LORETTO, Pa. (May 19, 2009) – Saint Francis University men’s basketball coach Don Friday announced the creation of team awards and named their recipients during the team’s annual banquet, which was held on April 26 at Amici’s in Ebensburg.

Three players received individual awards, seven players garnered the team’s Academic Excellence Award, and a former player received the inaugural Fast Break Club Award. Red Flash radio personalities Joe Vesnesky and Bernie Jubeck served as co-emcees for the event.

“Our first banquet, although small, was an enjoyable event for the parents and friends who helped celebrate our student-athletes,” Friday said. “When building a program, patience is important, I look forward to celebrating these type of days for many years to come. I always enjoy watching our seniors say their last goodbyes to the basketball family and the looks in their parents’ eyes asking how quickly four years passed.”

Junior swingman Devin Sweetney (Washington, D.C. / Riverdale Baptist) received the team’s Most Valuable Player Award, which is awarded to the player who has had the greatest impact on the team concept. Despite missing six games with a broken hand, Sweetney enjoyed a career-best season from a statistical standpoint. He averaged 16.3 ppg (fifth in the Northeast Conference), 7.9 rpg (third in the NEC), and 1.30 spg (10th in the NEC). He became the 38th player in program history to record 1,000 career points, and put himself in position to become just one of seven players to score 1,300 career points and pull down 650 career rebounds.

Senior Kyle Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Plainfield Central) garnered the Norm Van Lier Award, which is awarded to the player who demonstrates outstanding intensity, spirit and defensive play. Jackson had his best season in a Red Flash uniform by averaging career highs in every category. He started 10 of 26 games in which he played after playing in just 35 over his first two seasons. He averaged 5.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg and added 30 assists, 21 steals and five blocks. He was one of Saint Francis’ most reliable free throw shooters by making 34-of-39 attempts (.872).

“I’m sure that the great Norm Van Lier was watching over us proudly as we presented the inaugural Defensive MVP award in his name,” Friday said. “How appropriate for Kyle Jackson, a Chicago native, to capture this prestigious award.”

Junior Mislav Jukic (Zagreb, Croatia / Life Center Academy) was the recipient of the Coaches Award, which is given to the underclassmen who has made the greatest improvement over the course of the last year. Jukic entered his junior season averaging 2.1 ppg and 1.1 rpg over his first two years. However, he excelled in Friday’s system and finished second on the team in points (10.4 ppg) and rebounds (4.8 rpg). He also led the team with 21 blocks and shot 47.3 percent from the field (113-of-239).

Former Saint Francis men’s basketball player Steve Rogers (1979-82) was awarded the Fast Break Club Award, which is given to an individual for outstanding dedication and commitment towards the success of the Saint Francis basketball family and its student-athletes.

“We are so fortunate to have Steve Rogers and his family so supportive of our student-athletes,” Friday said. “Steve and his wife, Jean, hold Saint Francis in the highest regard.”

The team also handed out its Academic Excellence Award, which is given to the individuals who have maintained a minimum 3.0 grade-point-average for the entire academic year. Seniors Marquis Ford (St. Petersburg, Fla. / St. Petersburg) Cale Nelson (Newville, Pa. / Big Spring), Steve Profeta (Carnegie, Pa. / Chartiers Valley), and Grant Surprenant (Palatine, Ill. / Palatine) received the award, as did juniors Kurt Hoffman (Johnstown, Pa. / Johnstown) and Cedric Latimer (Los Angeles, Calif. / Windward), and sophomore Sorena Orandi (Vastra Frolunda, Gothenburg, Sweden / Solebury Prep).

“The awards are voted on by our players and coaching staff,” Friday added. “I’m proud of the fact that we had seven members of our team take home our first-ever academic recognition award for achieving a 3.0 GPA for the academic year.

“Our end-of-season celebration focuses solely on one thing: honoring the goodness in our student-athletes and all their wonderful contributions to Saint Francis and our community.”