Temple University Athletics
Boyle, Fernandez, Thompson Named PNC Student-Athletes of the Year
4.25.12 | Football, General, Men's Basketball, Women's Fencing
Over 400 Student-Athletes honored at Temple's Breakfast of Champions
Breakfast of Champions Video | Photo Gallery
PHILADELPHIA – Temple University honored its best in athletics, both on and off the field, at its 10th annual Breakfast of Champions Wednesday morning. In all, over 400 Temple student-athletes were recognized for academic and athletic accomplishments with seniors Pat Boyle of the football team and Juan Fernandez of the men's basketball team being named the PNC Male Student-Athletes of the Year while senior Kamali Thompson of the fencing team earned the PNC Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award. It marked the first co-recipients of the PNC Male Student-Athlete of the Year in the event's history.
"The Breakfast of Champions is the signature event for Temple University athletics," said Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw, who instituted the event in 2003, his first full year at the school. "We annually recognize the `best of the best' for athletic performance, academic achievement and service to the community. Pat, Juan and Kamali truly epitomize what is good about intercollegiate athletics."
Boyle, a native of Towson, Md. (Calvert Hill College HS), is a two-year starter who earned first team All-Mid-American Conference honors as a senior in 2011. Also an ECAC All-Star and invitee to the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, the Temple left tackle was instrumental in helping the Owls set school records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in a season. The psychology major, who is also a member of the Director's Honor Roll, is also part of the winningest senior class in Temple Football history.
Fernandez, a native of Rio Tercero, Argentina (Dr. Alexis Carrel HS), is a three-year starter who ended his stellar career ranked seventh in TU history in assists and three-pointers made, and second in three-point field goal percentage. The 6-4 guard scored 1,246 career points, most notable being his buzzer-beater in a 2011 NCAA Tournament win over Penn State. A broadcast journalism major and member of the Director's Honor Roll, he recently signed a multi-year contract to play professional basketball in Italy.
Thompson, a four-time NCAA Championship qualifier, capped her incredible career by earning All-America honors in the sabre at the 2012 NCAA Championships. The first two-time winner of Temple's Female Student-Athlete of the year, the Teaneck, N.J. (Teaneck HS) native defeated three of the nation's top sabre competitors, including 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist Becca Ward of Duke to become only the third TU All-America in the sabre. A Biology Major and member of the Director's Honor Roll, Thompson also was named Philadelphia Inquirer Performer of the Year in 2012.
It was also announced at the Breakfast that 188 student-athletes were named to the Director's Honor Roll (3.0-3.49 cumulative grade point average) with an additional 73 student-athletes to the President's Honor Roll (3.50 or above). Temple also honored its Trustee Ten, its top student-athletes in terms of grade point average - Blake Collins (men's gymnastics), Kathrine Frank (women's cross country/track), Rebecca Keener (field hockey), Allison McWilliams (women's lacrosse), Samantha Schoell (softball), Melissa Schweitzer (women's lacrosse), Amy Stansbury (women's cross country/track), Brett Statman (men's gymnastics), Alexander Tighe (men's gymnastics) and Assaf Zoor (men's gymnastics).
The men's gymnastics team won The Owl Trophy for the top Team GPA Award with an aggregate grade point average of 3.51 while the women's basketball team captured the Owl Cup, given to the team that has best exemplified the initiatives set forth by the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program: student-athletes supporting other student-athletes, excelling in and out of the classroom, attending CHAMPS/Life Skill workshops, volunteerism, and the promotion of a healthy and competitive campus environment.
Junior Jennifer Abercrumbie (women's cross country/track) and graduate student Blake Collins (men's gymnastics) were named as the recipients of the Enterprise Spirit and Sportsmanship Award, given annually to student-athletes who have demonstrated a devotion to the essence of sport through their acts of sportsmanship.
Senior Wayne Tribue (football) and junior Paige O'Sullivan (women's rowing) were named the male and female recipients of the Temple Teammates Award, given to student-athletes who have demonstrated leadership qualities in the area of community service, inspiring others to engage in similar selfless civic endeavors for the purpose of improving the quality of life for those in the local community.
Redshirt senior Katie Canning (women's gymnastics) was selected the NovaCare Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year while senior Ramone Moore (men's basketball) was named the inaugural recipient of the Diamond in the Rough award, given to recognize a student-athlete who has made substantial grade improvements throughout his or her academic career.
Philadelphia media icon Don Tollefson served as the emcee for this year's Breakfast of Champions while Bill Mills, President of PNC, was the presenting sponsor.
