49er athletes inspire

By Kim Oswell
Online Forty-Niner
Sports Editor

The 49er Hall of Fame is awarding four student athletes the Inspirational Award Oct. 20 at the Annual Hall of Fame Banquet at the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach.

The Inspirational Awards are given to athletes who exhibit character and individual leadership. The coaching staff and the department of athletics at Long Beach State nominate students who they feel represent the school well and deserve recognition.

Jayme Connors, from the women’s basketball team, will receive the Lynn Hoyem Leadership Award. The two students being awarded the Todd Hart Courage Award are Erika Chidester from the women’s volleyball team and Sean Boatright from baseball. Men’s volleyball player, Tyler Hildebrand, is being awarded the Bill Bovee Determination Award.

The awards are given to students who demonstrate different qualities. The Lynn Hoyem Leadership Award is given to an LBSU senior athlete who shows excellent leadership skills in the athletic department.
The Todd Hart Courage Award is given to students who exhibit courage and strength.

The Bill Bovee Determination Award is presented to a senior athlete who goes above and beyond expectations of the coaches and shows determination and cooperation.

Connors is an athlete who takes on a lot of responsibility and thrives on leadership. She endured injuries, but proved she could be an influential leader even on the sidelines, according to her coaches.

She was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team and was team co-captain in 2003-04. Her teammates look up to her because of her character and toughness as an athlete.

Chidester is receiving her award because of her perseverance through injuries and obstacles. She was voted captain by her teammates this year and has been a 49er Academic All-Star seven semesters.

She was also on the Big West Fall All-Academic Team in 2002 and 2003. Her team and coaches acknowledge her endurance and drive to perform at the highest level.

“ Erika is a very special person. It’s not very often that people get to coach or play with a person as giving as her,” said Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro. “She has qualities that I wish everyone had. She gives herself to the team and is willing to do anything that anyone asks of her.”

Boatright is also being awarded because of his positive attitude and inability to give up. He has dealt with numerous injuries and even missed the 2002 season because he had back injuries.

Boatright has overcome obstacles to be awarded to the second team All-Big West last season and help lead the 49ers to a Super Regional in 2004.

Hildebrand is the model of determination because he has to fight against the odds because of a genetic problem in his knee.

He began playing volleyball during his junior year of high school and has since gone on to represent the United States on the World University Game team and was named to the MPSF All-Academic Team in 2004 and 2005.

The four students will officially be inducted into the 49er Hall of Fame on Oct. 20 during the banquet in front of family, friends and LBSU faculty.

Calendar

Display Ads