COCKEYSVILLE, Md. - A crowd of 350 people gathered as fans, alumni, family and friends turned out at the Valley Mansion on Friday evening as the Tiger football team celebrated its Colonial Athletic Association championship.
Dr. Maravene Loeschke, the president of Towson University, opened the evening with her own salute to the team.
"Do you young men understand how much you have given to this University?," Dr. Loeschke asked. "I'm not just talking about the wins and the championship. I am also talking about your commitment to your academics and the leadership role you have played in community service projects. You are tremendous role models on this campus and we are very appreciative."
After the crowd was treated to videos recapping the 2011 season, the members of the CAA championship team received their championship rings.
The Tiger football team also announced the winners of its team awards.
Defensive tackle Marcus Valentine, who graduated in January, was the winner of the Doc Minnegan Award, presented to the team's Most Valuable Player. A three-year starter on the defensive line, he was one of the Tiger co-captains. As a senior, he finished tenth on the team with 34 tackles. He finished his career with 149 tackles, including 7.5 sacks and 24 tackles for lost yardage.
Valentine is the fifth defensive lineman to be named as the Tigers' MVP. He joins former All-American Rodney Smith (1989), All-American Andrew Hollingsworth (2000), Brady Smith (2009) and Yaky Ibia (2010) as defensive linemen to win the MVP award.
For the first time ever, there were co-winners of the Tigers' Offensive Player of the Year award. Quarterback Grant Enders and running back Terrance West shared the award.
Enders was the starter in 11 of the Tigers' 12 games last season and the CAA in passing efficiency. Named as the CAA Offensive Player of the Week twice, he completed 165 of 248 passes for 2,081 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was also the Tigers' second-leading rusher with 387 yards on 91 carries and five TD's.
The winner of the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the nation, West led the nation with 29 touchdowns scored. A first team All-American, he was the CAA Player of the Week twice and he earned the CAA Rookie of the Week award four times. He was the second-leading rusher in the CAA with 1,294 yards on 194 carries.
Defensive back Jordan Dangerfield was honored as the winner of the Tigers' Defensive Player of the Year award. The team leader with 93 tackles in ten games, he earned first team All-CAA notice and first team All-America honors from The College Sports Journal. He ranked second in the CAA for tackles by defensive backs.
Freshman Derrick Joseph, who led the CAA with a 27.9 kickoff return average, was named as the Tigers' Special Teams Player of the Year award winner. Senior tackle Henry Glackin, a four-year who was named second team All-CAA, was the winner of the Tiger Award.
For the second year in a row, senior quarterback Brian Potts was the winner of the Tiger Scholar-Athlete Award.
The Tigers' three Scout Team awards went to freshman running back Clayton Minott, freshman defensive end Tyler Magill and freshman receiver Arione Scott. Minott won the Offensive Player of the Year award while Magill was the Defensive Player of the Year. Scott was the Special Teams Award winner.
Peter Schlehr, the recently retired Director of Athletics Media Relations, was the winner of the Ed Molen Service To Tiger Football Award. The Tigers' SID Emeritus, he worked 379 consecutive Tiger football games from 1975 to 2011.
