Blue-Gold and Panther Awards given to athletes

Athletes are used to being recognized for accomplishments in their sports, but Sunday… Athletes are used to being recognized for accomplishments in their sports, but Sunday night, Pitt honored its student-athletes for other achievements as well.

The Blue-Gold and Panther Awards, which have been presented to student-athletes since the 1949-1950 school year, were just two of the many given out at the annual Eyetooth Celebration at the Petersen Events Center. The Blue-Gold Award honors graduating students who have achieved excellence all-around in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership and citizenship. This year’s recipients were Nikki Borza from the women’s tennis team, swimmer Mike Grube and wrestler Carl Fronhofer.

The Panther Awards are given to graduating seniors who have excelled in athletics during their tenure at Pitt. This year’s winners were Brandin Knight, of the men’s basketball team, football player Gerald Hayes, and Carrie Norris, of the women’s volleyball team.

These six student-athletes will have their accomplishments captured forever with their names embedded in the Varsity Walk, which is the walkway between the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel.

Also handed out was the David Sandberg Champion Award named in honor of David Sandberg, who was a Pitt wrestler and then the team’s assistant coach until he passed away suddenly on Jan. 29. The award is presented to a senior who displays a dedication to both academics and athletics and is committed to improving both the University and its surrounding communities. This year’s Sandberg Award winner was wrestler James Thornton, a civil engineering major.

The women’s gymnastics team won honors for top academics both among women’s sports and overall while men’s swimming and diving took honors for the men’s teams. Men’s basketball was named the most improved academic team. Individual athletes were honored as the most valuable in their respective sports while others were recognized for achievements during the season.