HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i women's volleyball player Emily Hartong and men's basketball player Davis Rozitis were the recipients of the 2014 Jack Bonham Award in recognition of their outstanding performances on and off the playing field. The announcement was made Tuesday night at 'Ahahui Koa 'Anuenue's H Awards 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."

In addition, seveal other awards were handed out. Stephen Ventimilia (baseball) - Pride Award; Shawna-Lei Kuehu (basketball) - Inspiration Award; Davis Holt (volleyball) - Heart of the Team Award; Ana-Melissa Kea (sailing) - One to Watch Award; Hayden Gibson (soccer) - Individual Community Service Award; Track and Field Team - Team Community Service Award.
 
Hartong was a three-time All-American and three-time first team all-conference honoree, and will go down as one of the finest players to don a Rainbow Wahine uniform. The Los Alamitos, Calif. native was also twice named Big West Player of the Year and leaves UH ranked eighth all-time with 1,494 kills, a remarkable statistic considering she spent her first two seasons as a middle hitter. Her impact also extends beyond the court. She is an active participant in numerous community service projects including speaking to children and sharing her volleyball knowledge with club coaching and youth clinics. Hartong was a three-time academic all-conference selection and will graduate in the spring with a degree in communications.
 
"Emily was a team captain her last two seasons and it was her tremendous work ethic that inspired her teammates throughout her four-year career," head coach Dave Shoji said. "She was never late to or missed a practice and when asked to change positions after her first two years, she did so for the good of the team. She was a leader off the court as well, encouraging her teammates to be better and organizing team activities. She's committed to doing her best in everything that she does."
 
Rozitis lettered three seasons for the Rainbow Warriors. He was a member of head coach Gib Arnold's first recruiting class and part of a team that won 20 games for the first time in a decade. The Cesis, Latvia native was as a tri-captain for this past year's squad and, as a junior, was named UH's Best Defensive Player. Rozitis is a three-time academic all-conference selection and has also been an integral member of the Student Advisory Athletic Committee (SAAC). Rozitis earned his undergraduate degree last spring in political science and is currently pursuing his master's in conflict resolution. 
 
"Davis is much deserving of the Jack Bonham Award," said Arnold. "On the court, he has been a big part of our success the last four years. His numbers don't jump out at you, but his abilities, particularly on defense, have been a huge asset for our team. Off the court, Davis has made it a point to make a difference. He's a very intelligent and engaging person and it's shown through his academic accomplishments and his commitment to SAAC."

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
 	Male                            Female
2013    Pi'ikea Kitamura, baseball      Kelly Majam-Elms, softball,
                                        Stephanie Ricketts, basketball/softball
2012	Matt Sisto, baseball	        Kanani Danielson, volleyball
2011	Kealoha Pilares, football	Emma Friesen, diving
2010	Andreas "Andy" Weber, tennis	Aneli Cubi-Otineru, volleyball
2009	Solomon Elimimian, football	Annett Wichmann, track and field
2008	Colt Brennan, football 	        Kate Robinson, softball
2007	Mark Rodrigues, baseball	Kanoe Kamana'o, volleyball,
			                Brittany Grice, basketball
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	None		                Susan McDaniel, diving
1986	Michael Beazley, football	Susan Hlavenka, volleyball
1985	Joe Lileikis, swimming		Andrea Hawcridge, swimming
1984	None		                Rose Thomas, tennis
1983	Larry Goeas, football		Joy Minaai, tennis
1982	Brandan Kop, golf		Gillian Cooper, tennis
1981	Blane Gaison, football		None
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