Saturday's Banquet Event Program

The North Park football team held its annual Senior Awards Banquet in Hamming Hall Saturday afternoon, where the program recognized its 12 outstanding seniors for the hard work and dedication they've given to the program over the last four years.

North Park finished the season with its best record in the last five years, opening the year with a 3-0 record with wins over Northern Athletics Conference playoff contenders Aurora University and Benedictine University, as well as a 13-10 victory over nationally-ranked Washington University-St. Louis in the third week of the season.

“The dedication these fine young men have given to our program is extraordinary,” said North Park head coach Scott Pethtel, who enters his seventh season at the helm in 2012. “They have exemplified the true character of what it takes to be a leader not only as a member of our football program, but for our University.”

Coach Pethtel introduced the seniors to the group of family, friends and fellow students that gathered for the afternoon's presentation, and team chaplain Michael Thomas began the event with an invocation.
Winning awards for the 2011 season were as follows:

Scout Offensive Player of Year Awards
Running Back Chris Butz, and Offensive Lineman Alex Richardson

Scout Defensive Player of the Year Awards
Linebacker Max Agrella and Defensive Lineman Jake Hankey

Special Teams Most Valuable Player
Punter Mark Howard

Defensive Most Valuable Player
Safety Andrew Saltzman

Offensive Most Valuable Player
Fullback Matt Hassan

Alumni Spirit Award
Linebacker Casey Smagala, Quarterback Evan Rhoads, Offensive Lineman Dave Nieboer (with alums Barrington Price (C'2007), Jerwane Ford (C'2008) and Brian Reif (C'2009)

George Amundsen Viking Warrior Award
Barrington Price, Jerwane Ford, Offensive Linemen Josh Startup, Defensive Back Kyle Edwards and Brian Reif