PROVO -- Members of the BYU Football team, coaches, staff, family, former players and special guests gathered at the Provo Marriott on Wednesday evening for the annual team awards banquet.
Former BYU running back Vai Sikahema served as the emcee for the event, and a number of former players were on hand to present awards. Following is a rundown of the award recipients.
The Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to former BYU running back and renowned sculptor Blair Buswell.
Canadian Football League star receiver Ben Cahoon presented senior defensive back Quinn Gooch the LaVell Edwards Spirit of the Y Award.
Outland Trophy winner and SuperBowl Champion Jason Buck presented Corby Hodgkiss the Robbie Bosco Award for Courage and Determination.
ProBowl tight end Chad Lewis awarded the Chad Lewis Flag Bearer Award to senior receiver Matt Allen. Lewis also presented defensive lineman Brock Richardson with the Floyd Johnson Shield of Faith Award.
Philadelphia Eagles return specialist Reno Mahe presented senior linebacker Kelly Poppinga with the Ty Detmer Award for Leadership. Mahe also presented senior linebacker Markell Staffieri and sophomore defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen with the Bart Oates Big Brother Award.
NFL veteran linebacker and Super Bowl Champion Rob Morris presented Fui Vakapuna with the Leon White Award for Unselfish Devotion. Morris also presented sophomore quarterback Max Hall with the Andy Reid Competitive Greatness Award.
Five-time Pro Bowler Todd Christensen presented offensive lineman David Oswald with the Todd Christensen Academic Excellence Award. Christensen also presented senior linebacker Bryan Kehl the John Tait Strength & Conditioning Award.
A former tight end for the Chicago Bears, Gabe Reid presented running back Wayne Latu with the Vai Sikahema Award for Service. Reid also presented quarterback Matt Marshall with the Bill McNabb Personal Best Offensive Scout Award.
Seattle Seahawks' linebacker Cameron Jensen presented Ben Criddle with the Glen Redd Award for Work Ethic. Jensen also presented linebacker Jeff Bell with the Chris Hoke Personal Best Defensive Scout Award.
NFL veteran linebacker Colby Bockwoldt presented linebacker Matt Bauman with the Aaron Francisco Special Teams MVP Award, and also presented Kehl with the Kurt Goveia Defensive MVP Award.
For the final award of the evening, Cahoon presented the Steve Young MVP Award to freshman All-American running back Harvey Unga.
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall took a moment to recognize the efforts of team captains Kehl, Poppinga, Allen and Sete Aulai.
The team captains then took a moment to thank their head coach and present him with a gift. Mendenhall was presented with a pair of Nike shoes that have the phrase, "Magic Happens" embroidered on a strap of the shoe. Kehl explained that Coach Mendenhall has instilled in them the desire to work hard, to do things the right way, and has shown them that when you do everything you can, and put yourself in a position to be successful, magic can happen.
"I look forward to wearing these on the practice field on Monday," Mendenhall said.
In addition, the captains took time to thank Holly Mendenhall for her example, her support and for the spirit she brings to team firesides and other events.
The captains also honored long-time director of football operations, Duane Busby, with a framed jersey.