Oct. 15, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men's lacrosse team and head coach Dave Cottle welcomed back the 2006 seniors that led the Terps to back-to-back NCAA Final Fours, on Sunday, October 15, for the annual awards banquet at Heritage Hall in the Comcast Center on the campus of the University of Maryland.

The highlight of the afternoon's awards was the presentation of the "Big Man" Award, given in honor of former coach Dick Edell. The award was created to honor the player that best exemplified the selfless and positive qualities of the retired coach. The 2006 award was given to Brendan Healy.

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

The Edwin Powell Award, which is presented to the Team MVP, was given to Xander Ritz, who scored numerous big goals for the Terps throughout the season, including the game-winner in overtime over then No. 1 Duke in Durham, N.C.

Other awards given out in honor of individual accomplishments throughout the 2006 season were:

Van Trump Award for best overall attackman: Joe Walters

Deckman-Silber Award for best overall defenseman: Ray Megill and Steve Whittenberg

William Cole Award for best overall midfielder: Bill McGlone

Dan Snyder Award for Most Improved Player: Ryan Clarke

Levitt Memorial Award for the best freshman: Dan Groot

Faber Heagy Award for the team's Unsung Hero: Jimmy Borell

Scholar-Athlete Award: David Tamberrino

Man-Down Award: Scott Slosson

"Be The Best" Strength & Conditioning Award: Ryan Lang

"Iron Terp" for the stongest Terp pound-for-pound: Brendan Healy

Hammer Award for the biggest hitter in 2006: Travis Holmes