(L to R: Dr. Bill Marcum, Ross Hilton, and Greg Wagner, '07)On Thursday night the Wake Forest men's rugby team held its annual year end awards banquet in the newly constructed Deacon Tower at BB&T Field. Players, coaches, alumni, and supporters gathered to bid farewell to the departing seniors, honor those players who had standout years on the field, and look back on the past season and forward to next year. The night began with the graduating seniors receiving plaques and alumni jerseys as recognition for all the work they put in over the past four years. Gabe Huertas del Pino, Perry Salvagne, Trent Justice, Ken Forte, David Sage, Mike Wills, Christian Jewett, and Mike Duffy will be graduating in May and moving on to life after Wake Forest. Also graduating will be RI Smith, who served as the team's publicity director and videographer for the past two years. All nine of these individuals contributed greatly to the team during their time at Wake Forest and they will be missed.
The team then gave out individual awards to players who had standout seasons on the field. As voted on by the players, Ty Pierce was named most improved player, Johnny McMurray was named Rookie of the Year, Ross Hilton and Trent Justice were named co-Defensive Players of the Year, Brendan Shea was named Offensive Player of the Year, and Mike Duffy was voted the team's Most Valuable Player.
The night continued with the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation awarding its first ever scholarship. The Marcum Scholarship, named for the team's current faculty advisor Dr. Bill Marcum, will be given annually to a current member of the Wake Forest men's rugby program who is entering his final year of collegiate eligibility. It is awarded to someone who has exhibited a commitment to excellence on the rugby field and in the classroom during his time with the program. Greg Wagner, '07, a member of the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation Board of Directors and a member of the Marcum Scholarship Committee, was on hand to present the inaugural award to Ross Hilton. Hilton will graduate this May with honors in Mathematics and will be continuing at Wake Forest for a graduate degree next year. He has been a three year starter at lock, a two time North Carolina Rugby Union College All-Star, and was elected team president for next season.
Finally, the team honored assistant coach Alex Lucas, who will be leaving the team next year to pursue a Ph.D. at Ohio State University. Lucas, a Zimbabwe native who formerly captained the Zimbabwe U-19 team and spent four years as a strength and conditioning coach with the Natal Sharks, coached the team the past two years and really helped elevate the players' skill levels and fitness levels. His expertise was invaluable and he will be sorely missed next year.
The team then gave out individual awards to players who had standout seasons on the field. As voted on by the players, Ty Pierce was named most improved player, Johnny McMurray was named Rookie of the Year, Ross Hilton and Trent Justice were named co-Defensive Players of the Year, Brendan Shea was named Offensive Player of the Year, and Mike Duffy was voted the team's Most Valuable Player.
The night continued with the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation awarding its first ever scholarship. The Marcum Scholarship, named for the team's current faculty advisor Dr. Bill Marcum, will be given annually to a current member of the Wake Forest men's rugby program who is entering his final year of collegiate eligibility. It is awarded to someone who has exhibited a commitment to excellence on the rugby field and in the classroom during his time with the program. Greg Wagner, '07, a member of the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation Board of Directors and a member of the Marcum Scholarship Committee, was on hand to present the inaugural award to Ross Hilton. Hilton will graduate this May with honors in Mathematics and will be continuing at Wake Forest for a graduate degree next year. He has been a three year starter at lock, a two time North Carolina Rugby Union College All-Star, and was elected team president for next season.
Finally, the team honored assistant coach Alex Lucas, who will be leaving the team next year to pursue a Ph.D. at Ohio State University. Lucas, a Zimbabwe native who formerly captained the Zimbabwe U-19 team and spent four years as a strength and conditioning coach with the Natal Sharks, coached the team the past two years and really helped elevate the players' skill levels and fitness levels. His expertise was invaluable and he will be sorely missed next year.
Awards:
Mike Duffy - MVP
Brendan Shea - Offensive Player of the Year
Ross Hilton and Trent Justice - Co-Defensive Players of the Year
John McMurray - Rookie of the Year
Tyre Pierce - Most Improved Player
Ross Hilton - Marcum Scholarship
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