HONOLULU - University of Hawai`i women's golfer Allie Rowe and men's volleyball player Alfred Reft were named the 2006 Jack Bonham Award winners in recognition of their outstanding performances on and off the playing field. The announcement was made this morning at the annual Scholar-Athlete Breakfast at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The award is given annually to the top male and female senior student-athlete who "best exemplifies the ideals for which Jack Bonham stood for in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character."
Rowe, a four-year letterwinner, has been named a UH Scholar-Athlete each year and will graduate this spring with a degree in political science. She is the first UH women's golfer to receive the Bonham award in its 33-year history. The San Ramon, Calif, native is a member of the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and represents UH on the Western Athletic Conference SAAC board. She chaired many school events such as the "Relay For Life" and the first-ever athlete ball. Rowe served as team captain last season.
Reft is arguably the most decorated back row specialist in school history. A first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American last season, Reft earned national defensive player of the year honors by Volleyball Magazine. Earlier this season, he broke the school's all-time digs record in just his third season with the Warriors. In addition to volunteering as an assistant coach with the University High School girls volleyball team, Reft has worked at volleyball clinics in his native Oxnard, Calif., area. He also has volunteered at local schools. Reft will graduate this spring with a degree in English.
Considered the most prestigious award in UH athletics, the Jack Bonham Award is named for the late assistant athletics director who was killed in 1974 in a plane crash in America Samoa. Bonham was returning to the islands from New Zealand where he was on a recruiting trip at the British Commonwealth Games.
Previous Bonham Award Winners
2005
Chad Owens, football
Jennifer Warnock, sailing
2004
Michael Kuebler, basketball
Melissa Villaroman, volleyball
2003
Costas Theocharidis, volleyball
Kate Judd, softball
2002
Predrag Savovic, basketball
Molly O'Bryan, sailing
2001
Nerijus Puida, basketball
Andrea Nishioka, water polo
2000
Dan Robinson, football
Raylene Howard, basketball
1999
Michael Dartt, baseball
B.J. Itoman, basketball
1998
Naveh Milo, volleyball
Nani Cockett, basketball
1997
Carlton Oswalt, football
Angelica Ljungquist, volleyball
1996
Clint Kuboyama, football
Tania Brunton, basketball
1995
Jason Olive, volleyball
Brandi Brooks, volleyball
1994
Jarinn Akana, basketball
Melanie Azama, basketball
1993
Travis Sims, football
Daniele Haia, softball
1992
Shawn Ching, football
Heidi McElhanney, swimming
1991
Dane McArthur, football
Patti Su`a, softball
1990
Jeff Ball, baseball
Judy Mosley, basketball
1989
Amosa Amosa, football
Sandra Budd, swimming
1988
Guy Farrow, swimming
Reydan Ahuna, volleyball
1987
No men's recipient
Susan McDaniel, diving
1986
Michael Beazley, football
Susan Hlavenka, volleyball
1985
Joe Lileikis, swimming
Andrea Hawcridge, swimming
1984
No men's recipient
Rose Thomas, tennis
1983
Larry Goeas, football
Joy Minaai, tennis
1982
Brandan Kop, golf
Gillian Cooper, tennis
1981
Blane Gaison, football
No women's recipient
1980
Dean Dunn-Rankin, tennis
Bonnie Gouveia, volleyball
1979
Ron Nomura, baseball
Jane Zukaitis, tennis
1978
Harris Matsushima, football
1977
Gerald Ako, baseball; Alex Kaloi, football
1976
Marilyn Moniz, women's volleyball
1975
Gene Caranza, men's gymnastics
1974
Joey Estrella, baseball
Note: Only one award given the first five years
-UH-
