Dixon Wins Chip Hilton Award
4/1/2002 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 1, 2002
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Maryland Senior Juan Dixon, whose determination and skill helped lead his team to back-to-back Final Four appearances, is the winner of the 2002 Chip Hilton Player of The Year Award, it was announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Chip Hilton Sports.
Dixon received the honor at the Hall of Fame/ NABC Past President's luncheon at the Hilton Hotel in Atlanta on Sunday.
The award honors a senior Division I men's player for demonstrating outstanding character, leadership, and talent, similar to the qualities evident in the 24-book Chip Hilton sports fiction series. The books authored by Clair Bee, enjoyed their first popularity in the 40's, 50's and 60's and were re-released to a new generation of readers in 1999.
Dixon will finish his career at Maryland as the leading scorer in Terrapin history. This season he also led the ACC in steals and became the first player in NCAA history to achieve 2,000 points, 300 steals and 200 3-point field goals. Along with fellow senior captains Lonny Baxter and Bryan Mouton, Dixon helped to bring about tremendous consistency in Terrapin basketball, which has resulted in a four year record of 108-31. Dixon played in all 108 wins, which are the most in any four-year span in Terrapin history. The Terps have played in the NCAA Tourney each year.
Overcoming the deaths of both parents and a small frame originally dubbed "too frail" to play in the ACC, Dixon's career at Maryland, demonstrates a perseverance to excel that is worthy of recognizing.
Dixon was a clear winner in the balloting of an elite nine-member selection panel of basketball coaches and media. Other finalists included Dan Dickau of Gonzaga, Lynn Greer of Temple, Jobey Thomas of Charlotte and Steve Logan of Cincinnati.
The Chip Hilton Award was first presented by Chip Hilton Sports in 1997 as a means to honor a player who demonstrates character in leading his team and outstanding performance within his level of competition. The Hall of Fame joined as a presenter of the award in 1998. The variety of past winners indicates the breadth of college basketball, as it is conducted in different leagues and at different schools.
