Marshall University Athletics
Basketball Seniors Say Goodbye
4/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Basketball Seniors Say Goodbye
4/19/2002
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- Marshall?s four senior men?s basketball players took center stage for the final time Thursday night at the annual men?s basketball banquet in the Marshall Memorial Student Center.
J.R. VanHoose, Tamar Slay, Latece Wiliams, and William Butler gave thanks to the fans, their families, Marshall staff members, and their coaches for playing what they deemed as an important role in their lives. Each of Marshall?s seniors talked about their love for the university and the program as they addressed the crowd of more than 200 supporters and well wishers.
?There have been some hard times and some great times, but I wouldn?t change anything,? Slay said. ?When I came here I was a boy, now I am a man.?
?I love Marshall University,? VanHoose said. ?These last four years have been very special to me and I hope the friendships I have made here will last a lifetime.?
Slay and VanHoose, the Thundering Herd?s two four year seniors, took home several team awards, however a surprise presentation to coach Greg White drew the biggest applause of the evening. After the player awards were presented, Slay and VanHoose presented White with a plaque bearing a photo of themselves and an inscription of appreciation.
White fought back tears as he addressed the crowd at the close - stating that despite the team?s 15-15 record they were winners. ?I judge winners on a lot more than just the number of wins and losses. This team overcame adversity time and again and never quit or complained about the hand they were dealt. They are winners on and off the court.?
According to White, all four of Marshall?s seniors are on course to graduate this fall.
Over the past four years Slay and VanHoose have helped Marshall to wins over the likes of Dayton, Georgia, UMass, West Virginia, and Detroit.
The duo also brought to Marshall national recognition with VanHoose earning Academic All-America honors this past season, and Slay being named a Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 player, in addition to many other honors and awards. Thursday they added more hardware to their trophy cases by taking six of 12 team awards - including the Walt Walowac Most Outstanding Player Award which went to Slay.
2002 Men?s Basketball Awards
Walt Walowac Most Outstanding Player - Tamar Slay
Leo Byrd Thoroughbred Award - J.R. VanHoose
Cebe Price Most Courageous Award - William Butler
Most Improved Player - Ardo Armpalu
Whitey Wilson Student-Athlete - J.R. VanHoose and Joe Dressel
Hal Greer Field Goal Percentage Award - J.R. VanHoose (51.5%)
Charlie Slack Rebounding Award - J.R. VanHoose (10.6 rpg)
Russell Lee Leading Scorer Award - Ronald Blackshear (19.6 ppg)
George Stone Free Throw Percentage Award - Ronald Blackshear (80.2%)
Keith Veney Three Point Shooting Percentage Award - Ronald Blackshear (45.6%)
Mike D?Antoni Playmaker Award - Monty Wright (84 assists)
Jeff Battle Steals Award - Tamar Slay (49 steals)
