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University of Massachusets Athletics
A Special Salute to UMass Athletics
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May 24, 2000
By SUSAN COSCIONE
The Maroon & White
It was a very special UMass Alumni Association Salute to UMass Athletics on April 26, as the Association honored both a Male and Female Athlete of the Year and two Career Coaching Achievement Awards for the first time in the history of the annual banquet. Earning the Athlete of the Year honors were gymnastics' Jeff LaVallee and volleyball's Jill Meyers, while the Coaching Achievement Awards went to baseball's Mike Stone and women's soccer's Jim Rudy.
The voice of the Minutemen, WHMP radio broadcaster Bob Behler, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, with Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Ann Meyers contributing as special guest for the dinner.
Meyers, the aunt of honoree Jill Meyers, offered advice and encouragement to the athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni and fans who were in attendance.
"There's something about being a part of a university," Meyers said. "You are part of a family. And all the people that have been behind you and have helped you to make great strides in your life, you will remember.
"All of us have challenges in our lives, and they are not always easy. But if you believe in yourself and others believe in you, then you can really accomplish something."
UMass Athletic Director Bob Marcum was also on hand for the celebration. Marcum praised the Alumni Association, as well as the honorees.
"This really should be the UMass Athletics Salute to the Alumni Association for all you people do to support our program," said Marcum. "Tonight we are honoring people that I think represent the best you can invest in."
Head volleyball coach Bonnie Kenny presented the first award on the night to her player, Jill Meyers, for the Female Athlete of the Year award. A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Meyers has won numerous athletic and academic awards in her four years at UMass, including the 1999 Division I Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete award. She is also a four-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection and one of just four volleyball players in Minutewoman history to record over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in their career. She was named one of Glamour magazine's "Top 10 College Women" this past fall.
Kenny acknowledged all of Meyers accomplishments, applauding her for her concern and caring for others around her.
"It always amazes me when people say they don't have time for something," Kenny said. "But Jill is always reaching out to people who aren't as privileged as she is."
Meyers thanked all her supporters for helping her to achieve all the honors she has attained while at UMass.
"All of you have encouraged me to continue to be myself and to recognize my potential," Meyers said.
Senior Jeff LaVallee was next presented with the Male Athlete of the Year award by head gymnastics coach Roy Johnson. Johnson spoke eloquently about his senior standout, saying he was a pure joy to coach for four years.
"Jeff is a dream come true," Johnson said. "I think every coach dreams of coaching a kid like Jeff."
LaVallee is the most successful gymnast in UMass history, having garnered five All-America honors in his four-year career, a feat accomplished by no other gymnast in school history. A native of Stafford Springs, Conn., he was also the recipient of the 2000 Nissen-Emery Award, which is awarded to the nation's top senior male gymnast. He was crowned the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Around Champion the past two years and was honored as the ECAC Most Outstanding Senior Gymnast at this year's conference championship.
"Gymnastics has made me into who I am today," LaVallee said. "It has given me some of the most fulfilling moments in my life."
Women's basketball coach Joanie O'Brien presented the first Career Coaching Award to women's soccer coach Jim Rudy. O'Brien skipped the noting of all Rudy's career highlights and instead showed appreciation for his endearing qualities.
"Pride, class and excellence. These three words describe Jim Rudy," O'Brien said. "He has touched a lot of people's lives in a very special way."
Rudy will enter his 12th season as head coach for the women's soccer program this fall. What he has done in his 11 years at UMass and 18 seasons in women's soccer collegiate coaching is establish himself as one of the most consistent winners in collegiate soccer. Rudy, who has averaged 13 wins a season in his career and 14 victories a year at UMass, has a 230-78-19 all-time women's coaching record. His 230 wins rank third all-time and ninth among active women's coaches.
Rudy's emotion and pride was obvious as he accepted his award.
"I am honored and privileged to represent such a great institution," Rudy said. "I honor, cherish and accept tonight's recognition very much."
Men's basketball coach Bruiser Flint presented the final Career Coaching Award to Mike Stone. Stone is in his 13th season as head baseball coach at UMass. Since his hiring in 1988, he has led the Minutemen to six Atlantic 10 regular season titles, two conference tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances. He recorded the 400th win of his UMass career at the beginning of the 2000 season.
Stone was modest in accepting his award, acknowledging the success of his UMass coaching colleagues, as well.
"We have an excellent athletic department," Stone said. "I'm just trying to keep up with everybody here."
The night was a huge success, and once again showcased the wonderful relationship that exists between the Alumni Association and UMass athletics. But most importantly, it gave UMass alumni and friends an opportunity to get together and celebrate the achievements of some of the class individuals representing UMass athletics and the university.