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Oct. 29, 2003
Charlottesville, Va. – The University of Virginia men’s lacrosse program held its annual banquet recently to recognize the national championship squad and present the team’s awards for the 2003 season..
Senior midfielder Billy Glading, a third-team All-American and Most Valuable Player of the 2003 ACC Tournament, received the Dr. Allen Voshell Award as the team’s most valuable player. One of the most underrated players in the nation, his intelligent and steady play was invaluable throughout the Cavaliers’ run to the national title. He scored a career-high 24 goals last season, including five against Duke in the finals of the ACC Tournament. In addition, his 45 ground balls were tops among the team’s midfielders. A standout high school basketball player, he has joined the UVa basketball team as a walk-on this season.
Senior middie Chris Rotelli received the Harry Gaver Award for leadership. One of the team’s most vocal players, Rotelli is one of the most decorated players in the program’s history. A complete midfielder who made an impact on both ends of the field with his tenacious defense and variety of offensive skills, he was the recipient of the Tewaaraton Trophy as the top player in the nation this past spring. He was also named the Midfielder of the Year and was a two-time first-team All-American (2002-03). Last season he set a school record for a midfielder with 49 points (26g, 23a) and tied for the team lead in scoring to become the first midfielder to lead the team in scoring since 1966.
Senior defenseman Ryan Binder was the recipient of the E. Doyle Smith Award for compiling the highest GPA (3.65) on the team. A May graduate in civil engineering, he also received the award as a freshman in 2000. He made eight appearances last season.
The “Class of ’99 Unsung Hero Award” was shared by seniors Ned Bowen and David Burman. Both three-year starters, they quietly did an outstanding job of anchoring one of the nation’s stingiest defensive units during the Cavaliers’ championship season. Bowen scooped up a career-high 41 ground balls, while Burman led ACC close defensemen with 61.
Senior attackman Hatcher Snead won the Lawrie Riggs Award for committment and citizenship. A Charlottesville native, he was widely respected by his teammates for his contributions to the team’s success throughout his career. He appeared in seven games last spring and scored two goals.
Senior midfielder Calvin Sullivan received the Tom Rixey Award for spirit and inspiration. Another of the team’s most vocal players, he saw his playing time decrease from the year before, but he did not let that deter him from putting forth the effort needed toward the team’s success.
Senior midfielder A.J. Shannon was named the team’s offensive MVP. An honorable mention All-American for the second year in a row, he scored a career-high 34 goals, tied for the second-most goals by a middie in school history, while his career-high 42 points are fourth-most by a UVa middie. He scored four goals in the national championship game against Johns Hopkins to lead the Cavaliers to the title.
Junior goalie Tillman Johnson received the team’s defensive MVP award for the third year in a row. The Goalie of the Year and USILA Player of the Year, Johnson was a dominant force throughout the season. On the game’s biggest stage in the national semifinals and finals his play was nothing short of dramatic. He was selected the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Championships after allowing just 18 goals and posting a .739 save percentage in four playoff games. A first-team All-American, Johnson set a school record with 205 saves, while his .635 save percentage is UVa’s best since 1984.
Sophomore faceoff specialist Jack deVilliers was selected the team’s Most Improved Player. The Lutherville, Md., native worked hard in the offseason to get bigger and stronger and his efforts paid great dividends. His faceoff winning percentage jumped from 48 to 59 percent last season as he set school records for most wins (204) and attempts (347).
“It gives me great pleasure to make the first public announcement of our 2003 team awards,” said Starsia. “Winning a national championship is clearly a group endeavor but, there were some individual performances that merit recognition. These individuals, this team, made a committment to each other and now share a memory that will now be forever cherished in Virginia lacrosse history.”