Second Annual End Of The Year Awards

Its summer time which means another Athletic calender year has ended for the Ole Miss Rebels. And while there was little to celebrate nothings more fun than giving out some awards. Except for last years football team. I came up with awards for the team but it was too depressing and contrived due to how terrible they were and the only exciting thing was the end of the gar fisherman's terrible reign on the program. Just like last year all Awards are based on classic 80's era TV shows and I've added a few from last year. Just like last year your team must achieve some modicum of success to be considered. Sorry football team. Additionally your team must play a real sport and not something you do to pass the time at a country club.



The Magnum Award goes to the best Male Athlete.
















Dwayne Curtis. Led the Rebels to the Final Four of the NIT on the way to earning All-SEC second team honors. Averaged 14.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He set a school record with 337 rebounds on the season. Led the SEC with 18 double-doubles, the most by a Rebel since 1956-57. Also notched six games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. Played his best in conference as he was one of only two players in the SEC to average a double double in league play. (13.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg)



The Dukes of Hazzard Daisy Duke award goes to the Lady Rebel Athlete of the Year.















Apologies to last years winner Amber Tramp who had another fine year but this year the award has to go to fellow softball player Lauren Grill. Lauren batted .325 with 12 homeruns and was named an All American in leading the Lady Rebs to the SEC tourney.







The Admiral Albert "Al" Calavicci award to honor his years of faithful guidance goes to the Rebels best coach.









For the second year in a row the award goes to men's basketball coach Andy Kennedy. Kennedy guided the team to national rankings and put them right on the bubble to make the tournament. Unfortunately scourge to the Wookie, Dave Bliss, knocked the Rebs out of the SEC tourney in game one to kill that. But Kennedy didn't let the disappointment effect the team as they beat three solid teams in Ohio State, Nebraska, and Virgina Tech to dance into Madison Square Gardens to put the program on the national stage.

The Luther Van Damne Award goes to the Rebels top assistant coach.










This years award goes to Running Back coach Derrick Nix for landing the top recruit the football team has gotten in years in prep school running back Enrique Davis. I hate giving an award on recruiting but until Reinsteetle teaches the baseball team how to take a pitch or one of Kennedy's guys teaches some defense (or I learn enough about the assistant ladies) its all I've got.





The A-Team award goes to the Best team that achieved the most success.
















While the Basketball team seemed to crap the bed after getting ranked and then again upon entering the SEC tournament they redeemed themselves some by making the final four of the NIT. Sadly thats the best any team can say for the dismal 2007-2008 Rebel campaign.





The MacGyver award for getting the most out of the what appeared at first glance to be the least.

















While Kennedy's still a year away from really having a highly recruited team they were still expected to be better than last year. Trade a Western Division Title for a NIT Final Four and they're essentially the same.
The Lady Rebels Softball team made the SEC tournament and for a team that has struggled for years its a solid improvement. Especially when one of the girls climbs up and gets All American status that certainly raises the profile.

The Miami Vice Award goes to the top destination the Rebels made it to this year.









The hardest decision of any award. Is it better to make and flame out of the NCAA tournament or do well in the NIT. Honestly I think that depends on your expectations and what you've done the last few years. The baseball team has been in a super regional for three straight years. Not even hosting a regional after being ranked number 2 in the country and falling to the last 3 seed selected is a huge step back. You hoped for the basketball team to make the tournament after getting ranked but they were still picked to finish low in the SEC this year. Getting to New York was the best result the Rebs had all year. Here's hoping to a nice bowl game to vacation to next year.