April 9, 2007
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh Athletics department handed out its highest honors this evening at the Senior Awards Banquet held at the William Pitt Union on the Pitt Campus.
The Blue-Gold Awards are given to the seniors who represent the student-athletes ideal based on academic scholarship, athletic achievement, leadership qualities and citizenship. The female Blue-Gold awardee was Kristin Brown (East Berlin, Pa./Bermudian Springs). Brown, a two-year captain, was honored as a 2006-07 Big East/Aeropostale Swimming and Diving Student-Athlete of the Year and a two-time 200 freestyle Big East Champion. Brown also earned the Faculty of Arts and Science Dean's Award and the College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Studies Award. The male Blue-Gold recipient was Tyler Palko (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) of the football team. Palko finished his career ranked second all-time at Pitt in total offense and TD passes. He was a two-time All-Big East selection and distinguished himself in the community being named to the AFCA's Good Works Team and a Division I-A Coca Cola Community All-American.
The Panther Award is presented to the graduating senior athlete who has promoted Pitt athletics through his/her outstanding athletic achievements. The first Panther award winner was Julianna Reed (Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton) of the track and field team. Reed is a two-time NCAA qualifier, who earned All-America honors last season in the 400-meter hurdles. She also set the school record in the 400-meter hurdles and the indoor 800-meter relay. The second Panther Award honoree was H.B. Blades (Plantation, Fla./Plantation). Blades earned first team All-America status and ranked among the nation's top five defenders in both tackles and solo tackles. He was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was a three-time first-team All-Big East selection. The final Panther Award winner was Aaron Gray (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus). A consensus national player of the year finalist, Gray was also a two-time All-Big East First Team selection. In addition, he earned the 2006-07 Big East/Aeropostale Men's Basketball Student-Athlete of the Year distinction.
The David Sandberg Champion award was founded in 2003 in memory of the former Pitt wrestler and assistant coach. The award is given to a senior that best represents the qualities David personified at the University - a dedication to academic and athletic excellence, with an unyielding spirit and passionate commitment to the improvement of the University of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. This year's David Sandberg Champion award winner was Levon Kendall (Vancouver, British Columbia/Kitsilano). A fifth year senior and four-year letterwinner, Kendall started 75 games, scored 527 points and grabbed 255 rebounds in his career. Kendall graduated last summer with a degree in anthropology.
The 2007 Seniors of Distinction include varsity student-athletes who have made outstanding contributions in the athletic arena. This year's honorees include: Azadeh Boroumand (women's volleyball), Kareem Cousar (men's track and field), Adam Graessle (football), Antonio Graves (men's basketball), Andrea Arlotta (gymnastics), Andrea Shoust (women's swimming and diving) and Andrew Sheaff (men's swimming and diving).
Seniors honored with either the Blue-Gold or Panther Award become part of the Varsity Walk on Pitt's campus between the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel. There, embedded in the stones, are the names of former Pitt student-athletes who have promoted the University through their athletic or academic achievements.
