Sunday, January 10, 2010

2009 Dapper Dan nominees and memories, moments & miracles

Sunday, January 10, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/

LAS VEGAS - JUNE 18: Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins poses with the Art Ross Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy following the 2009 NHL Awards at the Palms Casino Resort on June 18, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2009 SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

• Dion Lewis -- Pitt tailback ... The true freshman was named the Big East's Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Eclipsed Tony Dorsett's freshman rushing record with 1,799 yards for the season and was recently named National Freshman of the Year by Sporting News.

• Evgeni Malkin -- Penguins center ...Helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup championship and was named playoff MVP, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. Also led the league in scoring with 113 points in the regular season and was awarded the Art Ross Trophy.

• Ben Roethlisberger -- Steelers quarterback ... Led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory in February then set a record in 2009 as the first quarterback in Steelers history to throw for 4,000 yards or more in a season. Was named the team's MVP for the first time in his six-year career.

• Ray Shero -- Penguins GM ... Architect of the team that won the 2009 Stanley Cup. Made several moves including the installation of Dan Bylsma as head coach in February and roster acquisitions at the trade deadline that had a huge impact on the Penguins' success.

• Dave Wannstedt -- Pitt football coach ... A graduate of Baldwin and the University of Pittsburgh, led Pitt back to the national stage and top 15 ranking with 10 wins for the first time since 1981 including a win at the Meineke Car Care Bowl in December.

Penn State's Kelsey Ream (8) holds the trophy after Penn State's win over Texas in the NCAA college volleyball national championship match Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. Penn State won 22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-13.(AP)

2009 SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

• Meghan Klingenberg -- North Carolina soccer player ... A Pine-Richland graduate who is one of the star players for the Tar Heels' 2009 national championship soccer team and a midfielder for the U.S. national team.

• Suzie McConnell-Serio -- Duquesne women's basketball coach ... Pittsburgh native and Dukes coach since 2007 has guided the team toward national respectability by winning 20 games last season and earning a WNIT trip, then upsetting Pitt in December, their first win against a ranked team since 1994.

• Carol Sprague -- Pitt Sr. Associate Athletics Director ... Recognized for her tireless efforts to help bring the women's basketball program into the national spotlight and was instrumental in bringing the NCAA women's basketball championship opening rounds to Petersen Events Center in 2010.

• Penn State Women's Volleyball Team -- Made NCAA history, becoming the first team ever to win three consecutive NCAA national championships and winning 102 matches in a row, a feat topped only by the University of Miami men's tennis team for longest streak ever (137).

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs with the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Getty Images)

BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

• Dion Lewis -- Named Big East Offensive Player of the Year in his freshman season and rushed for 1,799 yards.

• Andrew McCutchen -- Hit .286 with 12 HRs and 54 RBIs in 108 games for the Pirates as a rookie. Stole 22 bases.

• Rashard Mendenhall -- Led Steelers with 1,108 rushing yards in his first full season and scored eight TDs.

• Mike Wallace -- Steelers rookie caught 39 passes for 759 yards and six TDs, including last-second, game-winning catch vs. Green Bay.

MEMORIES, MOMENTS & MIRACLES

Reuters Pictures

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison runs back an interception 100 yards, the longest in Super Bowl history, for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals that ended the second quarter of the NFL's Super Bowl XLIII football game in Tampa, Florida, February 1, 2009. The Cardinals Mike Gandy attempts a late tackle.

2009 BEST PLAY

• Big Return -- James Harrison makes Super Bowl history with a 100-yard interception return for a TD.

• Super Catch -- Santonio Holmes snares a catch for the ages, leading the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII.

• Trick Shot -- Evgeni Malkin launches a backhand flip for a goal vs. Carolina in the Eastern Conference final.

• Great Save -- Marc-Andre Fleury makes brilliant save in Game 7 on Nicklas Lidstrom to win Stanley Cup.

Getty Images

DETROIT - JUNE 12: Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 2-1 to win Game Seven and the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on June 12, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.

2009 BEST SPORTS MOMENT

• Sixburgh --- The Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl in dramatic fashion in Tampa, Fla.

• Magnifique -- Mario Lemieux hoists the Stanley Cup then hands it off to captain Sidney Crosby as the Penguins celebrate triumph in Detroit.

• Three Deep -- Andrew McCutchen hits three homers vs. Washington on an electrified night at PNC Park.

• Graduation Day -- Duquesne's Sam Ashaolu graduates after near fatal shooting and becomes an inspiration to the university.

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First published on January 10, 2010 at 12:00 am

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