Spartans Dominate Tampa Sports Club Awards Banquet

TAMPA, Fla. - The 46th annual Sports Awards Banquet for the Tampa Sports Club had a University of Tampa feel as the Spartans took home a total of five awards, which included the Male and Female Amateur Team Awards. The banquet was held at Higgins Hall and also included a video which honored UT's 75 years of existence.

The Spartan baseball team won the Outstanding Male Amateur Team Award after winning the 2006 NCAA II national championship. The team posted a 54-6 overall record, which marked the best winning percentage for a national champion. The program's fourth national title was highlighted by four All-Americans, five players chosen in the MLB Draft and the player-coach duo of Joe Urso and Lee Cruz winning their respective national awards. The award was accepted by three of the All-Americans, Cruz, Sergio Perez and Orlando Rosales.

"This is a tremendous honor to win this award over an outstanding team (Plant High School Football)," says head coach Joe Urso from Boca Raton where his team is facing Lynn University. "We had a great team last season that is most likely the best the university has had and we are extremely honored to win this award."

UT's volleyball team also captured the Outstanding Female Amateur Team Award as they also won the NCAA II national title. With an overall record of 35-1, the Spartans defeated seven ranked teams en route to the school's first female national championship. With four All-Americans, head coach Chris Catanach also earned his second National Coach of the Year award. Catanach and a group of players were on hand to accept the honor.

"We would like to thank the Tampa Sports Club and its members for this award," says Catanach. "This is a great honor and I am extremely proud of this team for their contributions on and off the court. I am also proud to say that they will all become graduates as well."

Cruz was then honored as the Special Award, which he shared with University of South Florida football player Matt Grothe. The award was given to the organization, person or team that made a contribution, achieved a goal or performed in such a way as to bring pride, recognition and values to sports and or community.

The Giving Back to the Community Award was also given to a pair of Spartans in baseball player Chris Rosenbaum and swimmer Meghann Mulbarger. The chairs of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) led outreach efforts including a red ribbon campaign to increase awareness of drunk driving. They also spearheaded a drive to raise $4,000 for the Hope For Children's Home Christmas Wish List by providing gifts for 70 orphans and neglected children. Additionally, they assisted in fundraising for St. Jude's Hospital, wrote letters on behalf of the hospital and sold seat cushions to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Outstanding Citizen Award was given to Sue House, a member of the UT Athletic Advisory Committee and the Sword & Shield Club. Her efforts in the community have helped Spartan teams receive local attention while also assisting with the fundraising campaign.

"This is a great night for The University of Tampa," says UT athletic director Larry Marfise. "We wish to tank the Tampa Sports Club for honoring our outstanding teams and student-athletes. The efforts in promoting the 75th anniversary are also greatly appreciated as a highlight of the school's amazing progress under the leadership of Dr. Ronald Vaughn."