a-mcmillen-112498.jpg
Sheila McMillen is a
co-recipient of the Francis
Patrick O’Connor Award.
 

Notre Dame Honors Athletes at Fifth All-Sports Banquet

University presents Francis Patrick O’Connor and Chris Zorich Service awards.

April 28, 1999

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame Athletic Department honored more than 700 student-athletes from its 26 varsity sports at its fifth annual All-Sports Banquet held at the Joyce Center Fieldhouse.

Two of the University’s three major athletic awards were presented: The Francis Patrick O’Connor Award and The Chris Zorich Service Award. In addition, a member of each team was selected for the Notre Dame Club St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award and the Notre Dame National Monogram Club MVP.

Women’s basketball standout Sheila McMillen (Rochester, Ind.) and men’s tennis player Brian Patterson (Falmouth, Maine) are this year’s recipients of the Francis Patrick O’Connor Award. Since 1993, the University has presented this award named for a student-athlete who died in 1973 following his freshman year at Notre Dame. Pat O’Connor was the son of William “Bucky” O’Connor who played guard in football for Notre Dame in the 1940s. The award honors one female and one male student-athlete who best display the total embodiment of the true spirit of Notre Dame as exemplified by their contributions and inspiration to their respective teams.

To be considered, the student-athletes must possess those qualities attributed to Pat O’Connor himself — caring, courage, confidence, encouragement, humility, honesty, humor, kindness and patience.

McMillen finished her career as Notre Dame’s career three-point leader. A second-team all-BIG EAST selection, she set the Irish mark for career three-pointers (249) and also established the single-season mark of 98 during the 1998-99 campaign. McMillen ranked fourth nationally in three-point field goals made (3.2) and was eight in free throw percentage (.871). A two-time captain, she finished her career with 1,439 (sixth all-time) and is the only Notre Dame women’s basketball player to appear in four NCAA tournaments.

Patterson owns an 18-6 singles record this season, including a 16-2 record in dual matches at number two singles, and enters the NCAA championship riding a 12-match winning streak. He has a 12-0 record against Midwest region opponents in 1999, dropping just three sets in those 12 matches. Patterson and teammate Ryan Sachire are ranked 50th nationally while playing number one doubles with a 15-9 record. Also a co-captain, Patterson is the only player under 12th-year head coach Bob Bayliss to win 80 singles and doubles matches with his 83-38 singles record and 82-42 doubles record.

Lindsey Treadwell (Austin, Texas) is the winner of The Christopher Zorich Award which was first presented last year. It was created to recognize the contributions of Notre Dame student-athletes to the University community and the community at-large. The award holds the name of Christopher Zorich, a two-time football All-American and 1991 graduate.

Treadwell is Notre Dame’s career leader in hitting percentage (.293). A first-team all-BIG EAST choice in 1998, she captained the Irish women’s volleyball team to its fourth consecutive BIG EAST tournament title. She led Notre Dame to a second round appearance in the 1999 NCAA Championship.

Treadwell, an active participant in the Notre Dame Life Skills Program, was president of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) as well as the University’s representative to the BIG EAST Conference on that committee. She coordinated the annual Christmas Party and Easter Egg Hunt for youths in the South Bend community and initiated volleyball clinics for minority students.

The Byron V. Kanaley Awards, the most prestigious honors presented to senior monogram athletes who have been exemplary as both students and athletes, were announced last week. The 1999 recipients include: men’s track and field star Mike Brown (Rancho Sante Fe, Calif.), women’s lacrosse captain Kerry Callahan (Churchville, Pa.), tennis All-American Jennfer Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.), men’s soccer captain Phil Murphy (Brentwood, Tenn.) and men’s tennis player Andy Warford (Bismark, N.D.). The winners are selected by the Faculty Board on Athletics and have been chosen since 1927 in honor of Kanaley, a 1904 graduate who was a member of the baseball and later enjoyed a successful banking career.

1999 Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Winners:

Baseball                     Jeff Perconte (Arlington Heights, Ill.)Men's Basketball             Paul Rainey (Hattieville, Ark.)Women's Basketball           Ruth Riley (Macy, Ind.)Women's Cross Country        Patti Rice (Mishawaka, Ind.)Men's Cross Country          Tim Engelhardt (East Syracuse, N.Y.)Women's Track and Field      Alison Klemmer (East Syracuse, N.Y.)Men's Track and Field        Mike Brown (Rancho Sante Fe, Calif.)Women's Fencing              Nicole Paulina (South Orange, N.J.)Men's Fencing                Tim Monahan (Arcola, Ill.)Football                     Bobbie Howard (Rand, W. Va.)Men's Golf                   Brad Hardin (Martinsville, Ind.)Women's Golf                 Beth Cooper (Kalamazoo, Mich.)Hockey                       Forrest Karr (DeForest, Wis.)Women's Lacrosse             Kerry Callahan (Churchville, Pa.)Rowing                       Lezlie Potter (Englewood, Colo.)Men's Soccer                 David Cutler (Seattle, Wash.)Women's Soccer               Meotis Erickson (Kennewick, Wash.)Softball                     Danielle Klayman (San Diego, Calif.)Men's Swimming               Michael Doyle (Hales Corner, Wis.)Women's Swimming             Brittany Kline (Crystal Lake, Ill.)Men's Tennis                 Brian Patterson (Falmouth, Maine)Women's Tennis               Jennifer Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.)Volleyball                   Lindsay Treadwell (Austin, Texas)

1999 Notre Dame National Monogram Club MVP Award Winners:

Baseball                    Brant Ust (Redmond, Wash.)Men's Basketball            Troy Murphy (Morristown, N.J.)Women's Basketball          Niele Ivey (St. Louis, Mo.)                            Sheila McMillen (Rochester, Ind.)Women's Cross Country       JoAnna Deeter (Glen Ellyn, Ill.)Men's Cross Country         Ryan Shay (Central Lake, Mich.)Women's Track and Field     Joanna Deeter (Glen Ellyn, Ill.)Men's Track and Field       Marshaun West (Sikeston, Mo.)Women's Fencing             Nicole Mustilli (South Orange, N.J.)Men's Fencing               Gabor Szelle (Budapest, Hungary)Football                    Autry Denson (Lauderhill, Fla.)Men's Golf                  Brad Hardin (Martinsville, Ind.)Women's Golf                Mary Klein (Kokomo, Ind.)Hockey                      Forrest Karr (DeForest, Wis.)Women's Lacrosse            Tina Fedarcyk (Millersville, Md.)Rowing                      Katie Fox (Bloomington, Minn.)Men's Soccer                Phil Murphy (Brentwood, Tenn.)Women's Soccer              Jenny Heft (Germantown, Wis.)Softball                    Kris McCleary (Westerville, Ohio)                            Amy Laboe (Monroe, Mich.)Men's Swimming              Ray Fitzpatrick (Doylestown, Pa.)Women's Swimming            Carrie Nixon (Ouray, Colo.)Men's Tennis                Ryan Sachire (Canfield, Ohio)Women's Tennis              Michelle Dasso (Long Grove, Ill.)Volleyball                  Lindsay Treadwell (Austin, Texas)

Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph ValleyRockne Student-Athlete Awards

Baseball Student-Athlete

Versatile player who was starter at both third base and right field untila season-ending shoulder injury Ranked third on the team in hitting at .323, including a .400 mark withrunners in scoring position, at the time he was hurt Member of Academic Honors Program 3.654 GPA as economics major in College of Arts and Letters Junior from Arlington Heights, IllinoisJeff Perconte

Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete

Four-year member of Irish squad who was awarded a scholarship as a seniorin 1998-99 One of four captains this past season, he played in 27 games and startedonce Member of Academic Honors Program Graduated last May with 3.52 GPA as finance and computer applicationsmajor in College of Business Administration and currently is working on amasteris degree in accounting Senior from Hattieville, ArkansasPaul Rainey

Women’s Basketball Student-Athlete

Third-team Associated Press All-American in 1998-99, after leading teamin scoring and rebounding Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, led the nation in field-goalpercentage and was the only unanimous first-team all-BIG EAST pick Named to GTE District V Academic All-America team Member of Academic Honors Program 3.619 GPA in College of Arts and Letters Sophomore from Macy, IndianaRuth Riley

Women’s Cross Country Student-Athlete

Notre Dameis #2 runner throughout ’98, finishing in the top 10 in herfirst two meets of the seasons Finished 27th at both the BIG EAST and NCAA District IV Championships Member of Academic Honors Program 3.8 GPA as English major in College of Arts and Letters Junior from Mishawaka, IndianaPatti Rice

Men’s Cross Country Student-Athlete

Had three top 20 finishes, including sixth at the National CatholicChampionships and 18th at the BIG EAST Championships 3.667 GPA as sociology major in College of Arts and Letters Senior from East Syracuse, New York Captain of the team in ’98Tim Engelhardt

Women’s Track Student-Athlete

An automatic qualifier for the i99 NCAA outdoor meet in the 10,000 meters A ’98 outdoor All-American, she also has qualified on provisional basisin the outdoor 5,000 meters Member of Academic Honors Program 3.791 GPA as biology major in College of Science Junior from Troy, MichiganAlison Klemmer

Men’s Track Student-Athlete

1999 NCAA indoor track All-American after placing sixth in pole vault atschool record 17-10 1/2 Three-time BIG EAST indoor champion and already has broken his own NotreDame outdoor record Received $2,000 post-graduate scholarship from BIG EAST Conference asNotre Dameis menis Target Scholar-Athlete Award winner Member of Academic Honors Program 3.456 GPA as pre-professional major in College of Science Senior from Rancho Sante Fe, California Irish captain is winner of this award for second straight yearMike Brown

Women’s Fencing Student-Athlete

Captain of Irish foil team in ’99 Finished with a 64-23 record in ’99 3.268 GPA as accounting major in College of Business Administration Senior from South Orange, New JerseyNicole Paulina

Men’s Fencing Student-Athlete

Captain of menis epee team in ’99 Had 14-8 record in i99 season 3.608 GPA as finance major in College of Business Administration Senior from Arcola, IllinoisTim Monahan

Football Student-Athlete

Notre Dameis leading tackler in ’98 with 119 Played more minutes than any other player on defense last season One of three captains for 1998 3.0 GPA as finance major in College of Business Administration Senior from Rand, West Virginia Winner of this award for second straight yearBobbie Howard

Men’s Golf Student-Athlete

Four-year starter for Irish menis team and a captain in 1998-99 Stands second on team in ’99 with 74.77 stroke average that ranks asthird best average in the 1990s at Notre Dame Member of Academic Honors Program 3.679 GPA as pre-professional major in College of Science Senior from Martinsville, Indiana Will attend Indiana University Medical School Winner of this award for third straight yearBradley Hardin

Women’s Golf Student-Athlete

Three-year starter for Irish Ranks as veteran of squad in terms of career rounds played Members of Academic Honors Program 3.72 GPA as finance major in College of Business Administration Junior from Kalamazoo, MichiganBeth Cooper

Hockey Student-Athlete

Set Notre Dame season goaltending record in 1998-99 with his 2.58goals-against average Set another record with his 2.92 career goals-against average Member of Academic Honors Program 3.73 GPA as finance major in College of Business Administration Senior from DeForest, WisconsinForrest Karr

Women’s Lacrosse Student-Athlete

1999 team captain ranked second in scoring in ’99 with 67 points Scored at least one goal in 29 straight games to finish her career and inall but one game in her three-year varsity career Led the nation in assists for several weeks, finishing the season with 32 Member of Academic Honors Program 3.705 GPA as communications and theatre major in College of Arts and Letters Senior from Churchville, PennsylvaniaKerry Callahan

Rowing Student-Athlete

Competes with Notre Dameis lightweight eight boat thatis currently ranked12th nationally 3.792 GPA as electrical engineering major in College of Engineering Senior from Englewood, ColoradoLezlie Potter

Men’s Soccer Student-Athlete

Three-year monogram winner who started all but five games he played induring his career as midfielder and defender Member of Academic Honors Program 3.75 GPA in College of Architecture Member of Tau Sigma Delta, the architectural honor society Senior from Seattle, Washington Winner of this award for second straight yearDavid Cutler

Women’s Soccer Student-Athlete

Ranked fifth in scoring in ’98 with 10 goals and eight assists Member of Academic Honors Program 3.524 GPA as communications and theatre major in College of Arts and Letters Sophomore from Kennewick, WashingtonMeotis Erikson

Softball Student-Athlete

Two-year starter for Irish in the outfield Currently hitting .265 and leading the team in triples Led the team in hitting as a freshman at .343 and was all-BIG EAST Member of Academic Honors Program 3.529 GPA in College of Business Administration Sophomore from San Diego, CaliforniaDanielle Klayman

Men’s Swimming Student-Athlete

Two-year monogram winner Champion in the 50 freestyle at the ’99 Shamrock Classic 3.143 GPA as management information systems major in College of BusinessAdministration Senior from Hales Corner, WisconsinMichael Doyle

Women’s Swimming co-Student-Athlete #1

Champion in both the 100 and 200 backstroke at the ’99 Shamrock Classic 3.657 GPA as mathematics major in College of Science Senior from Cincinnati, OhioMeghan Eckstein

Women’s Swimming co-Student-Athlete #2

’99 NCAA participant in four events BIG EAST champion in the 200 medley relay and earned honorable mentionAll-America honors in that same event Member of Academic Honors Program 3.510 GPA as management information systems major in College of BusinessAdministration Senior from Crystal Lake, IllinoisBrittany Kline

Men’s Tennis Student-Athlete

Plays #2 singles in i99 and has a 16-2 record at that spot, including acurrent 12-match winning streak Is ranked 50th nationally while playing #1 doubles with Ryan Sachire Irish co-captain in 1999 3.523 GPA as American studies major in College of Arts and Letters Senior from Falmouth, Maine Winner of this award for second straight yearBrian Patterson

Women’s Tennis Student-Athlete

Ranks 56th nationally with 23-4 record at #2 singles position as ’99 teamcaptain Plays doubles with Michelle Dasso and theyire ranked seventh nationally Her 110 career singles victories are a Notre Dame record Member of Academic Honors Program 3.489 GPA as accounting major in College of Business Administration Senior from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Winner of this award for second straight yearJennifer Hall

Volleyball Student-Athlete

Notre Dameis career leader in hitting percentage First-team all-BIG EAST pick also was a District Five GTE AcademicAll-America selection Captain of the team in ’98 3.348 GPA as American studies major in College of Arts and Letters Senior from Austin, TexasLindsay Treadwell

Notre Dame NationalMonogram Club MVP Awards

Baseball MVP

Irish shortstop ranks third in hitting on a career basis at Notre Dame at.375 Leads Irish in 1999 with .382 mark and 15 home runs Could challenge BIG EAST record for batting average in league games Has started all 162 games in his career Junior from Redmond, WashingtonBrant Ust

Men’s Basketball MVP

BIG EAST Conference Rookie of the Year in 1999 Led Irish in both scoring and rebounding, breaking the Notre Dame recordfor most points by a freshman Led the BIG EAST in both rebounding and field-goal percentage and was asecond-team all-BIG EAST pick Freshman from Morristown, New JerseyTroy Murphy

Women’s Basketball co-MVP #1

Irish point guard was third-team all-BIG EAST selection Led team in assists and steals and also averaged 13.2 points Finished ninth nationally in free-throw percentage and 13th in assists Junior from St. Louis, MissouriNiele Ivey

Women’s Basketball co-MVP #2

Second-team all-BIG EAST performer in ’99 Set Notre Dame career and season records for three-point shooting Averaged 15.4 points per game in e98-i99, including 98 three-point goals Only player in Notre Dame womenis basketball history to play in four NCAAtournament Senior from Rochester, IndianaSheila McMillen

Women’s Cross Country MVP

First ever two-time women’s cross country All-American at Notre Dame Finished 14th at ’98 NCAA Championships Finished third at BIG EAST meet, second in NCAA District IV meet Junior from Glen Ellyn, IllinoisJoAnna Deeter

Men’s Cross Country MVP

Notre Dameis representative at the ’98 NCAA Cross Country Championships An all-BIG EAST performer who won the National Catholic Invitational andwas runnerup in two other invitationals Sophomore from Central Lake, MichiganRyan Shay

Women’s Track MVP

Has set four Notre Dame records in 1999 while earning All-America honorsin indoor track with a sixth-place finish in the 5,000 meters BIG EAST indoor champion in both 3,000 and 5,000 Already has qualified for the NCAA 10,000 and 5,000 outdoors and is aprovisional qualifer in the 3,000 Junior from Glen Ellyn, Illinois Winner of this award for second straight yearJoAnna Deeter

Men’s Track MVP

Finished sixth in the long jump at the 1999 NCAA indoor meet to earnAll-America honors BIG EAST champion in the 200 meters in ’99 Broke 14-year-old Notre Dame record in long jump with 25-6 3/4 leap Junior from Sikeston, MissouriMarshaun West

Women’s Fencing MVP

Earned All-America honors in 1999 for second straight year Finished fifth at NCAA meet in epee and had 73-11 overall record Senior from South Orange, New Jersey Winner of this award for second straight yearNicole Mustilli

Men’s Fencing MVP

Earned All-America honors in ’99 after finishing as sabre runnerup atNCAA Championships Won Midwest championship and finished with overall 56-2 record Freshman from Budapest, HungaryGabor Szelle

Football MVP

Notre Dame’s all-time rushing leader with 4,318 yards Earned second-team All-America honors in ’98 while topping the 1,000-yardmark in rushing for the third straight year Set Irish record with 22 regular-season 100-yard games Senior from Lauderhill, Florida Winner of this award for second straight yearAutry Denson

Men’s Golf MVP

Led team in ’99 with six top 20 finishes in 11 events Was runnerup out of 100 golfers at Louisville Intercollegiate andMarshall Invitational Senior from Martinsville, IndianaBrad Hardin

Women’s Golf MVP

Led team in last three tournaments, finishing season with 82.7 stroke average Tied for sixth at Notre Dame Invitational in Bonita Springs, Fla. Has third best career average at Notre Dame at 82.35 Sophomore from Kokomo, IndianaMary Klein

Hockey MVP

Started every game in goal for Irish this season and finished with 4-4-3record against top 10 teams Allowed three or fewer goals in 19 of his last 21 games Senior from DeForest, WisconsinForrest Karr

Women’s Lacrosse MVP

Defensive midfielder led team in caused turnovers Team leader in ground balls and draw controlsFreshman from Millersville, MarylandTina Fedarcyk

Rowing MVP

Competed with varsity eight boat in ’99 Senior from Bloomington, Minnesota Captain of first varsity team this seasonKatie Fox

Men’s Soccer MVP

Anchor of Irish defense that permitted only 20 goals all season Two-year starter was top Irish marking back and team co-captain in ’98 First-team GTE fall-winter at-large Academic All-American thanks to 3.908grade-point average Senior from Brentwood, Tennessee Winner of this award for second straight yearPhil Murphy

Women’s Soccer MVP

Set Notre Dame season record with 28 goals in ’98 First-team all-BIG EAST and all-region selection Junior from Germantown, WisconsinJenny Heft

Softball co-MVP #1

Catcher and four-year starter has .321 average in ’99, including .429mark in league games Shares team lead in home runs with seven Co-captain of squad in e99 Senior from Westerville, OhioKris McCleary

Softball co-MVP #2

Irish first baseman boasts overall .307 average Has three home runs and has hit .425 in conference play Co-captain of squad in 1999Senior from Monroe, MichiganAmy Laboe

Men’s Swimming MVP

Six-time school record holder Named all-BIG EAST in six events in i99 Swam anchor leg on winning 400 freestyle relay team at i99 BIG EASTChampionships Junior from Doylestown, PennsylvaniaRay Fitzpatrick

Women’s Swimming MVP

Three-time honorable mention All-American at the i99 NCAA Championships Swam in six events at the NCAA meet Won five events at the i99 BIG EAST Championships Sophomore from Ouray, ColoradoCarrie Nixon

Men’s Tennis MVP

Currently ranked third nationally in singles with 37-7 record A Collegiate Grand Slam finalist who also ranks 50th nationally in doubles Selected outstanding player at BIG EAST Championships last weekend Junior from Canfield, Ohio Winner of this award for the third straight yearRyan Sachire

Women’s Tennis MVP

One of five players in the country who rank in the top 10 in both singlesand doubles Stands #8 in singles with 30-9 overall record and 21-4 mark in dual meetsand current 12-match win streak Stands #7 in doubles with 25-8 record Sophomore from Long Grove, Illinois Winner of this award for second straight yearMichelle Dasso

Volleyball MVP

Notre Dameis all-time leader in career hitting percentage i98 all-BIG EAST selection who also was all-district pick by the AmericanVolleyball Coaches Association i98 team captain who was a district Academic All-America pick Senior from Austin, TexasLindsay Treadwell