University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols' Berry to Receive Two Awards Saturday
February 06, 2009 | Football
Feb. 6, 2009
Tennessee safety Eric Berry will be in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday to receive the Vince Dooley Award for the Top Defensive Back in the Southeast presented by The Touchdown Club of Atlanta. The awards ceremony will take place at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts and begin at 8 p.m. ET.
The Fairburn, Ga., native led the NCAA with seven interceptions last season and was third on the team with 72 tackles. He also posted a Southeastern Conference-record 265 interception return yards.
Berry will have the unique honor of presenting the Bobby Dodd Award to the national high school back of the year. Berry won the same award after his senior season at Creekside High School in 2006.
Twelve different Vols have received awards from the organization since 1940. Aaron Sears was the last athlete to earn recognition as the 2006 Southeast Offensive Lineman of the Year. The last Tennessee defensive player to win an award was Deon Grant in 1999.
The Touchdown Club of Atlanta originated in 1938 with the selection of the Southeast Player of the Year. Since 1945, a back and a lineman were chosen as co-recipients of the regional awards. Beginning in 1980, both an offensive and defensive lineman and back were selected.
TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF COLUMBUS SELECTS Eric Berry FOR TATUM AWARD
The Touchdown Club of Columbus has named Tennessee strong safety Eric Berry the winner of the 2008 Jack Tatum Award. The prestigious award, named for Ohio State and NFL legend Jack Tatum, is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football. Berry is the first Vol to ever win the Tatum Award.
Tennessee Assistant Athletics Director Condredge Holloway will make the trip to Columbus to accept the award on Berry's behalf.
The Jack Tatum Award will be presented during the 54th Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet on Saturday at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in the Arena District of Downtown Columbus.
