INSPIRATIONAL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
LONG BEACH, CA-- The Department of Athletics at Long Beach State announced today the three award winners for the Hall of Fame Inspirational Awards and the Fran Schaafsma Academic Award winner, which will be presented at the Annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach.
Winning the Lynn Hoyem Leadership Award is track & field athlete Kashus Perona (Rialto). Winning the Todd Hart Courage Award is women’s volleyball athlete Mariah Marquis (Huntington Beach) and winning the Bill Bovee Determination Award is women’s basketball star Jackie Moore (Long Beach). Women’s Volleyball player Keri Nishimoto (Redlands) was the winner of the Fran Schaafsma Academic Award. Student-athletes were nominated for the individual awards by their coaches and the voting was conducted by the SAR Senior Staff.
The Lynn Hoyem Leadership Award is presented to a senior class athlete who exemplifies leadership qualities in athletics. The award reads: “As an athlete, an individual and a leader, Lynn’s life reflected the finest qualities and the true uniqueness of being a Long Beach 49er. His great warmth, humor, character and thoughtfulness never wavered throughout his many personal accomplishments. He remains an inspiration to all those whose lives he touched.”
Perona competed on both the 49er indoor and outdoor track and field squads, competing in the 200 meter and 400 meter sprints and relay teams. A two-time selection as team captain, Perona was the 2001 Big West Champion in the 400 meters with a time of 46.21. He also was a member of the second place 400 meter relay squad. In 2000 he won the MPSF Indoor title in the 400 meters and was the runner-up in the 200 meters. He was voted team MVP this past season and was the 2001 Cal/Nevada State Championships Co-track Athlete of the Meet.
The Todd Hart Courage Award is presented to an athlete who best exemplifies courage. The award reads: “Todd displayed true courage and moments of greatness often found away from the bright lights and playing fields. He faced his challenge and turned adversity into an opportunity to let his courage serve as a daily inspiration to Long Beach State athletes and young men and women everywhere.”
Marquis spent three years with the 49er women's volleyball team and endured three reconstructive knee surgeries. In her first year at Long Beach State, 1998, she appeared in 9 matches before missing the rest of the season due to injuring her right knee. The 49ers won the NCAA title that season. The next spring she tore the ACL in her left leg and missed the entire 1999 season. After months of hard work and rehabilitation, she was able to come back and play her senior season in 2000 and help lead the 49ers to an NCAA Regional appearance.
The Bill Bovee Determination Award honors a senior student-athlete for showing a determination above and beyond our expectations. The award reads: “Always determined in maximizing his athletic talents to their highest potential, he was courageous in facing life’s ultimate adversity. Bill’s dignity and unyielding determination will always be remembered, loved and admired by his countless friends.”
Jackie Moore exemplified great courage and determination during her four years at Long Beach State. In 2001, Moore was selected as the Big West Conference Player of the Year in women’s basketball and was a second round selection in the WNBA Draft by Portland. Moore was the final player cut by Portland and then signed a contract to play basketball overseas in Israel. Moore earned her degree in four years, all the while playing basketball and, most importantly, raising her daughter, who was born prior to her freshman year.
The Fran Schaafsma Academic Award is given each year to a deserving female student-athlete who has shown academic excellence, as well as athletic excellence. Schaafsma was the head women’s volleyball coach at Long Beach State from 1964-1970, accumulating a career mark of 68-21. She also was the head women’s basketball coach from 1962-1979, recording a career mark of 208-73 in her 17 seasons. In 1975-76 the 49ers went 18-7 and finished in 6th place at the AIAW National Tournament.
Nishimoto, a four-year letterwinner for The Beach, was a third team Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-America selection last year and a first team Academic All-District pick. In 1999 she led the nation in assists, and set a new school record, by averaging 14.58 assists per game in leading the 49ers to the Final Four. She was selected second team All-Big West in 1999 and is a three-time academic all-conference selection. |
