March 17, 2004
Detroit, Mich. – Notre Dame defenseman Neil Komadoski (Sr., Chesterfield, Mo.) was named the winner of the CCHA’s fourth annual Mike and Marian Ilitch Humanitarian Award as the league’s top citizen. Komadoski received the prestigious honor on Wednesday night at the annual CCHA awards banquet held at the Fox Theatre.
Komadoski was recognized for his community service work performed in both the Notre Dame and South Bend communities. For the last three years, the senior defenseman has been involved with the Notre Dame Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), serving as chairman of SAAC’s community service committee this year.
Last May, Komadoski represented Notre Dame at the 2003 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Along with his teammates, the 22-year-old alternate captain has been involved with the team’s yearly pediatric Christmas Party, Christmas in April, Habitat for Humanity and the annual Downs Syndrome Buddy Walk.
The Mike and Marian Ilitch Award is presented each year to the league’s top citizen based on their contributions off the ice as well as on, to his team, his program, his school and his community.
Earlier this season, Komadoski was named as one of 14 nominees for college hockey’s Humanitarian Award that goes to college hockey’s top citizen.
The league also presented its major awards on Wednesday night with four members of the Irish hockey program being named finalists in their categories.
Senior defenseman Brett Lebda (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) was one of three finalists for the league’s top offensive defenseman award. Team captains Aaron Gill (Sr., Rochester, Minn.) was a finalist for the league’s top defensive forward and goaltender David Brown (Fr., Stoney Creek, Ont.) was one of three finalists for rookie of the year.
Irish head coach Dave Poulin also was a finalist for the CCHA coach of the year award along with Michigan’s Red Berenson and Miami’s Enrico Blasi.
Notre Dame opens its third consecutive season at the CCHA Super Six on Thursday, March 18 when the Irish open play versus Ohio State. Faceoff is set for 7:35 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena.
2003-04 CCHA Award Winners
Player of the Year: Derek Edwardson, Miami
Coach of the Year: Enrico Blasi, Miami
Rookie of the Year: T.J. Hensick, Michigan
Terry Flanagan Memorial Award: Aaron Voros, Alaska Fairbanks
(for dedication and perserverance)
Ilitch Humanitarian: Neil Komadoski, Notre Dame
Top Offensive Defenseman: A.J. Thelen, Michigan State
Best Defensive Defenseman: Doug Andress, Ohio State
Best Defensive Forward: Dwight Helminen, Michigan