2010
Sam Acho
Defensive End, University of Texas

The eyes of Texas and the rest of the U.S. were smiling on University of Texas Longhorns’ defensive end Sam Acho as he was announced as the 2010 recipient of the ARA Sportsmanship Award, presented by the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA).

“The ARA Sportsmanship Award is the only national award that recognizes an athlete’s character as it relates to sportsmanship,” said B.J. Bailey, president of the ARA.

The ARA Sportsmanship Award is presented to the NCAA Division I collegiate football player who most exemplifies sportsmanship on and off the field. Acho was selected from 10 finalists representing schools across the country. Previous winners are Kansas State University tight end, Jeron Mastrud (2009); Northwestern University receiver Eric Peterman (2008); Washington State quarterback Alex Brink (2007); Cincinnati Bengals fullback Brian Leonard (2006); and Carolina Panthers running back, DeAngelo Williams (2005).

“Led by Brigham Young University’s LaVell Edwards with Florida State’s Bobby Bowden and Texas Tech’s Spike Dykes, our blue ribbon panel of retired coaches and sports experts had their work cut out for them with so many outstanding candidates. This is our sixth year and we’re thrilled with the level of talented athletes that live and breathe good sportsmanship,” said Bailey.

“There’s no question that Acho was a standout, even in this extremely deep pool of athletes with a positive approach to the game and life,” said LaVell Edwards, former BYU head coach and ARA selection committee chair. His skills as a defensive end are justly earning him praises, but it was his lead-by-example behavior off the field that caught our attention. He’s an unselfish player and person willing to go above and beyond. It’s our honor to name him the 2010 recipient of the ARA Sportsmanship Award.”

The Dallas native, defensive end and senior is a double major in business (honors program) and marketing; earning academic and athletic accolades. Described by his coaches, fellow players and students as a competitor with class, motivator who’s humble and honest, and leader by example; he’s said to treat everyone with respect and integrity. He has praises and prayers for his team mates and opponents after games, gives credit to those around him and works with new players to carry on traditions.

Off the field Acho’s time and talents include traveling every summer with his brother and team mate Emmanuel, and father to Nigeria on family medical mission trips. He invites teammates along to help and give back. He has also given his time as a member or helping with the following organizations and causes including: UT's community service program; Dell Children's Medical Center; UT's Student Advisory Council; local homeless shelters; elementary and middle schools; Orange Santa program; teaching English; class government; Spanish Honor Society, and many more.

Acho's other awards include: 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team; 2010 Sporting News 20 Smartest Athletes in Sports; 2010 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist; 2010 Playboy Preseason All-America Team; 2009 ESPN The Magazine First-Team Academic All-American; 2009 Lott Trophy Semifinalist (nation's top defensive IMPACT player); 2010 Lombardi Award; Lott Trophy; Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy and Hendricks Award watch lists member 2010 UT Friar Society Two-time First-Team Academic All-District Two-time First-Team Academic All-Big 12.

Acho played in 42 career games (18 starts) and tallied 105 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 26 TFL, 30 pressures, seven PBD, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. He ranks 34th in the nation in TFL while helping the Texas defense rank second in the nation in total defense (227.8 ypg), sixth in passing defense (128.8 ypg), 20th in rushing defense (99.0 ypg) and tied for 33rd in scoring defense (18.0 ppg).

2009
Jeron Mastrud
Tight End, Kansas State University

Kansas State University Wildcats were walking tall with the announcement of their senior tight end, Jeron Mastrud, as recipient of this year’s ARA Sportsmanship Award. ARA Executive Director Dave Bergeson presented the annual award on Monday, December 21 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.

“Our Blue Ribbon panel of retired coaches and sports experts had a daunting task this year with so many outstanding Bowl Division candidates. In this, our fifth year, it was a very tight race and we’re encouraged by the caliber of athletes that live and breathe good sportsmanship,” said Former Brigham Young Coach LaVell Edwards.

“It was Mastrud’s unselfish, classy and service-oriented approach to the game and to life that made him stand out. He’s an extremely hard worker with a positive can-do attitude. I’m deeply honored to name him the 2009 recipient of the ARA Sportsmanship Award.”

With a strong work ethic for academics and football, 22-year old senior, Mastrud has been a team leader since his freshman year. Known for his humble approach toward coaches, teammates, opponents and the media, Mastrud was a 2009 First Team All-Big 12 selection who caught 21 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown during 2009. A team captain, Mastrud appeared in 48 of a possible 49 games during his Wildcat career, while he started a team-best 26 straight games to conclude his tenure in Manhattan. He averaged 11.4 yards a catch and 36.2 yards a game. Mastrud caught 106 passes for 1,219 yards and three touchdowns during his four-year career. His 106 receptions are tied for the 10th-most in K-State history, but tops among tight ends, while his 1,219 receiving yards rank second among tight ends in the school’s history. He also caught at least one pass in 26 straight games, the second-longest streak since 1990.

Earning a 3.81 GPA in business administration, Mastrud has earned high praises for his academic achievements as Second Team Academic All-American and one of 10 players nationally to earn Academic All-America honors in consecutive seasons. He also became the seventh player in school history to garner multiple Academic All-America accolades. A three-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 and All-District honoree, Mastrud was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team prior to his senior campaign and was a semifinalist for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy).

In addition to his academic achievements and football records, the Beaverton, Oregon native and son of a high school football coach, has shown his steadfast commitment to community service. He’s been heavily involved with: Cats for Cans food drive benefiting hunger relief in the greater Manhattan, Kansas area; Read to Achieve student-athlete partnership with a local elementary school; tornado clean up from a 2008 devastating storm; Walkin’ with a Wildcat mentoring program pairing middle school kids with K-State student athletes and, the Adopt-A-Family holiday program benefiting those in need during the holiday season.

The ARA Sportsmanship Award is presented to the NCAA Bowl Division collegiate football player who most exemplifies sportsmanship on and off the field. Mastrud was selected from 10 finalists representing schools across the country.

Previous winners are Northwestern University receiver Eric Peterman (2008); Washington State quarterback Alex Brink (2007); Cincinnati Bengals fullback Brian Leonard (2006); and Carolina Panthers running back, DeAngelo Williams (2005).

To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team; be a senior in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.

All NCAA Bowl Division schools were eligible to submit nominations for the ARA Sportsmanship Award. The finalists were selected in a blinded process by representatives from ARA; the winner was selected by a blue-ribbon panel comprised of famous retired college coaches, members of the sports media and representatives from other complementary organizations.

2008
Eric Peterman
Receiver, Northwestern University

Purple Pride ran deep with the announcement of Northwestern University’s receiver, Eric Peterman, as recipient of the 2008 ARA Sportsmanship Award, presented by the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA). The award was given December 17, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. by renowned Brigham Young University football coach LaVell Edwards at Northwestern University’s Nicolet Football Center at 1501 Central Street, Evanston, Ill.

“The ARA Sportsmanship Award is the only national award that recognizes an athlete’s character and leadership as it translates to sportsmanship,” said Cathy Garcia, president of the ARA. I am thrilled that this year’s winner continues our tradition of recognizing outstanding young men who exemplify the best in sports and life.”

“Our blue ribbon panel sifted through no shortage of stand out Bowl Division players this year,” said Coach Edwards, “but Peterman rose to the top with his honest, understated approach on and off the field. He’s an all-around class act. We’re all deeply honored to name him the 2008 recipient of the ARA Sportsmanship Award.

“We look for players that have integrity in their game and in their lives and there’s no finer example than Eric,” added Edwards.

A smart, versatile, standout receiver and significant contributor, Peterman has won athletic accolades and praises and, has earned impressive stats. The Wildcat owns a 12.6 yards per reception career average and began his final year ranked 16th on NU’s all-time receiving yardage list with 1, 274 yards.
Off of the field, he has made, and continues to make, an impact. He serves on the Northwestern Football Leadership Council and Student Athlete Advisory Council Committee; volunteers with community service events and departmental peer mentor programs; and is one of four representatives of the educational APPLE/athletic prevention program for improving substance abuse. He’s actively involved with the McCormick Student Advisory Board, as part of the School of Engineering, where he has a 3.229 GPA. He also is a member of the peer mentor group for the football team, Peers Urging Responsible Practices Through Leadership and Education. In addition, he is a member of and recruiter for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA); coordinating FCA member visits, signing autographs, speaking to children and assisting with weekly Bible studies. After every game, Peterman and other members of the team invite their opponents—win or lose—to come together in prayer. “I can think of no finer example for today’s youth,” says Edwards.

The ARA Sportsmanship Award is presented to the NCAA Bowl Division collegiate football player who most exemplifies sportsmanship on and off the field. Peterman, 22, was selected from 10 finalists representing schools across the country.

2007
Alex Brink
Quarterback, Washington State University

Washington State University quarterback Alex Brink, 22, a native of Eugene, Ore, was named recipient of the 2007 ARA Sportsmanship Award.

Washington State's Alex Brink, third from left, lifts the 2007 ARA Sportsmanship Award as the school's AD, Jim Sterk, LaVell Edwards, head of the ARA Blue Ribbon Selection Panel, and Ed Hunt, ARA president, look on.

The award was presented at a half-time ceremony during the Washington State-Citadel basketball game at Key Arena before a crowd of about 13,000 in Seattle last Dec. 20.

“There was no shortage of stellar candidates this year across Division I,” said Ed Hunt, ARA’s 2007-2008 president. “We’re encouraged by the volume and caliber of candidates, but Alex Brink was our stand out, he lives and breathes good sportsmanship and we are honored to name him the 2007 recipient of our award.”

“We look for players that truly make a difference in whatever they do and Alex is our guy,” commented LaVell Edwards, former Brigham Young University head football coach. As chair of the ARA Sportsmanship Award selection committee, Edwards presented Alex with the award.

 “He’s smart, poised, positive and gracious with his teammates, coaches, the media, fans, teachers and the community he serves. He leads his team with class on campus and in the community,” explained Edwards. “He’s wise beyond his years and someone young kids can and should look up to.” 

The ARA Sportsmanship Award is presented to the NCAA Division 1 collegiate football player who most exemplifies sportsmanship on and off the field. Brink, 22, was selected from 10 finalists representing schools across the country. Previous winners are Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (2005) and St. Louis Rams running back Brian Leonard (2006).

“There’s a lot of people (at WSU) to thank,” Brink said at a press conference prior to the game, where he showed his strength by lifting the 125-pound award, adding that “but a lot of it goes back to my mom, a kindergarten teacher in Oregon. She always taught me academics and doing the right thing, and that being a good person off the field, were the most important things.”

In his remarks at the press conference, Edwards noted that “I was reading through the recommendations, and, just reading through them, I had a very strong feeling this was the guy I wanted if I could make the selection myself.”

2006
Brian Leonard
Fullback, Rutgers University

Brian Leonard was a five-year member of the Scarlet Knights football team and was honored with a Heisman trophy bid. Sports Illustrated called Brian one of “the most underrated players,” thanks to his abilities as a tenacious blocker and a threat to run or catch the ball from the backfield. He’s considered one of the nation’s premier fullbacks, and was a critical element in the renaissance of Rutgers’ football program. He rushed for 2,731 yards and 1,862 receiving yards during his college career.

In his time at Rutgers, his academic accomplishments were noticed as well; he was named to ESPN magazine’s Academic All-District 2 Football Team, was a three-time member of the Big East All-Academic Team and the All-American first team assembled by Pro Football Weekly, and also won the Draddy Trophy.

He’s also a leader and shows good sportsmanship off the field, as evidenced by his commitment to reaching out to kids, visiting them in hospitals, speaking at football camps and reading to them in schools. He is truly a hero in this community.

In his nomination application, it was noted that Leonard’s humility became evident in his first full season of action, during which he exploded onto the national scene by being selected freshman All-American and Big East Freshman of the Year by several publications.  When asked by a reporter why he credits everyone but himself for his individual success, Brian said, “my parents brought me up to be modest. I don’t mind talking to the media at all, but I just like talking about my team.”

Brian was the overall 52nd pick during the recent NFL draft and now plays for the St. Louis Rams.

2005
DeAngelo Williams
Running Back, University of Memphis
DeAngelo Williams, currently playing for the NFL on the Carolina Panthers, was a four-year member of the Tiger football team at the University of Memphis. He was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award, as well as the Walter Camp Award. He started 29 of 38 games as a tailback for the Tigers, and he’s also lined up at quarterback to accept the direct snap for a rush when needed.

In three straight games, Williams rushed for 200-plus yards, becoming the only Conference USA player to rush for 200 or more yards in three consecutive games. Williams is primed to become one of the top five running backs in NCAA history and is on pace to also break into the top five in all-purpose yards.

But that’s just on the field. He’s also a leader and shows good sportsmanship off the field, as evidenced by his role as an ambassador for both the Memphis football program and for the university.

In his nomination application, it was noted that Williams shows respect in everything he does. He is always complimentary of his opponent, his coaches and his teammates, no matter the circumstance. Coach Tommy West often used Williams as an example to younger players to show them that if it wasn’t for others, you wouldn’t have the opportunity you have.

One of the words used to describe integrity is “complete,” and that is how his coaches often describe Williams. He is the total player who has athletic ability, a strong work ethic and is dedicated to the classroom and to the community off the field.