contest. The winner should be the player who represents Carolina with the most dedication, commitment and intensity, and embodies what it means to wear a Tar Heel uniform.
Winners - 2002: Meredith Keller, 2003: Kerry Falgowski

Practice Player of the Year Award
This award, new in 2003, goes to the player who maintains the highest level of intensity in practice throughout the year, helping to make her teammates better by keeping workouts as competitive as possible. Players are awarded points for winning practice competitions and/or making exceptional plays. Tabulations are kept throughout the year.
Winner - 2003: Kelsey Keeran

Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award
This award recognizes that individual who plays an integral part in the team's overall successes but receives little attention. The recipient is often a defensive workhorse who quietly does what it takes on a consistent basis.
This award is named for Marjorie Moses "Dee" Schwab, who also has endowed a scholarship for field hockey.
Winners -1994 Sharon Moore, 1995: Susannah Schott, 1996: Christy Utter, 1997: Joy Driscoll, 1998: Jana Toepel, 1999: Erin Cox, 2000: Susan Hayes, 2001: Susan Hayes, 2002: Alison Stewart, 2003: Kerry Falgowski

Keller Award for Open-Play Assists
This award is named in honor of Richard and Gail Keller, who have sent all three of their daughters to play for the Tar Heels and have been continuously involved in the program for the last 10 years.
This honor recognizes an unselfish player who sets up open-field goals for her teammates. The recipient must demonstrate outstanding skill, vision and decision-making in the offensive circle.
Winners - 2002: Meredith Keller, 2003: Kelsey Keeran

Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award
This award, established in honor of former chancellor Michael Hooker and his wife, Carmen, recognizes a Tar Heel who provides significant leadership throughout the season. Leadership by example is a Carolina tradition, and this individual inspires her teammates to perform at a higher level in practices and in games.
Winners - 1999: Nicole Frey, 2000: Jana Toepel, 2001: Susan Hayes, 2002: Stephanie Fuller, 2003: Carey Fetting-Smith

Anderson Mark of Excellence Most Valuable Player Award
This award is named to Tar Heel supporter Gene Anderson and is presented to a player who demonstrates outstanding skill, character, competitive drive, leadership and devotion to team goals. These traits are embodied by the individual that the coaches deem most valuable to team success.
Winners - 1994: Barb Hansen, 1995: Kim Schroll, 1996: Jana Withrow, 1997: Cindy Werley, 1998: Nancy Pelligreen, 1999: Jana Toepel, 2000: Kristen McCann, 2001: Abby Martin, 2002: Meredith Keller, 2003: Kelsey Keeran

UNC's national, conference and department award winners for the 2003 season:
All-America: Kelsey Keeran (first team), Laura Douglas (third team)
All-Southeast Region: Laura Douglas, Kelsey Keeran (first team); Rachel Dawson, Kerry Falgowski, Katy Tran (second team)
All-Atlantic Coast Conference: Laura Douglas, Kelsey Keeran
ACC Freshman of the Year: Rachel Dawson
All-ACC Tournament: Rachel Dawson, Karen Mann
NFHCA National Academic Squad: Amber Chambers, Rachel Dawson, Kerry Falgowski, Heather Kendell, Katy Tran
Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete Award: Kerry Falgowski
Letterwinners: Laree Beans, Amber Chambers, Rachel Dawson, Laura Douglas, Kerry Falgowski, Carey Fetting-Smith, Mary Havell, Ashley Judge, Kelsey Keeran, Karen Mann, Brooke Miller, Katy Potter, Katy Tran, Naomi Weatherald