Jan. 6, 2006

ST. LOUIS - Maryland's Jason Garey capped off his spectacular career Friday night with college soccer's top individual award, the Missouri Athletic Club (M.A.C.) Hermann Trophy. Garey, who helped the Terrapins to their first national championship in 37 years, is the first University of Maryland player to win the award.

Garey earned the nod over finalists Indiana's Brian Plotkin and New Mexico's Jeff Rowland. He was presented the crystal trophy at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

"This is truly a great honor," Garey said. "This award is very special for me, my teammates and the University of Maryland. Even though this is the highest individual award, this is a reflection of the hard work a lot of people on this year's team and from teams past have put in, and I am humbled by it."

"What a tremendous honor for Jason," head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "I couldn't be happier or more proud of an individual accomplishment. In addition to his great ability to score, Jason is made of the best stuff on earth with his persistence, hard work and humility. He has been rightly recognized with this award."

"The University of Maryland is extraordinarily proud of Jason," said athletics director Deborah A. Yow, who attended Friday night's ceremony with Garey and Cirovski. "It is a remarkable feat to lead your team to the national championship, win the nation's player of the year award and be the national academic All-American of the year.

Garey adds the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy to the litany of other individual awards earned this season, including ACC Offensive Player of the Year, consensus All-America honors, Soccer America and Sports Illustrated On Campus Player of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year and NSCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year.