COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Terrapin men's lacrosse team and head coach Dave Cottle welcomed back the 2002 seniors and former coach Dick "Big Man" Edell, Sunday for the annual awards banquet at the University Golf Course.

Edell was on hand to help present the honors, namely the first annual "Big Man" award that was created to honor the player that best exemplified the selfless and positive qualities of the retired coach. The 2002 award was given to midfielder Paul Gillette.

Edell identified Gillette as one of the team's most valuable players, though he is also one that receives very little recognition.

The Daniel Slafkosky Coach's Award was also given out, in memory of the assistant coach Dave Slafkosky's son who passed away prior to the 2001 season. This year's recipient, midfielder Carrington King, was chosen by coaches as the player who best illustrated Dan's positive attitude on and off the field.

Other awards given out in honor of individual accomplishments throughout the 2002 season were:

Van Trump Award for best overall attackman: Dan LaMonica
Deckman-Silber Award for best overall defenseman: Michael Howley and Chris Passavia
William Cole Award for best overall midfielder: Nate Watkins
Dan Snyder Award for Most Improved Player: Brian Carroll
Levitt Memorial Award for the best freshman: Andrew Schwartzman
Faber Heagy Award for the team's Unsung Hero: Andy Burman
Edwin Powell, Team MVP for 2002: Mike Mollot.

Strength and Conditioning Awards
Be the Best Award: Andy Burman
Iron Terps for highest strength index: Michael Howley and Nate Watkins
Hammer Award for the best hits: Jamie Daue

NCAA awards were given to goalie Danny McCormick for finishing the season with the best Goals Against Average and to the team for completing the year with the smallest scoring margin. All four of the Terps' losses last season were by one-three of them in overtime.

In addition to those accolades, awards were given to the seniors by Dave Diehl, the Director of the M Club and to athletes receiving academic honors during the 2001-2002 school year, by Don Pearman in Academic Support. The 2002 scholar-athlete award was given to Carrington King, in honor of his continued academic accomplishments.