Record Turnout, Charitable Contribution Highlight Chippys
9/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - A record number of attendees and a record charitable contribution highlighted the 5th Annual Chippys Sunday at Plachta Auditorium on the campus of Central Michigan University.
The awards are modeled after the ESPYs, showcasing Chippewas student-athletic standouts and moments from the 2013-14 academic year.
A crowd of more than 600 - the highest number in the event's history - turned out, and $3,500 was raised for Special Olympics. That amount was matched by an anonymous donor, bringing the total for the charity to $7,000.
"The Chippys is a great event put on by student-athletes that brings the CMU and Mount Pleasant communities together, not only to celebrate the previous year's athletic success, but to support and raise money for a great cause," said Jeremy Ploch, Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Services and Student-Athletes Activities Committee Advisor.
The show was produced by Pat McKenzie and Sean Renzi of the CMU baseball team, while Joe Houlihan of the baseball team and Hallie Enderlee of the volleyball team were the emcees.
The award winners: Freshman of the Year: Cooper Rush, football quarterback Breakthrough Athlete: Tyler Huntey, baseball catcher Comeback Athlete: Pat Kaminska, baseball pitcher Fans of the Year: Bob and Betsy Banta Professor of the Year: David McGuire, College of Business Best Play: Crystal Bradford, women's basketball, buzzer-beating shot against Dayton Male Athlete of the Year: Titus Davis, football Female athlete of the Year: Shawntoreah Turk, track and field Best Game: Women's basketball overtime victory over Bowling Green Coach of the Year: Jerry Reighard, gymnastics Team of the Year: Gymnastics Deon Butler of the CMU football team was presented with the Spirit of Special Olympics Michigan Award.
