Colorado State University Athletics
2003-04 Athletic Award Winners Announced
8/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Colorado State University announced its awards for the top student-athletes from the 2003-04 academic year. Track and field star John Woods was named the ?Fum? McGraw Award winner, while golf standout Martin Laird and football phenom Bradlee Van Pelt were co-winners of the Nye Trophy Award and track & field standout Loree Smith won the Virginia K. Frank Award. Laird was also named the male scholar-athlete while track & field star Christine Ahn was presented the women?s scholar-athlete winner.
The ?Fum? McGraw Award is presented annually to the student-athlete who best exemplifies academic and athletic excellence, character, leadership, service, concern for others and unwavering Ram pride. The award recognizes those characteristic that best defined the spirit and essence of Thurman ?Fum? McGraw (1927-2000).
This season, Woods earns the award. Woods became the first Colorado State All-American in the outdoor 200 meters since the 1950?s and became the first-ever All-American in the sprints in indoor school history. He broke his own school record at the NCAA Championships in June, running a 20.55 in the 200 meters. He also broke the 60 meter indoor record, running a 6.69 and the indoor 200 meter record at 21.14. Woods won the Nye Trophy in 2002 after breaking the school records in the 60, 100 and 200 meters.
Laird and Van Pelt share the Nye Trophy, which is presented to the most outstanding male athlete at Colorado State. The award is named in honor of Col. E.L. Nye and his brother, Dr. William Nye, the trophy?s original sponsors. Laird was also presented with the men?s scholar-athlete award after graduating with a degree in business administration.
Laird was a Third-Team All-American last season after setting the school record in stroke per round average. He tied his own school record twice during the season, shooting rounds of 64 at both the 2004 Cougar Classic and the 2004 Mountain West Conference Championship. Laird won four individual tournaments during his career, including one as a senior. He was also a 2004 Academic All-District selection.
Van Pelt was a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, the first in school history to win back-to-back awards. He also played in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl and is now a member of the Denver Broncos. Van Pelt led the team in rushing with 909 yards and 10 touchdowns and threw for 2,845 yards and 19 touchdowns. He became just the fourth quarterback in I-A history to throw for over 5,000 career yards and rush for more than 2,000.
The Virginia K. Frank Award, presented to the most outstanding female athlete at Colorado State goes to Smith. Criteria for the award includes displaying team leadership, unity and sportsmanship, as well as representing CSU in regional or national competition.
Smith was an All-American in the hammer throw and was the NCAA Regional Champion as well as the Mountain West Champion. She holds the Mountain West and CSU record in the hammer and also advanced to the NCAA Championship in the discus throw after winning the Mountain West title. Smith was named the 2004 NCAA Mountain Region Athlete of the Year and placed ninth at the Olympic Trials in the hammer throw. She also won the Gold medal at the NACAC (North American-Central American-Caribbean) Championships and has one year of eligibility remaining at Colorado State.
The women?s scholar-athlete award was presented to Ahn, who graduated in May with a perfect 4.0 grade point average in Psychology. Ahn is the indoor and outdoor school record holder in the pole vault and was a first-team Academic All-American this season after spending three years on the Academic All-District squad. Ahn owns the indoor pole vault record at 12-6.25, while her outdoor record stands at 12-9.5.
