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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Boardman, Toresco Share Top Honor As Football Hands Out 2007 Team Awards
November 28, 2007 | Football
Senior linebacker Tim Boardman led Princeton in tackles for a second straight season. Senior running back Rob Toresco graduated with more touchdowns than any member of the Class of 2008 and became only the second running back to catch 100 career passes. Both shared the top team honor in Princeton football, the John P. Poe-Richard W. Kazmaier Trophy. Twelve players earned team honors at the Donold B. Lourie '22 Football Banquet.
The John P. Poe-Richard W. Kazmaier
Trophy
Awarded to that member of the Princeton football team of good moral character who, during the season in addition to proving himself a player of ability, has best exemplified the following traits and characteristics: loyalty and devotion to Princeton's football interests, courage, manliness, self-control and modesty, perseverance and determination under discouraging conditions, observance of the rules of the game and fairness towards opponents.
Boardman ranked sixth in the Ivy League with 8.4 tackles per game. He recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and added a pass breakup as one of the premier run stoppers in the league. He had double-digit tackle performances in two Ivy League games, including a 12-stop effort at Penn. He led Princeton in tackles for a second straight season, although he had 32 more stops in 2007 than he did last season.
Toresco, who became the eighth Princeton player and only the second running back to catch 100 passes in his career, led Princeton with 41 receptions this season. He averaged 38.8 receiving yards and 34.6 rushing yards per game while redefining the fullback position for the Tigers. He scored 14 touchdowns in his career, including the Ivy-clinching score in the 2006 finale, and he ran for a touchdown in his final game, a 17-14 overtime win against Dartmouth.
The Charles W. Caldwell Memorial Trophy
Awarded to that senior member of the varsity football squad who has shown the greatest improvement in football during his years at Princeton. In memory of Charles W. Caldwell ?25, head coach of Princeton football from 1945-1957.
Senior co-captain Jon Stem earned this honor after recorded 41 tackles, including two for loss, in his second season as a Princeton starter. After playing mainly on special teams in his first two years, Stem became a starting linebacker for Princeton's 2006 Ivy League championship team and was voted co-captain after only 10 starts. He recorded several big plays over his two seasons and grew into a consistent and dependable force on the Tiger defense.
The Dr. Harry Roemer McPhee Award
Awarded annually to a member of the football squad who has determined the qualities of durability and fortitude.
Senior defensive lineman Aaron Carter overcame one major knee injury to work his way into the defensive line rotation during his senior season. When junior Tom Methvin was injured against Hampton, Carter received his chance for significant playing time. Unfortunately, he reinjured his knee prior to the Harvard game, but he was determined to give it a shot. It would turn into a season-ending injury, but his fortitude that allowed him to take the field, even for one play, was an inspiration to his teammates and coaches.
The Ronald A. Rogerson Award
Awarded annually to that member of the football team whose spirit and love of the game have served as a special inspiration to his fellow players. In memory of Ronald A. Rogerson, head coach from 1985-1986.
Juniors Adam Berry and Matt Koch shared the Rogerson Award after serving as team leaders on both sides of the ball. Berry caught 26 passes, averaging 16.2 yards per catch, and scored two touchdowns. When injuries began to plague the position, Berry served as an on-field coach for freshmen Trey Peacock and Matt Ransom, who received significant time during the final month of the season. Koch earned All-Ivy honorable mention after leading all Princeton defensive linemen with 37 tackles, including 12 solo stops, and 3.5 tackles for loss. The nose guard also recorded two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry on the season.
The Richard W. Colman Award
Awarded annually to that senior member of the football team who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship, athletic skill, team contribution and sportsmanship. In memory of Dick Colman, head football coach from 1957-1968.
Senior co-captain Brendan Circle earned this honor. Circle, who suffered an injury that limited him in the final three games, caught 27 passes for 47.5 yards per game in his final season. A 2006 first-team All-Ivy selection, he showed his talents when he was healthy. He caught eight passes for 140 yards in the win over Cornell and added a 39-yard touchdown pass at Brown. His late third-down conversion helped Princeton defeat a ranked Lafayette squad early in the season, and he even ran a fake field goal 22 yards for a touchdown against Cornell. Circle was also a Draddy Award semifinalist, which honors both academic and athletic excellence.
The Class Of '52 Award
Established in 1988 by the Class of 1952 as a mark of their love, devotion and service. Awarded annually to that member of the football team who has excelled on special teams play, exemplifying pride, hustle and determination.
Junior Ryan Coyle and senior Ray Simnick shared this award. Coyle, the 2007 first-team All-Ivy League punter, averaged 43.1 yards per punt in 10 games and 43.2 yards per punt in Ivy League games. He averaged more than 46 yards per punt in four of seven Ivy League games, including an impressive 47.0-yard average in seven punts at Harvard. He had a long punt of 69 yards in the 20-14 win at Lafayette and pinned the opposing team inside the 20-yard-line 13 times. Simnick did it all on special teams, both on the return and coverage teams, and he added a fourth-down conversion on a fake punt at Penn this season.
The Henry T. “Hank” Towns h82 Award
Awarded annually to that senior football player who has actively mentored younger athletes, demonstrated great devotion to Princeton and made contributions to the community at large to bring honor to Princeton football.
Senior safety Kevin Kelleher became the fifth winner of this award. He finished second on the team with 71 tackles and had two key interceptions in Princeton's Ivy League-opening win over Columbia. He has been a longtime starter and helped clinch a 31-28 win over Harvard last season with two interceptions in the final minutes. He was the leader of a young defensive backfield as well, helping players like Cart Kelly and Dan Kopolovich grow into strong players in the Tigers' defensive schemes.
The Donold B. Lourie Award
Awarded annually to that freshman offensive player who, by his ability, conduct and attitude, has most clearly demonstrated in the best Princeton tradition the qualities of leadership and the spirit of amateur athletics.
Freshman wide receiver Trey Peacock averaged 8.2 yards on six catches after moving into the starting lineup late in the season. The 6-3, 190-pound freshman showed he would be a force in the Princeton offense in the coming years as he picked up the system more each game he played.
The Harland “Pink” Baker '22 Award
Established in 1981 by the Friends of Princeton Football in honor of Harland “Pink” Baker ?22, varsity letterman on the “Team of Destiny” and longtime friend of Princeton football players. Awarded annually to that freshman defensive player of good moral character who has proven himself an intelligent and stalwart player and who has demonstrated a cooperative spirit and an ability to motivate his teammates.
Freshman Meko McCray impressed the coaches enough to earn consistent play in special teams, and his will and tenacity should make him a strong figure on either special teams or on the defense in the coming seasons.