Prizes for Athletic Achievement

THE “POP” GRASSON CUP (1958). Awarded annually to that member of the fencing team who, by spirit and determination, has contributed most to the varsity team.

ALUMNI TEAM MVP AWARD. Awarded annually to the most valuable player as selected by the coaching staff.

ANNE WARNER AWARD. Given to that member of the varsity boat who has provided the greatest impetus toward the achievement of the crew’s racing goals.

AUGUSTUS S. BLAGDEN TROPHY (1955). Donated annually in memory of Augustus S. Blagden, Ph.B. 1901. For that senior who, in spirit and action, has done most to enhance the tradition of rowing at Yale.

BARBARA BOWDITCH AWARD (1976). Given to that member of the women’s varsity team who, in the opinion of the varsity players and coach, “through dedication and ability has contributed the most to the women’s varsity lacrosse team.”

BARBARA E. CHOU AWARD. Awarded annually to that member who, in the opinion of her peers, best exemplifies the spirit, attitude, desire, determination, and leadership qualities of Barbara E. Chou, B.S. 1978, who founded women’s club softball in 1977.

BASSETT BOWL. For team leadership.

BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER (1976). Awarded to that member of the varsity team who, in the opinion of the varsity players and coach, has contributed most to the defense of the team.

BOBBY HERTZ AWARD. Donated by the New Haven Gridiron Club and awarded to the most valuable player on the freshman team.

BROOKS NAFFZIGER TROPHY (1954). William D. Naffziger. Awarded to the wrestler who has gone undefeated in competition, or, in case of no undefeated member, to the member winning the greatest number of matches.

CAPTAIN’S AWARD. To our captain, who, with individuality, caring, and integrity, led our team throughout the season.

CAPTAIN’S AWARD (1977). Awarded to the member of the women’s gymnastics team who has contributed the most to the team by her leadership.

CAPTAIN’S CUP. Presented to the rookie of the year by the senior members of the women’s soccer team.

CHESTER J. LaROCHE AWARD (1968). Given to the senior on the squad who, by his character and his academic talents, has given the most to Yale.

CLASS OF 1930 SPIRIT AWARD. Donated annually by the Crew of the Class of 1930. For a member of the varsity crew for the best cooperative spirit during the year.

COACHES’ AWARD. Awarded to that member of the women’s volleyball team who, in the opinion of the coaching staff, best represents the “team” nature of the game, through her dedication, attitude, desire, hustle, and spirit.

COACHES’ SPECIAL AWARD. Awarded to that member of the team whose presence was vital to the spirit of women’s squash at Yale.

COREY FRIEDLANDER AWARD. Awarded to that member of the Yale fencing team who, through great personal sacrifice, along with a deep sense of enthusiasm and devotion to her fellow fencers, has contributed most to the organization, well-being, and general morale of the Yale fencing team.

DAN CASMAN AWARD (1970). Donated in memory of the former Yale trainer 1944-65. Presented to that underclassman who, in the judgment of the trainer, through his spirit and attitude has contributed the most to team spirit and morale.

DAVID M. DARST HUSTLE CUP (1972). David M. Darst, Class of 1969. Awarded to that freshman player who has made the greatest contribution to the baseball team through desire, enthusiasm, and hustle.

DAVIE CUP (1986). Named in honor of James S. Davie, Dean of Timothy Dwight College and given by the friends of Timothy Dwight College. Awarded to the residential college with the greatest participation in intramural sports.

DONALD J. REAPE MEMORIAL AWARD. Presented annually by Donald J. Reape to that underclassman who best exemplifies the character, spirit, dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm his son Don gave to Yale lacrosse.

DUTCH ARNOLD AWARD (1955). Named in honor of William P. Arnold, Ph.B. 1915. Awarded annually to the most valuable player on the basketball squad.

EDWARD D. O’DONNELL TROPHY (1974). Awarded annually to that member of the team who, in the opinion of his peers, best exemplifies the spirit, attitude, desire, determination and other qualities of a Yale wrestler, as exemplified by Edward D. O’Donnell, coach of wrestling at Yale 1926-44, and as he demanded of members of his teams.

EDWIN FOSTER (“TED”) BLAIR AWARD (1971). Donated by the Yale Club of Madison, Connecticut, in memory of “Ted” Blair, Class of 1924. Awarded to the most valuable player on the team.

EGGIE MILES AWARD (1960). Named in honor of Egbert J. Miles, Jr., B.S. 1935. Awarded annually to that member of the squad who has the best free-throw percentage for the season.

ELEANOR “BOBBY” DAWSON AWARD. Awarded to that member of the women’s team who has contributed immeasurably to the Yale swimming tradition by her dedication and personal achievement.

EVERETT M. WETCHLER MEMORIAL AWARD (1978). Given to that senior member of either the men’s or women’s varsity team who best exemplifies the qualities of competitive spirit, achievement, and dedication to Yale fencing.

FREDERICK GLEASON TROPHY (1945). Frederick B. Gleason, Jr., Ph.B. 1931. For the wrestler who has shown the most improvement during the year.

FIRST-YEAR PLAYER AWARD. Presented by the Yale Hockey Association to the most outstanding first-year player on the Yale hockey team.

FREDRIC WOODROW “WOODY” KNAPP MEMORIAL TROPHY (1968). To the memory of Lieutenant (j.g.) Fredric Woodrow Knapp, B.A. 1965, Attack Squadron 164 U.S. Navy, who so gallantly gave his life in air combat in the skies over North Vietnam on November 2, 1967. Awarded to the outstanding member of the Yale football team who best typifies the cheerful disposition, leadership qualities, and unselfish devotion to others which characterized Woody’s life and accomplishments at Yale.

FRESHMAN INSPIRATION AWARD. Awarded to the most valuable member of the freshman lightweight crew.

G. H. WALKER, JR., AWARD (1954). Named in honor of George H. Walker, Jr., B.A. 1927. Awarded annually to the most valuable player on the University baseball squad.

GEORGE A. PHELPS MEMORIAL AWARD (1928). Harriet B. Phelps in memory of her husband, George A. Phelps, B.A. 1895. Awarded to that member of the tennis team who has shown the greatest improvement during the year.

GEORGE McREYNOLDS AWARD (1966). Awarded annually to the best defensive player on the team as elected by the basketball squad.

GIL KINNEY TROPHY (1953). McKnight Kinney, B.S. 1937. Awarded to the outstanding freshman wrestler.

GREG DUBINETZ AWARD. Awarded to a lineman on the freshman football team who best exemplifies Gregory George Dubinetz’s spirit as a player and qualities as a person.

GROUND BALL TROPHY (1970). Presented by the coach to the player who picks up the most contested ground balls.

HARRY BURKE AWARD (1966). Established by the Yale Swimming Association to honor Yale’s retired freshman coach. Awarded for outstanding contribution to Yale swimming by an underclassman. (Given to one man and one woman).

HENRY H. BABOCK SPIRIT AWARD (1935). Henry H. Babcock, B.A. 1935. Awarded annually to a member of the lightweight crew for outstanding spirit.

HIGHEST ALL-AROUND SCORE, HIGHEST EVENT SCORE, HIGHEST ALL-AROUND AVERAGE. Self-explanatory awards.

HIGHEST GOAL SCORER (1976). Awarded to the player who scores the most goals throughout the season.

THE HOLGATE AWARD (1986). Awarded to the woman whose dedication to the ideals of Yale and success in women’s lacrosse measure up to the standards set by James G. “Gib” Holgate, a member of the Yale athletic administration from 1954 to 1985.

JACK MARSHALL AWARD (1967). Awarded by the Yale Soccer Association in honor of the former Yale coach (1946-65) to the member of the team who demonstrates the qualities of team spirit, loyalty to his fellow players, and dedication to the game.

JAMES A. HUTCHINSON AWARD (1937). James A. Hutchinson, B.A. 1896. Awarded to that member of the varsity tennis team who, during the year, by sportsmanship and cooperative spirit, has done the most for tennis at Yale.

JAMES R. GETZ TROPHY (1938). James R. Getz, B.A. 1933, in memory of his mother. For the wrestler who is of the most value to the team each year.

JOHN A. BLUM AWARD (1977). John A. Blum. Awarded to that member of the women’s tennis team who, in the opinion of the coach, has shown the most improvement.

JOHN A. BLUM SQUASH AWARD. For that member of the team who, through character, dedication, and sportsmanship, has made the greatest contribution to Yale women’s varsity squash.

JOHN A. BLUM TROPHY (1976). Awarded to that member of the Yale men’s varsity squash team who has shown the most significant improvement during the season.

JOHN C. COBB MEMORIAL AWARD (1972). Donated by the Yale Basketball Association in memory of John C. Cobb, Class of 1941. Given annually to the outstanding freshman player.

JOHN EDWARD HEATON HIGH POINT AWARD (1924). John Edward Heaton, a former resident of New Haven. Awarded to that swimmer or diver who has scored the highest possible number of points for the team in dual meet competition for the past season. (Given to one man and one woman).

JOHN F. SKILLMAN AWARD (1967). Awarded to that member of the varsity team who, in the opinion of the coach, captain, and manager, by sportsmanship and determination, has done most for Yale squash during the year.

JOHN M. BRODIE MEMORIAL AWARD (1968). In memory of John Mitchell Brodie, B.A. 1932. Awarded to a senior with high academic standing who intends to attend graduate or professional school at Yale after graduation, to be applied to financial aid for such education.  Preference should be given to a qualified candidate who has been a member of the University wrestling team.  If there is no qualified candidate on the wrestling team, the award may be made to another athlete of either gender.

JOHN O’DONNELL TROPHY. John O’Donnell, former Yale wrestling coach. Awarded annually to the outstanding sophomore wrestler.

JORDAN OLIVAR AWARD (1959). Members of the University football squad in honor of Yale’s former football coach. For the senior on the squad, other than the captain, who, through devotion to Yale football, has earned the highest respect of his teammates.

JUNIOR VARSITY BOWL AWARD. Awarded annually to a second or third oarsman or coxswain who, in the eyes of his teammates, shows dedication, friendship, and commitment and has, by examination, done the most to inspire, enliven, and experience lightweight rowing at Yale.

JUNIOR VARSITY AWARD (1976). Awarded to that member of the junior varsity team who, in the opinion of the players and coach, has contributed the most, through dedication and ability, to the junior varsity team.

JUNIOR VARSITY MVP. Awarded annually to the freshman who has contributed the most to the success of the junior varsity team.

KIESLING AWARD. Given to that member of the women’s crew who has shown the dedication, perseverance, and consistency of effort necessary to maintain morale and a high level of competitiveness and cooperation on the squad.

L.C. STOWELL AWARD. Samuel C. Stowell, Class of 1951, in memory of his father. Presented annually to the most valuable player on the varsity squad.

LEDYARD MITCHELL (1923). Class of 1904 in honor of Ledyard Mitchell, B.A. 1904. For proficiency in football punting.

LISA ROSENBLUM AWARD (1975). Awarded to the player who, in the opinion of her teammates, has contributed the most to the team.

MacLEISH MEMORIAL SWIMMING TROPHY (1936). Halstead B. VanderPoel, B.S. 1935, in memory of Kenneth MacLeish, B.A. honoris causa post-obit 1918. Awarded to that member of the team (one from the women’s team and one from the men’s) who, through effort and high ideals in sportsmanship and loyalty to Yale, best exemplifies the spirit of Kenneth MacLeish.

MALCOLM G. CHACE, Ph.B. 1896, AWARD (1958). Presented by the Yale Hockey Association to that member of the team who, through sportsmanship, team spirit, and ability, has best served the finest tradition of Yale hockey as exemplified by Malcolm G. Chace of Providence, Rhode Island, who as an undergraduate formed Yale’s first hockey team and served as its captain and manager.

MILLETT MEMORIAL TROPHY (1940). Mr. and Mrs. Gardner W. Millett in memory of their son, Gardner W. Millett, Jr., B.A. 1938. Awarded to the outstanding member of the track team who excels in sportsmanship, courage, and inspiration.

MOST IMPROVED FRESHMAN AWARD (1978). David H. Vogel, B.A. 1971, lightweight crew coach. Awarded to that freshman lightweight oarsman who shows most improvement during the year and promise of future achievement in lightweight rowing.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (1976). Awarded to that member of the team who, in the opinion of the coach, has shown the most improvement during the season.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (1977). Awarded annually to that member of the varsity team who, in the opinion of the coach, has shown the most improvement over the course of one season.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD. To that member whose ability and personal achievement are of greatest value to the Yale women’s squash team.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. Self-explanatory award.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER (1976). Awarded to that member of the varsity team who, in the opinion of the players and coach, has contributed the most to the team through dedication and ability.

MURRAY MURDOCH AWARD (1973). Named in honor of Yale’s varsity hockey coach (1938-65). Presented by the Yale Hockey Association to that member of the team deemed the most valuable player.

NELLIE ELLIOT AWARD (1977). Anonymous donor. Awarded annually to the senior woman whose excellence in the field of athletics and in her life at Yale best represents the ideals of sportsmanship and Yale tradition.

NORMAN S. HALL MEMORIAL TROPHY (1941). Established from gifts made in 1937 to a committee of classmates in memory of Norman S. Hall, Class of 1930. Awarded to a player for outstanding service to Yale football.

NOVICE AWARD. Given to that novice who best exhibits the qualities of spirit and leadership necessary for a successful rowing experience.

OGDEN MILLS REID WATER POLO AWARD. Given in memory of Ogden Mills Reid B.A. 1904 by his family. To be given to individuals who have displayed uncommon dedication to the sport of water polo at Yale.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD (1977). Awarded to the member of the women’s gymnastics team who, in the opinion of the coach, has contributed the most to the team.

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD. Awarded annually to that member of the women’s basketball team who, in the opinion of her teammates, through her spirit, hustle, attitude, desire, and determination, has served as an inspiration to the team.

PAUL SORTAL AWARD (1977). Awarded to that member of the team who maximizes his ability to the fullest.

PHILIP MORIARTY AWARD (1969). Established by the Yale Swimming Association in honor of Yale coach, Philip Moriarty. Awarded annually to that senior member of the team who has contributed immeasurably to the Yale swimming tradition by his dedication and personal achievement.

RAYMOND W. (DUCKY) POND PITCHING AWARD (1971). Presented to the pitcher who has made the greatest contribution to the baseball team during his career at Yale and who best exemplifies the qualities and excellence of “Ducky” Pond, B.A. 1925.

RICHARD CORRIGAN AWARD (1966). Presented annually by the former Yale coach to that member of the varsity lacrosse team who has shown the most improvement over the course of one season.

RICHARD DERBY AWARD. Awarded by the Yale Basketball Association in memory of Richard W. Derby, Class of 1964, to that member of the varsity squad who has maintained the high standards of academic and athletic excellence characterized by former team member, Dick Derby.

ROBERT GARDNER ANDERSON ’33 AWARD (1977). Awarded to the player who best exemplifies Bob’s intense interest in the sport by combining athletic skill with team spirit and pride in accomplishment.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, MOST IMPROVED PLAYER, MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. Self-explanatory awards.

S. LIVINGSTON MATHER (1950). S. Livingston Mather, B.A. 1905. For outstanding performance in backstroke swimming.

SHEDD-CROSSMAN AWARD. William G. T. Shedd, Jr., B.A. 1954, and Patrick F. Crossman, B.A. 1954. Awarded annually to the individual on the varsity lightweight crew who has contributed the most to the 150-pound crew during the year.

SHERRY MARCY AWARD (1976). To that member who, through improvement, enthusiasm, dedication, and love of fencing, has made the greatest contribution to the team.

STAN SMITH AWARD (1955). Named in honor of Stanley K. Smith, B.A. 1914. Awarded to a senior member of the team who, over a three-year span, has contributed the most to the harmony, loyalty, morale, and development of the squad.

STEPHEN BLUM AWARD (FRIEND OF THE FENCING TEAM CUP) (1974). Steven Blum, Class of 1974. Awarded to that member of the team who, through great personal sacrifice, along with a deep sense of enthusiasm and devotion to his fellow fencers, has contributed most to the organization, well-being, and general morale of the Yale fencing team.

STUART D. LUDLUM, JR., ’69 MEMORIAL AWARD. Given to that player who exhibits the qualities of enthusiasm, perseverance, and team spirit.

TYNG CUP. The original Tyng Trophy (now in the Mabel Brady Garvan Collection in the Art Gallery) was made in 1774 and given by the Boston Merchants to Captain Edward Tyng for capturing a French privateer which was threatening the coast around Boston. The replica, presented by George T. Adee, B.A. 1895, R. Selden Rose, B.A. 1909, and Malcolm P. Aldrich, B.A. 1922, is awarded to the undergraduate residential college receiving the most points in intramural sports during the entire college year. Sports are graded according to the number of games and to team size, and points are awarded for winning.

WALTER LEEMANN MEMORIAL TROPHY (1952). Awarded annually in memory of Walter Leemann, Yale soccer coach 1923-49, to that senior member of the varsity team who, by sportsmanship and team play, upholds the ideals of Walter Leemann.

WALTER T. COLLINS AWARD (1964). Walter T. Collins, B.A. 1923. Awarded annually to a player who by his overall play has been selected as the best offensive lacrosse player of the season.

WENDY BLANNING AWARD (1977). Established in memory of Wendy Blanning, Class of 1978, by her teammates. Awarded annually to a member of the Yale women’s ice hockey team whose efforts reflect ideals of team play and individual improvement as a hockey player.

WIDDY NEALE, B.S. 1925, GOLF AWARD (1962). Awarded to a member of the varsity golf team who, in the decision of the team, has made the greatest single contribution to the varsity golf team.

WILLIAM LEEMING JELLIFFE MEMORIAL (1925). Dr. and Mrs. Smith Ely Jelliffe in memory of their son, William L. Jelliffe, Ph.B. 1923. Awarded annually to two seniors, a man and a woman, who have shown the greatest progress and development in swimming ability and outstanding leadership during college years.

WILLIAM NEELY MALLORY, B.A. 1924, AWARD (1954). Anonymous donor. Awarded annually to the senior man who, on the field of play and in life at Yale, best represents the highest ideals of American sportsmanship and Yale tradition.

WINTHROP A. SMITH AWARD. Presented by DeForest W. Smith, B.A. 1961, Winthrop S. Smith, Class of 1959, and Danforth M. Smith, Middlebury Class of 1960, to that member of the lacrosse team whose superior conditioning and team play have served as an inspiration to his teammates.

WOMEN’S TRACK AWARD. Given to a member of the women’s team who excels in sportsmanship, courage, and inspiration.

YALE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION AWARD. Presented to that member of the junior varsity hockey team whose determination and desire have contributed most to team morale and the spirit of hockey at Yale.