April 23, 2012
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Athletics Department held its annual Gamecock Gala on Monday evening at Colonial Life Arena. The event honored the University’s student-athletes for their accomplishments during the 2011-12 campaign. Student-athletes, administrators, coaches and special guests attended the elegant event, which featured a red carpet entrance, a first-class dinner and special awards ceremony.
Michael Roth from the baseball team won the night’s most prestigious honor, the President’s Award, which was presented to him by University of South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides. Roth will earn his degree in international business and marketing in May. He is a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, he is also a member of Carolina’s Dean’s and President’s Lists. A consensus first-team All-American in 2011, he helped lead the Gamecock baseball squad to back-to-back national championships, making appearances in the 2010 and 2011 series clinching game. His success on the field and in the classroom continues in 2012, as he recently collected the 20th win of his career and is on pace to graduate from the University this spring.
The 2012 Garnet Award, which symbolizes passion and devotion for Gamecock Athletics, was presented by South Carolina Athletics Director Eric Hyman to Mr. Herbert Adams. Adams, a member of the Gamecock Club for 45 years, has served as a University Board of Trustee member for 28 years, while serving as the Chairman of the Board from 2004-08. An avid and loyal fan of Gamecock Athletics, he has driven family and friends to SEC schools near and far, and also attends the SEC basketball tournament.
A complete list of award recipients from the 2012 Gamecock Gala is below:
Kenny Lytle Scholarship – Katie Burnett
NCAA Ethnic Minority & Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship: Radiance Basden (women’s track and field)
SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Award: Katie Burnett (women’s golf), Michael Roth (baseball)
SEC Brad Davis Community Service Award: Courtney Newton (women’s basketball), Chris Campbell (men’s track and field)
New Student-Athlete of the Year: Sabrina D’Angelo (women’s soccer), Jadeveon Clowney (football)
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Courtney Forcucci (women’s swimming and diving), Marvin Reitze (men’s track and field)
Life Skills Team of the Year: Volleyball
Athletes of the Year: Kayla Grimsley (women’s soccer), Melvin Ingram (football)
The Gamecock Inspiration Award: Victoria Middleton (equestrian)
The Garnet Award: Mr. Herbert Adams
The President’s Award: Michael Roth (baseball)
Team MVP’s
Women’s Basketball: La’Keisha Sutton
Men’s Basketball: Malik Cooke
Equestrian: Maggie Fortune
Football: Melvin Ingram
Women’s Golf: Katie Burnett
Men’s Golf: Wesley Bryan
Women’s Soccer: Sabrina D’Angelo
Men’s Soccer: Vance Benson
Softball (MVP based on 2011 season): Samie Garcia
Women’s Swimming and Diving: Courtney Forcucci
Men’s Swimming and Diving: Cole Miller
Women’s Tennis: Jaklin Alawi
Men’s Tennis: Andrew Adams
Women’s Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field: Kierre Beckles
Men’s Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field: Marvin Reitze
Cross Country: Beatrice Biwott
Volleyball: Juliette Thévenin
