Volf Golf Gets Honors and Laughs at Volscars

April 23, 2014

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee men's golf team racked up the honors and the laughs at Monday night's Eighth Annual Volscars at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The men's golf team put together a parody Butch Jones press conference video as part of the entertainment at the 2014 Volscars that can be viewed above.

The Vol Golf program took home the awards for Male Scholar Team of the Year (highest team GPA) and Assistant Coach of the Year (Casey VanDamme).

Sophomore Oliver Goss was nominated for both Rookie of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year and sophomore Chad Merzbacher was nominated for the Mr. Tennessee Big Orange Heart Award. The men's golf team was nominated for Men's Team of the Year.

Here's a look at the rest of the award winners:

Male Best Supporting Role

This award goes to the male and female student- who are each the "unsung hero" of their teams. These high impact student-athletes do not receive much credit or recognition, but are crucial to their teams' success.

NOMINEES: Hunter Reese (Tennis), Josh Richardson (Basketball), Carl Svagerko (Swimming & Diving), Daniel Tobin (Track & Field)
WINNER: Josh Richardson

SEC All-Defensive Team selection enjoyed a breakout year as he started all 37 games for the Vols, averaging 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting .340 from 3-point range ·

In addition to being Tennessee's third-leading scorer, he led the team in free-throw percentage (.793), ranked second on the team in steals (27) and was third in blocks (30)

Female Best Supporting Role

NOMINEES: Nikki Brice (Volleyball), Melissa Brown (Softball), Cierra Burdick (Basketball), Daeun Song (Golf), Kata Szekely (Tennis)
WINNER: Cierra Burdick

Named to the SEC All-Tournament Team after averaging 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, helping the Lady Vols capture the SEC Tournament Championship. ·

Named SEC player of the week after averaging 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block in crucial victories over Arkansas and Alabama.

Best Supporting Staff Member

This award is given to the person who is the battery of the coach. Without the help of this person, the coach would have a difficult time. He/She has a tremendous impact on the coach, as well as the team. This person can be a sport administrator, manager, academic counselor, athletic trainer, etc.

NOMINEES: Greig Cryer (Academic Counselor- Women's Golf/Football), Kristen Martin (Team ENHANCE/EXCEL Coordinator), Karla Sass (Director of Operations- Rowing), Nicodemus Christopher (Strength and Conditioning- Golf), Angie Keck (Associate Athletic Director for Business/Internal Affairs)
WINNER: Greig Cryer

Assistant Coach Of Year

NOMINEES: Rachel Cooper (Volleyball), Russ Johnson (Track and Field), Casey VanDamme (Men's Golf), Chris Woodruff (Men's Tennis)
WINNER: Casey VanDamme

Semi-finalist for Jan Strickland Award presented by Taylor-Made ADIDAS Golf (leader in developing athletes on the course and in the classroom).

Men's Rookie of The Year

This award goes to the 1st year student-athlete (first year in competition, which includes any transfer student-athletes) who showed outstanding work ethic and performance and played a significant role on the team.

NOMINEES: Oliver Goss (Golf), Vincent Jackson (Baseball), Marquez North (Football), Luke Percy (Swimming & Diving) Cameron Sutton (Football)
WINNER: Marquez North

Named to the 2013 Freshman All-SEC team, won the SEC Freshman of the Week award, and was named a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets.

Appeared in 11 games as a freshman, finished with 38 catches for 496 yards and a touchdown.

Women's Rookie of The Year

NOMINEES: Andraya Carter (Basketball) Katie King (Rowing), Heather Lundstrum (Swimming & Diving), Felecia Majors (Track & Field)
WINNER: Felecia Majors

Finished 5th at the SEC championships in the 200 & 400 meter. Ranks 3rd All-Time in UT history in both events after her freshman year.

Qualified for the NCAA Championships and placed 13th in the 200 meters.

Howard Aldmon Volunteer Award

This award goes to leading female Volunteer in terms of community service.

WINNER: Erin Gibbemeyer (Rowing)

Male Volunteer Award

This award goes to leading male Volunteer in terms of community service.

WINNER: Eric Freeman (Baseball)

Inspirational Awards

WINNERS: Mauricio Robles (Swimming & Diving) & Sean Karl (Men's Tennis)

Helen B. Watson Scholar Of The Year

This award goes to female with the highest cumulative GPA.

WINNER: Linda Hadfield (Track & Field)

Male Scholar Of The Year

This award goes to male with the highest cumulative GPA.

WINNER: J.R. Creekmore (Track & Field)

Women's Scholar Team Of The Year

This award goes to female team with the highest cumulative GPA.

WINNER: Women's Tennis

Male Scholar Team Of The Year

This award goes to male team with the highest cumulative GPA.

WINNER: Men's Golf

Big Orange Cup Award

This award goes to team with the highest number of community service hours.

WINNER: Women's Rowing

Men's Head Coach of The Year

This award goes to the coaches with the best year-end results

NOMINEES: Butch Jones (Football), Matt Kredich (Swimming & Diving), Cuonzo Martin (Basketball), Sam Winterbottom (Tennis)
WINNER: Cuonzo Martin

Led team to the Sweet 16, marking the team's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011. The team compiled an overall record of 24-13.

Finalist for the Ben Jobe award, awarded to the top minority Men's Basketball coach in the country.

Women's Head Coach of The Year

This award goes to the coaches with the best year-end results

NOMINEES: Matt Kredich (Swimming & Diving), Holly Warlick (Basketball), Ralph Weekly & Karen Weekly (Softball)
WINNER: Ralph Weekly & Karen Weekly

Ralph & Karen Weekly- Softball

Compiled a 52-12 overall record overall, advanced to the national championship series to Oklahoma.

Named the NFCA Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

Men's Team of The Year

This award goes to the teams that demonstrated the highest level of athletic achievement and year-end results during the past year.

NOMINEES: Basketball, Golf, Swimming & Diving, Tennis
WINNER: Basketball

Finished the season by reaching the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

Compiled a 24-13 overall record for the year.

Ranked 23rd in the Final USA Today Coaches Poll

Women's Team of The Year

This award goes to the teams that demonstrated the highest level of athletic achievement and year-end results during the past year.

NOMINEES: Basketball, Softball, Swimming & Diving
WINNER: Softball

Advanced to the National Championship series, finishing second in the nation.

Finished the season with a 52-12.

Male Athlete Of The Year

This award is given to the student-athlete who has the largest impact on his/her team and has achieved a high level of success within the SEC and/or nationally.

NOMINEES: Jake Blankenship (Track & Field), Oliver Goss (Golf), Sean Lehane (Swimming & Diving), Mikelis Libietis, Hunter Reese (Tennis), Jordan McRae (Basketball), Michael Palardy (Football), Jarnell Stokes (Basketball).
WINNER: Mikelis Libietis, Hunter Reese (Tennis)

Became the fourth UT doubles team in program history to rise to a No.1 doubles ranking.

Went 10-0 during conference play, and reached the second round of the NCAA Doubles Tournament. Their second round appearance was good enough to earn the duo All-American status.

Female Athlete Of The Year

This award is given to the student-athlete who has the largest impact on his/her team and has achieved a high level of success within the SEC and/or nationally.

NOMINEES: Raven Chavanne (Softball), Lindsay Gendron (Swimming & Diving), Lauren Gibson (Softball), Isabelle Harrison (Basketball), Ellen Mullins (Volleyball), Ellen Renfroe (Softball), Meighan Simmons (Basketball)

WINNER: Ellen Renfroe (Softball)

Posted a 19-5 record with a 1.85 ERA and 221 strikeouts over 200.2 innings. Tailed 14 complete games, 7 shut outs, and three saves as well.

A Top-25 finalist for the 2013 USA Softball Player of the year. Also named to the 2013 NFCA All-Southeast Region 2nd Team, 2013 WCWS All-Tournament Team, and was a First Team Capitol One Academic All-District Team.

Mr. Tennessee Big Orange Heart Award

This award acknowledges the all-around male and female student-athletes who excel on the highest level in athletics and academics, are leaders on the field/court/track/pool, and are true volunteers in the community and in society. He/She exhibits high character, achievement, and involvement in all areas. He/She bleeds orange, is enthusiastic and supportive of the team and is full of spirit, optimism, and encouragement.

NOMINEES: Chad Merzbacher (Golf), Michael Palardy (Football), Sam Rairden (Swimming & Diving), Hunter Reese (Tennis) Jacques Smith (Football)
WINNER: Hunter Reese

Ms. Tennessee Big Orange Heart Award

NOMINEES: Tori Bailey (Soccer), Cierra Burdick (Women's Basketball), Kia Jackson (Track &Field), Ellen Mullins (Volleyball), Ellen Renfroe (Softball)
WINNER: Ellen Mullins

University of Tennessee Athletics

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