May 4, 2004

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Tennis standouts Phil Stolt (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) and Jennifer McGaffigan (Davenport, Iowa) were among the University of Illinois student-athletes honored tonight at the 14th annual University of Illinois Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet, held at the Assembly Hall. Stolt and McGaffigan were both named winners of the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor, which is awarded annually at each conference school to a male and female senior student-athlete who has demonstrated proficiency in scholarship and athletics. The Big Ten Medal of Honor was first endowed in 1914 and has become the top annual award the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics bestows.

Senior Phil Stolt, a graduate of Northern Highlands High School, has excelled both on the court and in the classroom while at Illinois. He is a four-time All-Big Ten selection and three-time Academic All-Big Ten pick while posting a 3.407 cumulative grade point average as a finance major. After leading the Illini to unprecedented success throughout his career, including an NCAA team title, a 60-match winning streak and a third consecutive Big Ten title last weekend, Stolt's career record is 99-39 in singles and 96-27 in doubles competition, totals which rank him 10th and fifth, respectively, on the all-time UI career win lists. He has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation in singles, and he and doubles teammate Brian Wilson were ranked No. 2 in doubles as recently as April 6 of this season. During his rookie campaign in 2001, Stolt set the Illinois record for wins by a freshman with 32. Last season, he was the recipient of the ITA Midwest Region's Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award.

Fighting Illini senior Jennifer McGaffigan is a graduate of Bettendorf High School. While at Illinois, McGaffigan has maintained an impressive 3.498 grade point average as an accounting major. On the court, she has started every dual match of her career in both singles and doubles (94 in all), playing in No. 1 singles in 89 of those matches. She is the Illinois career leader in singles wins (104), doubles wins (104) and combined wins (208). She currently has a record of 30-9 and is ranked No. 36 in singles, having been as high as No. 14 this season. In doubles, she and teammate Cynthya Goulet have a 30-8 record and have been ranked as high as No. 7 in the country this season. In 2002, McGaffigan was Illinois' first player to qualify for the NCAA singles tournament in 10 years, and the following year she reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA doubles tournament with partner Michelle Webb. She is a four-time All-Big Ten selection and three-time Academic All-Big Ten pick. During her freshman season in 2001, she was named Illinois' first-ever Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

In addition to honoring current student-athletes, a pair of former Illini greats were also recognized at the banquet. Former UI basketball player Larry Lubin, '79, spoke to the nearly 600 in attendance about how Fighting Illini athletics impacted his life. Also, Ellen Greaves, '72, spoke about the 3-D campaign, which honored former female student-athletes who competed at Illinois prior to 1974, when women's athletics were integrated into the Athletic Department.

The Scholar Athlete Banquet is an annual event that recognizes graduating student-athletes and others that have excelled both athletically and academically. Below is a complete list of the evening's award winners and finalists:

Fighting Illini Spirit Award Finalists
(Athletes who exemplify the spirit, courage, effort and dedication of the Fighting Illini.)

Female Finalists
Junior Julie Balicki (Lockport, Ill.), Softball
Senior Allison Guth (Arlington Heights, Ill.), Basketball
Junior Kara Kapernekas (Westchester, Ill.), Gymnastics
Sophomore Brianna Knue (Western Springs, Ill.), Tennis
Junior Erin Virtue (St. Charles, Ill.), Volleyball
Senior Kelly Walker (Wilmette, Ill.) Soccer *** WINNER ***

Male Finalists
Senior Michael Calkins (Portland, Ore.), Tennis
Senior Erik Garnett (Bellaire, Tex.) Gymnastics *** WINNER ***
Senior Jerrance Howard (Peoria, Ill.), Basketball
Senior Brian Raymond (West Chicago, Ill.), Baseball

Fighting Illini Newcomer of the Year Finalists
(Best athlete performing in his/her first year of competition at Illinois.)

Female Finalists
Freshman Cassie Hunt (Roachdale, Ind.), Cross Country *** WINNER ***
Freshman Yvonne Mensah (Surrey, B.C.), Track & Field
Freshman Cara Pomeroy (Ottawa, Ontario), Gymnastics
Freshman Barbie Viney (Georgetown, Ky.), Swimming & Diving

Male Finalists
Freshman Zach Glavash (Chillicothe, Ill.), Track & Field
Freshman E.B. Halsey (Elizabeth, N.J.), Football *** WINNER ***
Freshman Ryan Hastings (Matoon, Ill.), Baseball
Freshman Trent Hoerr (Morton, Ill.), Cross Country
Freshman GD Jones (Auckland, New Zealand), Tennis

Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award Winners
(Male and Female letterwinners with the highest grade point average in each class of school.)
Sophomore Charles Kurlinkus (Roscoe, Ill.), Men's Track & Field, 3.886 GPA - Biology Major
Sophomore Cynthya Goulet (Loungueil, Quebec), Women's Tennis, 3.982 GPA - Finance Major
Junior Chris Martin (Tulsa, Ok.), Men's Tennis, 3.845 GPA - Finance Major
Junior Kathleen Bazzetta (Naperville, Ill.), Volleyball, 3.973 GPA - Finance Major
Senior Erik Garnett (Bellaire, Tex.) Men's Gymnastics, 3.888 GPA - Chemistry Major
Senior Casey Boyd (Dublin, Ohio), Swimming & Diving, 3.841 GPA - Biology Major

Fighting Illini Outstanding Team GPA Awards
(Highest cumulative GPA for a team)
Women's Golf, Coach Paula Smith, 3.584 Cumulative GPA
Men's Cross Country, Coach Paul Pilkington, 2.970 Cumulative GPA

Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year Finalists
(Awarded to the female and male student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in athletic achievement.)
The winners will be determined following completion of the spring seasons.

Female Finalists
Junior Leisha Alcia (Mississauga, Ontario), Soccer
Senior Lisa Argabright (Louisville, Ky.), Volleyball
Senior Cindy Dallas (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Basketball
Senior Ilkay Dikmen (Istanbul, Turkey), Swimming
Senior Lindsey Hamma (Wheeling, Ill.), Softball
Senior Jennifer McGaffigan (Davenport, Iowa), Tennis
Junior Ashley Williams (Northport, Ala.), Gymnastics

Male Finalists
Senior Joe Affrunti (Crystal Lake, Ill.), Golf
Sophomore Justin Spring (Burke, Va.), Gymnastics
Sophomore Alex Tirapelle (Clovis, Ca.), Wrestling
Sophomore Deron Williams (The Colony Tex.), Basketball
Senior Brian Wilson (San Marcos, Ca.), Tennis