1984 Team Honors 2008 Cougars

PROVO -- Members of the 2008 BYU football team were honored by a number of their predecessors from the school’s 1984 National Championship squad Wednesday evening during the team’s awards banquet at the Provo Marriott.

A number of team awards, as voted on by team members, were presented during the annual event while the many contributions of the program’s departing seniors were also recognized. Cougar players, coaches, staff, family, former players and special guests were in attendance.

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall expressed his appreciation to the team’s seniors, acknowledging their many contributions and solid leadership. The senior class leaves with many accomplishments, including being part of the first BYU teams since the 1984 era (1983-85) to win 10 or more game for three straight seasons.

Philadelphia sports broadcaster and former Cougar running back and return specialist Vai Sikahema emceed the event and was joined by fellow members of BYU’s 1984 National Championship team as award presenters. Following is a rundown of the award recipients.

Sikahema presented senior defensive lineman Brock Richardson the LaVell Edwards Spirit of the Y Award.

Former BYU and NFL defensive lineman Shawn Knight presented senior running back Fui Vakapuna and junior defensive back Scott Johnson the Robbie Bosco Award for Determination. Knight also presented senior punter C.J. Santiago with the Aaron Francisco Special Teams MVP Award.

Kevin Doman, a receiver on the 1984 team and older brother of BYU quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman, awarded the Chad Lewis Flag Bearer Award for Integrity to junior linebacker Matt Bauman. Doman also presented junior defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen with the Bart Oates Award for Honor.

BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae, an offensive lineman on the 1984 team, presented senior running back Wayne Latu with the Vai Sikahema Award for Service and Devotion. Anae also presented senior offensive lineman Travis Bright and junior linebacker Coleby Clawson with the John Tait Strength & Conditioning Award.

Steve Haymond, a safety on the 1984 team, presented freshman running back Bryan Kariya with the Glen Redd Award for Work Ethic and Effort. Haymond also presented senior offensive lineman David Oswald with the Todd Christensen Academic Excellence Award. Oswald also earned the award last season.

Jim Herrmann, a defensive lineman and team captain on the 1984 team, presented senior offensive lineman Travis Bright with the Ty Detmer Award for Leadership. Herrmann also presented senior defensive back Kellen Fowler with the Floyd Johnson Shield of Faith Award.

1984 defensive lineman Ty Mattingly presented senior receiver Michael Reed with the Leon White Award for Unselfish Devotion. Mattingly also presented freshman defensive back Travis Uale with the Chris Hoke Personal Best Defensive Scout Award.

Kyle Morrell, famously known as the defensive back who helped preserve BYU’s perfect 1984 season by diving over the line to stop Hawaii’s quarterback sneak before the goal line, presented senior linebacker David Nixon with the Kurt Gouveia Defensive MVP Award. The 1984 team captain also presented junior quarterback Max Hall with the Andy Reid Competitive Greatness Award. Hall earned the vote of his teammates for the second-straight season.

Local sports broadcaster Alema Harrington, a running back on the 1984 team, presented the Steve Young Offensive MVP Award to junior All-American receiver Austin Collie. Harrington also presented freshman tight end Braden Brown and freshman running back Tucker Lamb with the Bill McNabb Personal Best Offensive Scout Award.

In addition to his emcee and presenting duties, Sikahema, a two-time NFL Pro Bowl player, was called to the podium to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. He was presented the honor by current BYU assistant head coach Lance Reynolds, who was a member of the Cougar coaching staff in 1984.

Coach Mendenhall took time to recognize the efforts of the team’s seniors as well as the leadership of team captains Bright, Hall, Nixon and Jorgensen. The captains then each took a moment to speak before the team’s 24 seniors and Collie, who declared for the NFL Draft, were individually recognized and honored.

Jorgensen echoed the expressed sentiments of Coach Mendenhall when the junior defensive standout concluded, “This night is for the seniors.”

BYU’s 2009 team begins spring practice on Monday.