12-06-03 Graceland University Football Players Recognized at Banquet
On Saturday, December 6, the Graceland Yellowjacket football team reflected on the 2003 season at the awards banquet held in the Floyd M. McDowell Commons on the Lamoni campus.
The pregame began with a welcome by Director of Athletics Dan Hanton and the invocation from Assistant Head Coach Alan Dykens. The coin toss by Captains Alan Linden and Anthony Rozier determined the order in which the guests lined up to eat during the first quarter of the evening.
 Jeff Criswell |
 Dan Hanton |
The second quarter began with comments from Jeff Criswell, Graceland University Football Alumni Club president and former Kansas City Chiefs football player. Hanton and Head Football Coach Cris Welch ended the second quarter with comments about the 2003 season.
For the halftime entertainment Tight Ends Coach Craig Foster presented a highlight video comprised of game footage and still shots from the season.
The third quarter focused on various awards for the season. Conference Player of the Week awards were presented to Tony Ingram, Craig Hidy and Danny Laguna. Laguna was also recognized for a National Player of the Week award. Eleven players were given Heart of America Athletic Conference certificates: Dante Johnson, Craig Hidy, Michael Richardson, Anthony Rozier, Alan Linden, Ryan King, Reggie Cox, Jayson Blocker, Tom Campos, Julius Strong and Danny Laguna.
 Danny Laguna |
 Alan Linden |
 Dante Johnson |
 Ryan King |
 Justin Nave |
 Craig Hidy |
 Julius Strong |
 Manny Espinoza |
 Anthony Rozier |
 Bob Heldenbrand |
 Tom Campos |
 Michael Richardson |
Team awards were given as follows: Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Justin Nave; Outstanding Receiver: Dante Johnson; Outstanding Offensive Back: Julius Strong; Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Alan Linden; Outstanding Linebacker: Craig Hidy; Outstanding Defensive Back: Ryan King; Outstanding Special Teams Player: Danny Laguna; Outstanding Newcomer: Julius Strong; Scout Team Player of the Year: Manuel Espinoza; Most Improved Player: Craig Hidy; Most Inspirational: Alan Linden; Doc Hughes Homecoming Offensive MVP: Dante Johnson; Doc Hughes Homecoming Defensive MVP: Craig Hidy; Team Captain Awards: Alan Linden, Anthony Rozier; Most Valuable Player: Tom Campos.
 Jayson Blocker |
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 Team Captains Anthony Rozier and Alan Linden |
 Homecoming MVPs Dante Johnson and Craig Hidy |
Senior Jayson Blocker received the Yellowjacket Alumni Pride Award, the Howard Brunner Teamwork Award and the Top Academic Achievement Award.
The Yellowjacket Alumni Pride Award is presented annually to a member of the Graceland University Yellowjacket football program who demonstrates the qualities of a gentleman both on and off the field. He prioritizes the importance of faith and family, academics and football, while illustrating flexibility within his life. He shows compassion for others courageously stands for what others believe in, exhibits honesty with himself and others, demonstrates initiative, displays loyalty, optimism and trustworthiness, models an example for others to follow and respects each individual, the program and the institution.
The Howard Brunner Teamwork award is presented annually by the coaching staff to the Graceland football player who best demonstrates the qualities most admired in Howard: Loyalty to the program, a commitment to the team concept over the individual, and a desire to do even the little things well.
The fourth quarter gave tribute to the 2003-04 seniors. The ten seniors were presented their helmets from the season and gave farewell speeches to the team.
 Jayson Blocker |
 Alan Linden |
 Adam Orr |
 Aaron Sharky |
 Christian Yetter |
The 2003 seniors include: Jayson Blocker, Tom Campos,Alan Linden, Aaron Sharky, Coach Cris Welch, Adam Orr, Christian Yetter, Miguel Paredes, Shawn Pylypiw, Adrian Hernandez. Not pictured: Troy Rider
The night ended as a win, with the team singing the Graceland fight song, followed by a team breakdown.
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