April 16, 2004
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Fairfield University captain Rob Thomson received the most valuable player award at the team's annual awards banquet. Head Coach Tim O'Toole presented the award to his senior center at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn, culminating a night of celebrating the team's 19-11 overall record.
The evening began with master of ceremonies Jim Fitzpatrick asking the crowd of 100-plus fans, administrators and family members if they could recall a pair of games more exciting than the home wins over George Washington and Niagara. He then challenged the group to think of a center who enjoyed a season as good as Rob Thomson's 2003-04 campaign. The rhetorical questions made for an interesting prelude to the awards portion of the dinner.
Head Coach Tim O'Toole started the program by making comments about the season. He said one word described the 2003-04 season - miraculous. While that word has become jaded especially in the sports vernacular, it was put to proper use on this occasion. The seventh-year head coach spoke with pride about how special this team was, and how much he enjoyed coaching the squad.
From there, Assistant Coach Jerry Hobbie presented Tyquawn Goode and Rob Thomson with an award as the team leaders in assists and rebounds, respectively. Assistant Coach John Carey followed by giving an award to Deng Gai as the team's top defender and Brad Feleccia as the squad's top reserve.
 Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley received a home and away jersey from the team  |
|
Coach Tim Ryan stepped to the podium and honored Rob Thomson with the Iron Stag award, given to the player who accumulates the most minutes during the season. He had the pleasure of handing senior manager Michael Lopiano with the Steve Hagis award, secured through dedication and devotion to the men's basketball program.
Fairfield alumnus Robert J. Brennan presented the Jerry Lademan award to DeWitt Maxwell for the sophomore's academic achievement. Brennan continued by announcing the Pat Burke award would go to Tyquawn Goode, an honor bestowed on the player for hustle and desire. Mr. Brennan capped the evening by giving Rob Thomson the MVP award. He concluded by congratulating the team on an outstanding season, noting the team won 38 games in the last two years, surpassed only by the 1985-86 and 1986-87 teams' 39 wins. Coincidentally, Coach O'Toole captained those two teams.
The grand finale came as a complete surprise to Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, when Coach O'Toole and the team presented him with a home and away basketball jersey with his name on the back.
Director of Athletics Gene Doris ended the night with a congratulatory message to the team and the coaching staff, sentiments felt by all who were fortunate enough to follow the team in 2003-04.
