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Pac-10 Sportsmanship Award

The Pac-10 Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selects the winners of the Pac-10 Sportsmanship Award each year from nominations submitted by member institutions. One male and one female are selected annually, and those winners are forwarded to the NCAA for consideration for the NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

To be eligible for the Pac-10 Sportsmanship Award, the student-athlete must: 1) have demonstrated consistently good sportsmanship and ethical behavior in his/her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics; 2) have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting; 3) be in good academic standing; and 4) be a member of an intercollegiate athletics team during that academic year.

Previous winners of the Pac-10 Sportsmanship Award include football player Grayling Love, Arizona State University (2003-04), water polo player Cara Chlebicki, University of California (2004-05), basketball player Channing Frye, University of Arizona (2004-05), track and field athlete Eric Nygard, Washington State (2005-06), soccer player Anna Key, California (2005-06), baseball student-athlete Mitch Canham, Oregon State (2006-2007), and golf student-athlete Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana, Stanford (2006-2007).

For more information about this award, please contact Associate Commissioner Christine Dawson at 925-932-4411 or cdawson@pac-10.org.

Previous Winners

2004 Grayling Love, Arizona State Love was a starter as a sophomore in 2003 and earned 2nd team All-Pac-10 honors. He is a business finance major with a grade-point average of 3.40, who twice has been named honorable mention on the Pac-10 All-Academic Team. He is a member of the football team's leadership council and makes a habit of speaking at public schools, delivering a message of fairness, hard work and citizenship. An example of Love's sportsmanship came in the Arizona State rivalry game against Arizona in 2003 when Love, a sophomore, volunteered to let a senior offensive lineman start in his spot for Senior Day. "Grayling lives sportsmanship in the games of life and sport," said Arizona State football coach Dirk Koetter.
2005 Cara Chlebicki, California Chlebicki has made an impact on the Golden Bears water polo team since the first day she arrived. Her dedication to excellence is what sets her apart from everyone else. Regardless of whether it is academic or athletic pursuits, Cara is a true student. As a freshman, she raised the bar for her teammates and continues to do so everyday, even though she is forced to sit on the sidelines through injury. Chlebicki shows sportsmanship day in and day out. She was voted on by her teammates to be one of the team captains even though she suffered concussions that permanently rendered her medically unable to play water polo again. Chlebicki's contributions to the Bear's water polo team can only begin to be measured by the size of her heart and the dedication she has shown to her teammates and to CAL.
Channing Frye, Arizona Frye, a four year letter winner in men's basketball, at ARIZONA, has an impressive attitude. He always puts his team first. He takes great pride in wearing the Arizona uniform and goes to great lengths to represent it proudly. His view of success begins and ends with team. He is the first to help someone who has fallen. He readily praises an opponent for an outstanding effort. he never blames an official and clearly recognizes that hard work has put him where he is today. In victory, or most importantly, defeat, Channing always makes himself available to answer questions about his effort, his team, or the game. He understands the importance of being a role model.
2006 Eric Nygard, Washington State Nygard competed in both indoor and outdoor events at Washington State, running a personal record and NCAA record Regional-qualifying time in the intermediate hurdles of 52.42 for an eighth-place finish at the Pac-10 Championships in 2005. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in October 2005, Nygard continues to play an important role on the Cougar track and field team, supporting the team at practice and competition, as well as competing in local track meets. Outside of college athletics, Nygard is involved in several volunteer activities through his church, organizing and participating in a youth retreat for over 500 kids, where he spoke and connected with young children. He is pursuing a degree in biology as a pre-med major.
Anna Key, California Key played in five games in the 2005-06 season, helping Cal to a 14-4-2 overall record and the program's first Sweet 16 appearance since 1988. Key logged over 175 minutes, picking up six saves, while giving up just one goal for a 0.51 goals against average. A 2005 Pac-10 All-Academic honorable mention majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies, Key spent the summer in Malawi, Africa helping to develop and promote the importance of staying in school and playing sports. During her stay, she volunteered at an orphan care center which supports villages in Malawi, housing upwards of 900 children who have been orphaned by AIDS or poverty. Through her leadership, the Cal SAAC is looking to raise funds for sports programs in Malawi. Upon graduation, Key hopes to obtain a job in public or international policy.
2007 Mitch Canham, Oregon State Canham is one of four returning starters from last years national championship baseball team. He lead the two-time defending national championship team in batting average this year hitting .326 for the season. Canham also tied for the lead in homeruns with 10. The coaches describe him as a model student-athlete. He has a positive outlook and his teammates' best interest at heart. He is the heart and soul of the club. Off the field, Canham is very involved with the community. He has volunteered in countless community events. Through his involvement with the Special Olympics and his leadership as a member of the SAAC, Canham organized a rap concert to raise over $3000 for the Special Olympics. Canham is pursuing a degree in Business Administration.
Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana, Stanford Tangtiphaiboontana competed in 11 events this season (33 rounds) with a 74.6 stroke average, posted nine top 25 finishes including five top 10 finsihes, was named to the NGCA All-Region team (West, second-team All-Pac-10 selection and tied for 26th at the NCAA Championships with a four round score of 301. Her teammates and fellow competitors describe her as a student of the game of golf. A 2007 Pac-10 All-Academic first team and a 2006 Pac-10 All-Academic second team majoring in Human Biology, Tangtiphaiboontana has spent countless hours volunteering at the Lucile Packard Chidren's Hospital as part of the Baby Buddy Program caring for infants in the Well Baby Nursery and Special Care Nursery. With the tragic loss of her parents to a car crash during her junior year in high school, Tangtiphaiboontana has been inspired even more to give back to the community. Upon graduation, Tangtiphaiboontana will be pursuing a career in Pediatric Medicine.