HONOLULU - University of Hawai`i women's volleyball player Kanoe Kamana`o, women's basketball player Brittany Grice and baseball player Mark Rodrigues were the recipients of the 2007 Jack Bonham Award winners in recognition of their outstanding performances on and off the playing field. The announcement was made Tuesday 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."
For the first time since the award was first handed out in 1974, the women's vote was a tie between Kamana`o and Grice. Kamana`o was a four-time All-American and the most decorated setter in the program's rich history. The 2006 winner of the Western Athletic Conference's Joe Kearney Award, Kamana`o carried a 3.47 grade point average in communications while volunteering for numerous public service activities. On the court, the Honolulu native, finished as the school's all-time leader in assists, was a three-time WAC Player of the Year, and led the Rainbow Wahine to four NCAA Regional appearances. Off the court, she volunteered for D.A.R.E and Honolulu Boys & Girls Club activities, coached clinics for the Police Activities League, and made countless speaking engagements to high schools and clubs.
Grice, a four-year starter and two-time WAC all-defensive team member who ranks second all-time in the school's blocks lists, may have been better known for her work off the basketball court. She has been involved in numerous community service activities, student government, and is a key member of the department's Student Athlete Advisory Committee. A double major in political science and history, Grice has already been accepted to the Notre Dame Law School.
Rodrigues, the baseball staff's ace this season, has battled back from arm problems which forced him to miss all of two seasons. A sociology major who's also minoring in American studies, Rodriques is currently 7-2 this season with a 3.25 earned run average. Off the diamond, the Koloa, Kaua`i native is among several 'Bows who makes regular visits to the Shriner's Hospital, in addition to serving as a counselor for various camps.
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
2006
Alfred Reft, volleyball
Allie Rowe, golf
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
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