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Men's basketball's Robert Willhite (L) and softball's Lauren Harper were crowned Student-Athletes of the Year

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Toros Honor Best at Student-Athlete Banquet

CARSON -- Track and field senior Dora Baldwin was named the Dr. Richard Butwell Award winner, with men's basketball's Robert Willhite and softball's Lauren Harper earning the Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards to round out the top winners at Tuesday night's Cal State Dominguez Hills' student-athlete banquet, held at the Holiday Inn Torrance.

The awards were three of 18 total awards presented to student-athletes, coaches and faculty/staff in the event honoring academic and athletic accomplishments from the 2011-12 school year.

Emceed by CSUDH baseball head coach Murphy Su'a, the event was attended by all sports as well as by CSUDH faculty and staff and one of two families whose names appear on two separate awards. 

All in all, 14 awards were presented to student-athletes on the evening, with 2 receiving honors for their milestone achievements, and four to faculty, staff and the surrounding community for their milestones and contributions to the athletics department.

Willhite and women's soccer's Taylor Canatsey received the Dr. Hal Charnofsky CSUDH Memorial Scholar-Athlete of the Year nods for their successful work in the classroom, while men's basketball's Matt Cain and women's soccer's Lexi Ford were selected as the CSUDH representatives for the CCAA Charnofsky Awards, as recognized by the league office.

Women's soccer's #Paige Peel# received the Jennifer Winkelspecht Award with Winkelspecht's parents, Brian and Lisa, in attendance, an award named after the former Toro volleyball player who passed away before the start of the 1995 season and is presented annually to the Toro who most exemplifies great personal character and has had his/her achievement recognized by the student-athlete educators and peers.

Cross country's Rebecca Caracoza then received the Mike Sharp Most Inspirational Award, an accolade that acknowledges the student-athlete who best inspires his/her teammates to excel in competition through persevering with hope and courage, with assistant coach Laura Ewing accepting on her behalf as Caracoza was in the middle of a final exam during finals week.

Willhite was chosen the Male Athlete of the Year after earning a 2nd-team All-CCAA honor and placing near the top in nearly all CCAA categories, while topping his team in one category, finishing second in one, and third in five others, all while displaying the commitment, drive and leadership that transcend offensive numbers.

Harper, meanwhile, earned the Female Athlete of the Year honor for leading her team to within one win of the NCAA Championships after picking up a 2nd-team All-CCAA honor, a pair of CCAA Player of the Week awards and tossing her first-career no-hitter against a Top 25 team in February.

For the milestone awards, Harper picked one up for her no-hitter, while teammate Stephanie Jimenez received an award for setting the single-season records for strikeouts and shutouts.  Head coaches Van Girard and Jim Maier also earned a milestone award for career victories No. 300 and No. 400, respectively, before Girard was presented a watch and collage in a post-retirement party celebration to commemorate his 24 years as head coach of the Toros.

The Dr. Richard Butwell Award, named after the former President of the University, is bestowed upon the student-athlete who goes above and beyond the call of duty, not only achieving success in the classroom and on the playing field, but who also is an active member of the community as a representative of Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Baldwin, who currently boasts a 3.668 GPA as a business administration major, has been a key contributor to the success of the track and field program.  Also a CSUDH Presidential Outstanding Student Award Winner and member of SAAC for two years, Baldwin played an involved role in many SAAC functions and on-campus activities, all while earning two All-Region nods and qualifying for NCAA Nationals next week and holding down a full-time job as a resident assistant in CSUDH's housing.

Kinesiology's Lee Hancock received the annual Athletics Outstanding Professor of the Year Award in a close vote amongst peers Brenda Riddick (Political Science), Charles Thomas (Business Adminstration/Public Policy), Ken Retzack (Accounting), Ricardo Ulivi (Accounting), Sharon Sharp (Communications) and Stan Clark (Mathematics) as presented by SAAC Vice President Danny Haley, after which Haley announced women's soccer as the winners of April's Talent Show.

Earlier in the evening, CSUDH Office/Business Manager Tiffany Edlin presented an "In Appreciation" award to Schools Federal Credit Union's Martha Franco for her commitment to the Athletics Department prior to being transfered to another branch.

Leading up to the night's final two awards, a video montage of the 2011-12 season was played that captured moments from athletic competition, community service projects, and times to remember, one that followed a "viral" senior salute by golf head coach Dr. John Johnson, two original Rebecca Bennett productions.
 
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Men's basketball's Robert Willhite was named the CSUDH Dr. Hal Charnofsky Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, presented by FAR Dr. Mike Ernst. Women's soccer's Taylor Canatsey received the Female award, but was unable to attend
Men's basketball's Matt Cain (L) and women's soccer's Lexi Ford were the CCAA Dr. Hal Charnofsky Scholar-Athletes of the Year, presented by CSUDH Academic Advisor Shelby Stueve (R)
CSUDH AD Patrick Guiillen presents Mike Sharp Memorial Award to cross country assistant coach Laura Ewing, accepting on winner Rebecca Caracoza's behalf
Paige Peel (R) accepts the Jennifer Winkelspecht award, and is pictured with (L-R) Brian and Lisa Winkelspecht and presenter Dr. Lois Feuer
Milestone award winners include (L-R) head coach Van Girard, Lauren Harper, Elizabeth Jimenez (accepting on behalf of sister Stephanie), head coach Jim Maier
Recently retired head coach Van Girard during his well-deserved tribute after 24 years of service
Members of the Talent Show winning women's soccer team
CSUDH Office/Business Manager Tiffany Edlin presenting an "In Appreciation" award to Martha Franco from Schools Federal Credit Union
The seniors with their embroidered "Senior Blanket" farewell gift
 
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Players Mentioned

Robert Willhite

#05 Robert Willhite

G
6' 3"
Freshman
Lauren Harper

#4 Lauren Harper

P
5' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
Stephanie Jimenez

#17 Stephanie Jimenez

P / 1B
5' 3"
Sophomore
S/R
Danny Haley

#20 Danny Haley

OF
6' 1"
Freshman
R/R
Dora Baldwin

Dora Baldwin

5' 7"
Junior
Rebecca Caracoza

Rebecca Caracoza

5' 4"
Junior
Taylor Canatsey

#14 Taylor Canatsey

MF
5' 7"
Senior
Lexi Ford

#30 Lexi Ford

MF
5' 6"
Junior
Paige Peel

#10 Paige Peel

D/MF
5' 7"
Senior
Matt Cain

#04 Matt Cain

G
5' 10"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Robert Willhite

#05 Robert Willhite

6' 3"
Freshman
G
Lauren Harper

#4 Lauren Harper

5' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
P
Stephanie Jimenez

#17 Stephanie Jimenez

5' 3"
Sophomore
S/R
P / 1B
Danny Haley

#20 Danny Haley

6' 1"
Freshman
R/R
OF
Dora Baldwin

Dora Baldwin

5' 7"
Junior
Rebecca Caracoza

Rebecca Caracoza

5' 4"
Junior
Taylor Canatsey

#14 Taylor Canatsey

5' 7"
Senior
MF
Lexi Ford

#30 Lexi Ford

5' 6"
Junior
MF
Paige Peel

#10 Paige Peel

5' 7"
Senior
D/MF
Matt Cain

#04 Matt Cain

5' 10"
Junior
G