Wildcats Conclude Season with Annual Awards Luncheon

The Arizona rugby program paused to officially end the 2008/2009 season last Saturday when the team conducted its annual Awards Luncheon at the Arizona Stadium Club.

The guest speaker was Jay Dobyns. Jay was an outstanding high school athlete and then All Pac Ten receiver at the University of Arizona. After attempting an NFL career against the likes of young Jerry Rice, Dobyns decided to pursue his other lifelong dream—law enforcement.

Just a week on the job as an Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent, Dobyns was shot through the upper chest. After survival, he realized that this was really his “calling.”

Dobyns recently published his memoirs “No Angel.” The subject of many History Channel documentaries, Jay was the first law enforcement agent to successfully infiltrate the notorious Hell’s Angels motorcycle club. His harrowing two years experience makes great reading. It also will soon be a motion picture.

Dobyns emphasized the “brotherhood” of Arizona football players, whether it be of the gridiron variety or the rugby kind. The players very much enjoyed his remarks.

Also speaking was Chris Clements, CEO of Golden Eagle Distributors. Chris presented the awards named in a tribute to his late father, William M. Clements, who was a major force behind University of Arizona rugby prior to his untimely cancer death in 1996.

Members of Arizona’s coaching staff presented the bulk of the recognition to the Arizona players.

The Awards

Mark Shively Rookie of the Year Award
2008/2009
Chris Elkins

The Mark Shively Memorial Award, named in recognition of the former Wildcat prop who, due to cancer, coached at the University of Arizona during his upperclassman years. Mark was an outstanding athlete who starred in football at Los Altos High School in Southern California. As a freshman, he was a starting prop on a University of Arizona team which made college rugby’s “Sweet Sixteen.” Ultimately, the cancer claimed Mark, who was a fierce competitor and truly dedicated to the Wildcat program. The Mark Shively Award is presented to the outstanding newcomer to the team and to the game.


The William M. Clements Student Athlete of the Year
2008/2009
Sergey Pitman
Hooker/Mining

The William M. Clements Student Athlete of the Year was awarded to Steve Elsbecker, a junior who boasted over 3.5 grade point average and made significant contributions to the team on the pitch as varsity flanker. (Interestingly, Elsbecker won the award for an unprecedented second consecutive year.)

William M. Clements was named one of the life members of the University of Arizona rugby program. Until his untimely death of cancer in 1996, Mr. Clements sponsored the Wildcats and the world famous Michelob Continental Rugby Classic.

He was a scholar athlete at the University of Washington where he played gridiron football. Mr. Clements was awarded a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering at the University of California where he played rugby in the 1960s. He established Golden Eagle Distributors in 1976 and has supported student athlete achievement at both Arizona and Northern Arizona Universities.

The William M. Clements Student Athlete Achievement Award
2008/2009

Matthew Branch, Junior
Chris Elkins, Junior
Michael Griffith, Sophomore
Samuel Holiday, Freshman
Marty Montes, Senior
Rudy Padilla, Sophomore
Dominick San Angelo, Freshman
Jason Spizer, Freshman

This award is presented to players who maintain a 3.5 grade point average or better.

The William M. Clements Student Academic Awards
Honorable Mention
2008/2009

Paul Ageh, Sophomore
Peter Ageh, Sophomore
Michael Blunt, Junior
Sal Bonanno, Senior
Logan Bonnesen, Junior
Edmund Cassidy, Senior
Sean Devine, Junior
Ryan Drakulich, Junior
Ondrej Dvorak, Sophomore
Joseph Giardina, Senior
Michael Haley, Freshman
Mike Jarvinen, Senior
Evan Jones, Senior
Nicholas Lee, Senior
Grant Mayer, Sophomore
Sam Needleman, Junior
Sean O’Sullivan, Junior
Timothy Pegnim, Senior
Matthew Polowski, Sophomore
Alex Prewitt, Junior
Tyler Roberts, Freshman
Michael Russo, Freshman
Steve Salazar, Freshman
Nicholas Svob, Freshman

This Honorable Mention award is presented to players who maintain a 3.0 grade point average or better.

William H. Hillenbrand Award
2008/2009
Nick Lee

The William H. Hillenbrand Award is presented to the team members who show leadership and dedication to the further growth and development of the club. These award winners make significant contributions on the field and, moreover, provide the club with extraordinary efforts.

The Lauren Townsend Freshman Achievement Award
2008/2009
Michael Haley

The Lauren Townsend Award is presented in memory of one of the victims of the Columbine High School shootings. The stepdaughter of former Wildcat player, Bruce Beck, Lauren was an outstanding student and athlete. She had been awarded a scholarship to Colorado State University in both academics and athletics (volleyball) prior to her death. She was the captain of her school’s volleyball team.

The Lauren Townsend Award signifies extraordinary contributions by a freshman. The recipient must excel in the classroom, on the field, and as a leader in order to be selected.

Most Valuable Players

Most Valuable Players are selected at the varsity, junior varsity and rookie levels and divided into back and forward divisions. The awards were selected by both the players and the coaches in recognition of overall excellence.

The Geoff Barnes Award - Most Valuable Varsity Back
2008/2009
Peter Tiberio

The Varsity Most Valuable Back is awarded the Geoff Barnes Award. Barnes was an outstanding All Conference player who lost his life in a spring break accident.

The Josh Allen Award - Most Valuable Varsity Forward
2008/2009
Sal Bonanno

The Varsity Most Valuable Forward receives the Josh Allen Award, named after the late, great Wildcat lock who led Arizona to three Sweet Sixteen appearances. He died of cancer in 2004.

Most Valuable JV Back
2008/2009
Paul Ageh

Most Valuable JV Forward
2008/2009
Ryan Drakulich


Most Improved Player Award
2008/2009
Mike Getzler

The criteria is flexible. The award can be presented for up to an 18-month period of time from season to season or the award can recognize achievement within a single season. Oftentimes two players are awarded the most improved player plaque for each period of time.


Most Inspirational Wildcat Awards
2008/2009
Jason Fass
Michael Griffith
Mike Jarvinen
Brett Moore


The Wildcat Award focuses on intensity. Wildcat Award winners exhibit an extraordinary commitment to the game each time they compete and each time they practice. Coaches and teammates alike expect tenacious play from Wildcat Award winners. In other programs, the Wildcat Award may be referenced as the Most Inspirational Player. The award winners were determined by their teammates.