The Penn State Behrend Lions recently announced the 2009-2010 Male Athlete Award Winners. The Behrend Lion Athletic Staff and athletes gathered for their annual Athlete Awards picnic to announce the recipients.
Penn State Behrend seniors Josh Fyffe (Fredonia/Sharpsville) and Dustin Walker (Apollo/Kiski) were recently named the school's Co-Athlete of the Year for their efforts throughout the 2009-2010 seasons. Walker was the backbone of the Behrend men's soccer team as the goalkeeper and Fyffe has led the Behrend baseball team to a second seed in the upcoming AMCC tournament. Cross Country senior Andy Iams (Harrison City/Penn Trafford) took home both the Outstanding Service award as well as the Faculty Council Service award for his dedication and commitment to Penn State Behrend. Junior basketball player Justin Kovac (Venetia/Peters Twp.) was rewarded for his excellence on the court and in the classroom with the Scholar Athlete of the Year award. Adam Potter (Pittsburgh/Mt.Lebanon) was the recipient of the Herb Lauffer Leadership/Scholarship award while Behrend pep band instructor Gary Viebranz got the Behrend Spirit award.
Walker has had a stellar career as the Behrend net minder. The 2009 season might have been the best yet for Walker as he led his team to the ECAC South title, where he was the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, as well as set many Behrend records including all-time goals against average and total shutouts. He was named AMCC goalkeeper of the week three times and was named to the AMCC First Team for the third straight season. He was also named to the ECAC All-Star First Team.
Fyffe, a 2010 D3Baseball.com preseason honorable mention All-American, eclipsed the mark of 224 held by the late Jake Boyle (1999-02). Fyffe was named the 2009 AMCC and ECAC South Player of the Year after leading the blue and white to its second straight regular season and conference tournament title last spring. He has been recognized in back-to-back seasons as an NCAA all-region performer.
Iams finished second at the AMCC Championship meet, was named all-conference for the fourth consecutive season, and also serves as the Behrend Lions Student-Athlete Advisory Club (SAAC) President.
Kovac has excelled both on the court and off in his years at Behrend. He is a two-time All-AMCC selection and averaged 9.3 ppg along with a team leading 125 assists. Kovac is a double major in accounting and finance and is a member of Chi Sigma Alpha. His teammate Potter received the Herb Lauffer award for his efforts to exemplify qualities such as being a leader, an excellent student and make everyone around him a better person.
Behrend pep band instructor Gary Viebranz received the Spirit Award for his continued success with the Behrend pep band as well as his enthusiasm he brings to events.