University of Tennessee Athletics
Munoz Takes Home Woody Hayes National Scholar Athlete Award
January 12, 2005 | Football
Jan. 12, 2005
Senior offensive tackle Michael Munoz was named one of six winners of the 18th Annual Woody Hayes National Scholar Athlete Award as given by the University & Northwest Sertoma Club of Columbus, Ohio.
Munoz received the Division I award for men, while Jennifer Reck of the University of Virginia was given the Division I women's award. Other winners included Brian Castagna, Bentley College (D.2. man); Lindsay Hinson, Wingate University (D.2. woman); Paul Whiting, Amherst College (D.3. man); and Tara Schmitt, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, (D.3. woman).
The six winners hold a combined GPA of 3.82 in political science and public administration, commerce, computer information services, biology, neuroscience and physical education.
Two of the six participated in three sports and as a group, they played football, baseball, soccer and basketball; ran track; and participated in swimming and rowing. Captains in all of these sports, they hold 93 titles including all-conference, gold medalist, national champion, etc.
Sixty-four campus and community organizations - including children's hospitals, Habitat for Humanity and tutoring programs - have benefited from the volunteer time of the six winners.
"These honors are a living memorial to Coach Woody Hayes for demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics and community service," explained Eric Parks, event co-chair. "Woody would be proud of this group."
The awards will be presented on Jan. 28 during a dinner at the Villa Milano restaurant, 1620 Schrock Rd., Columbus.
Munoz was dominant from the start. At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, he was named Freshman All-America in 2000 by The Sporting News and Rivals.com. He started all 46 games in which he played and was elected co-captain of the 2003 and 2004 teams. Despite a series of injuries, he finished the 2004 season with 55 intimidation blocks and was named SEC Lineman of the Week for his game against Louisiana Tech. He was selected to the 2004 NCAA Consensus All-America team, having made all star squads as selected by the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, and Walter Camp Foundation.
The winner of the 2004 Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, Munoz graduated with a degree in political science in the Fall and has been a regular member of the University's Dean's List with a 3.67 GPA. He was also a member of the 2002 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He speaks at schools and churches in the Knoxville area. He participated in a Red Cross Relief Fund, a softball home run derby and yearly hospital visits. Munoz has served as an instructor with a Boys and Girls Club Camp and has participated in Camp Kionia, a camp for children with special needs.
