Inside NU - Inside NU 2015 End-of-Year Awards NomineesRoll Damn 'Catshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52532/insidenu_fav.png2015-05-25T11:54:01-05:00http://www.insidenu.com/rss/stream/84199262015-05-25T11:54:01-05:002015-05-25T11:54:01-05:00Athlete of the Year
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<p>Several stood out this year, but only one can be crowned Inside NU's Northwestern Athlete of the Year.</p> <p><i>The 2014-15 athletic year has all but come to a close, and that can only mean one thing: end-of-year awards. Beginning Monday, June 1, Inside NU will be handing out seven different awards to celebrate the top players, coaches and games of the year in Northwestern sports.</i></p>
<p><i>However, it's not just our decision; it's also yours. Today, Monday, May 25, we are releasing the nominees for all seven awards. At the bottom of each page is a poll, and that's where you can make your vote count. Voting will be open for a week, and will close at 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. Winners will be announced the following week. Without further ado...</i></p>
<p>The granddaddy of them all, Athlete of the Year goes to the most outstanding athlete in 2014-15 that Northwestern had to offer. Naturally, we give a bit more weight to the popular sports -- in a vacuum, there's no way a running back who ran for 1,100-plus yards and 10 touchdowns is on the same level as a wrestler or swimmer who came close to winning a national championship -- and taking that into consideration, we've come up with six potential winners of the award.</p>
<p>Here are the nominees for Inside NU's 2015 Northwestern Athlete of the Year Award:</p>
<h4>Nominees:</h4>
<p><b>Tyler Miller, Soccer: </b>Miller had a phenomenal year in net for the Wildcats, leading a defense that topped the Big Ten in goals against this year. At just .58 goals against per match, Miller, who was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/22/8273011/tyler-miller-u-s-under-23-national-team-squad">selected to the US Under-23 National team</a>, made the NCSAA/NCAA All-American second team. He's currently <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/1/19/7853155/tyler-miller-snubs-sounders-signs-with-german-club">playing professionally in Germany</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/1/9/7519543/tyler-miller-northwestern-germany-europe-trial-feature">we profiled him</a> a while back. He was also a Senior Class Award finalist.</p>
<p><b>Nia Coffey, Women's Basketball: </b>Coffey was an All-Big Ten First Team performer for the Wildcats this year. She had an impressive stretch of five straight double-doubles in conference play and averaged nearly 18 points and nine rebounds this year. And perhaps most importantly, the do-everything forward led Northwestern to its first NCAA Tournament in 20 years.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/2/24/8097599/jason-tsirtsis-northwestern-wrestling-national-champion-feature"><b>Jason Tsirtsis</b></a><b>, Wrestling: </b>In two years in Evanston, Tsirtsis has accumulated a 71-5 overall record, and is already a two-time Big Ten champion and two-time All-American. Although he didn't repeat as NCAA Champion after triumphing as a freshman, Tsirtsis had a very successful year, going 39-2 and finishing third in the nation in the 149-pound weight class.</p>
<p><b>Jordan Wilimovsky, Swimming:</b> Perhaps the most decorated Northwestern athlete, Wilimovsky won the 10K swim at the 2015 Open Water National Championships to advance to the 2015 FINA World Championships. He also won the Big Ten championship in the 1,650-meter freestyle and earned two All-American honors. He also absolutely shattered the school's 1,650-meter free record, and is considered a contender for an Olympic spot for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.</p>
<p><b>Selena Lasota, Lacrosse: </b>Reading her stats only tells half the story. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/4/16/8427053/selena-lasota-northwestern-lacrosse-profile">We covered the other half.</a> Nevertheless, Lasota scored an absurd 69 goals this year and helped lead a very inexperienced Wildcats team to the Elite Eight as just a freshman. <i>Lacrosse America</i> named her Rookie of the Year and an All-American.</p>
<p><b>Justin Jackson, Football:</b> Despite an offensive line that struggled at times and a quarterback that was up-and-down, Justin Jackson churned out yards. He rushed for 1,187 yards and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention status. Jackson averaged nearly 100 yards per game on the ground and also added 11 total touchdowns. He also did <a target="_blank" href="http://snpy.tv/1ppjKrf">this.</a> Absolute beast.</p>
<h4><b>Staff Picks</b></h4>
<p><b>Henry Bushnell:</b> Jackson is the big name, but he's not even in the running for me. I think it's a toss-up between Wilimovsky and Tsirtsis, and I'll go with <b>Tsirtsis</b>.</p>
<p><b>Zach Pereles: </b> To me, this one's not even close. Jordan <b>Wilimovsky</b> is a top-tier swimmer, the class of the Big Ten when it comes to distance swimming, and he will represent both the United States and Northwestern on the international stage, plus he could be an Olympian in the future.</p>
<p><b>David Gernon: </b>Being an Olympian is something a very select few people get to experience in their lifetime and for Jordan <b>Wilimovsky</b> to have the kind of year he did to be considered a contender for the 2016 Rio games is something to take note of. An easy choice for this one.</p>
<p><b>Josh Rosenblat: </b>Sure, Wilimovsky may be the most successful Wildcat overall, but if we're talking about individual seasons at Northwestern, I have to go with <b>Lasota</b>. She carried an inexperienced squad throughout the season as they rode her talent all the way to the Elite Eight.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Dukovic: </b>Perhaps the most under-appreciated athlete at Northwestern, <b>Jordan Wilimovsky </b>deserves this award. His accomplishments (listed above), speak for themselves.</p>
<p><i>Voting has ended. Check throughout the week, as we'll be announcing winners Tuesday through Friday.</i></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/25/8641877/northwestern-athlete-of-the-year-2015-nomineesInside NU Archives2015-05-25T11:52:32-05:002015-05-25T11:52:32-05:00Career Achievement Award
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<figcaption>Graphic: Josh Rosenblat</figcaption>
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<p>Which graduating senior had the best career at NU?</p> <p><i>The 2014-15 athletic year has all but come to a close, and that can only mean one thing: end-of-year awards. Beginning Monday, June 1, Inside NU will be handing out seven different awards to celebrate the top players, coaches and games of the year in Northwestern sports.</i></p>
<p><i>However, it's not just our decision; it's also yours. Today, Monday, May 25, we are releasing the nominees for all seven awards. At the bottom of each page is a poll, and that's where you can make your vote count. Voting will be open for a week, and will close at 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. Winners will be announced the following week. Without further ado...</i></p>
<p>Oftentimes end-of-year awards focus solely on the past season, and with good reason. But for many college athletes, the end of a season also means the end of a career. That's why we've decided to hand out the Career Achievement Award to the departing senior that accomplished the most during his or her four year career at Northwestern.</p>
<p>Here are the nominees for Inside NU's 2015 Northwestern Athlete Career Achievement Award:</p>
<h4>Nominees</h4>
<p><b>Ibraheim Campbell, Football</b> - From the day he won a starting safety spot as a redshirt freshman, Campbell was an impact player for Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern. He was NU's leading tackler in his first season with 100, and while his numbers declined every year since, he developed into one of the best all-around safeties in the Big Ten. He was a major contributor on Northwestern's Gator Bowl winning squad, and finished his career tied for third on NU's all-time interceptions list with 11.</p>
<p><b>Mike McMullan, Wrestling</b> - McMullan made history in his time at Northwestern, becoming the first ever Northwestern wrestler to earn not one, not two, not three, but <i>four</i> All-American honors in his time with the program. A heavyweight, McMullan came ever so close to winning a national championship -- he finished 3rd at the NCAAs as a freshman, junior and senior, and 2nd as a sophomore -- but finally broke through and <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/8/8172059/mike-mcmullan-wins-big-ten-heavyweight-title" target="_blank">won a Big Ten Championship</a> as a senior.</p>
<p><b>Tyler Miller, Men's Soccer</b> - Miller had a brilliant career in Evanston. After winning the starting goalkeeper job as a freshman, he was named to the All-Big Ten First Team three times, and was a unanimous selection for Goalkeeper of the Year as a senior. He also won two Big Ten titles with the Wildcats, and in 2014, conceded just 13 goals in 22 games. He was <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/1/15/7553569/tyler-miller-taken-by-seattle-sounders-in-2nd-round-of-mls-superdraft" target="_blank">drafted by MLS's Seattle Sounders</a> in January, and was recently <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/22/8273011/tyler-miller-u-s-under-23-national-team-squad" target="_blank">called up to the U.S. Under-23 National Team</a>. For more on Miller, <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/1/9/7519543/tyler-miller-northwestern-germany-europe-trial-feature" target="_blank">we profiled him and his European adventure</a> back in January.</p>
<p><b>Kara Mupo, Lacrosse </b>- Despite battling through injuries, including one that ended her 2013 season before it even got started, Mupo had an illustrious four year career at Northwestern. She was a key contributor on both the 2011 and 2012 national championship teams, scoring two goals in the 2011 final to help NU edge Maryland, 8-7. She finished her career with 138 total goals.</p>
<p><b>Brandon Vitabile, Football</b> - Vitabile started <i>every single game </i>-- all 50 of 'em -- of his four year career at NU, and was not only a rock in the middle of the offensive line, but was one of the main offensive leaders. He was <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/2/8536641/brandon-vitabile-Indianapolis-Colts-undrafted-free-agent" target="_blank">signed by the Indianapolis Colts</a> as an undrafted free agent in early May.</p>
<h4>Staff Picks</h4>
<p><b>Henry Bushnell:</b> I'm going with <b>Miller</b>. It's tempting to go with Campbell, because he's been the most visible, especially lately, but Miller was outstanding all four years. And McMullan is actually second for me.</p>
<p><b>Zach Pereles: </b>Miller and Campbell are probably more enticing options, but <b>Vitabile</b> was a consistent anchor for Northwestern's offensive line, a high-character and high-football IQ guy and a perfect leader, so he gets my vote.</p>
<p><b>Josh Burton</b>: College wrestling doesn't always get the notice it deserves, but that doesn't mean wrestlers like <b>McMullan </b>-- who was named an All-American an absurd four times in a row -- don't deserve acclaim for incredible careers. That's why he gets my vote for outstanding four-year career. It's hard to be that dominant in a sport for that long.</p>
<p><b>David Gernon: </b>Three All-Big Ten selections is an achievement I'm sure most athletes who come to Evanston would be thrilled with as the pinnacle of their careers, so to top that by being selected to the U-23 team in your sport makes <b>Miller</b> my choice. This can also be thought of as a future career achievement choice, because, hey, Tim Howard is getting old and who knows how far Miller will go.</p>
<p><b>Josh Rosenblat:</b> Northwestern's wrestling program is quietly one of, if not the best program at the University right now. And <b>McMullan</b> is just another example of the success the team and head coach Drew Pariano have put out in recent years.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Dukovic: Brandon Vitabile</b> embodies what it means to be a Northwestern student-athlete. He thrived on and off the field: starting every game and achieving Academic All-Big Ten honors for four years. Plus we share the same major: economics. So he's got my vote.</p>
<p><i>Voting has ended. Check throughout the week, as we'll be announcing winners Tuesday through Friday.</i></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/25/8642745/northwestern-athlete-career-achievement-award-nominees-2015Inside NU Archives2015-05-25T11:51:06-05:002015-05-25T11:51:06-05:00Freshman of the Year
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<figcaption>Graphic: Josh Rosenblat</figcaption>
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<p>There are four nominees, including two who are nominees for Athlete of the Year as well.</p> <p><i>The 2014-15 athletic year has all but come to a close, and that can only mean one thing: end-of-year awards. Beginning Monday, June 1, Inside NU will be handing out seven different awards to celebrate the top players, coaches and games of the year in Northwestern sports.</i></p>
<p><i>However, it's not just our decision; it's also yours. Today, Monday, May 25, we are releasing the nominees for all seven awards. At the bottom of each page is a poll, and that's where you can make your vote count. Voting will be open for a week, and will close at 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. Winners will be announced the following week. Without further ado...</i></p>
<p>It was quite the year for freshman athletes at Northwestern. When a certain running back quickly became the focal point of Northwestern football's offense back in the fall, it might've seemed like this award had already been won. But throughout the year, freshmen excelled on the field, on the court, and even on the course, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/7/8562027/northwestern-women-big-ten-freshman-of-the-year-spring-sports">during the spring, Northwestern's four women's sports teams swept the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Awards</a>. Now, it's time to hand out our own award.</p>
<p>Here are the nominees for Inside NU's 2015 Northwestern Freshman Athlete of the Year Award:</p>
<h4>Nominees</h4>
<p><b>Justin Jackson, Football</b> - Jackson exploded onto the scene as a true freshman. Running behind a shaky offensive line, he carried the ball 245 times for 1,187 yards, and added 201 more yards catching the ball out of the backfield. He also found the end zone 11 times, and more than made Wildcat fans forget about Venric Mark. Jackson would've been the Big Ten Freshman of the Year if it weren't for Ohio State's J.T. Barrett.</p>
<p><b>Hannah Kim, Women's Golf </b>- Kim wasn't just named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2015... she was named Big Ten Player of the Year, Northwestern women's golf's first ever recipient of the award. Oh, and Kim's season isn't done; she's currently leading the Wildcats at the NCAA Championships in Raleigh, N.C., where they enter Monday two shots off the top-eight and match-play qualification.</p>
<p><b>Selena Lasota, Lacrosse </b>- Lasota was simply dominant from the moment she stepped on a lacrosse field wearing purple. She scored a remarkable 69 goals in 21 games, was Northwestern's all-around best player, and was named to the ILWCA All-American Second Team. She was also the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and was named to the all-conference team. For more on Lasota, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/4/16/8427053/selena-lasota-northwestern-lacrosse-profile">we profiled her back in April</a>.</p>
<p><b>Bryant McIntosh, Men's Basketball </b>- The Big Ten had some pretty good freshman guards this past season -- D'Angelo Russell, James Blackmon Jr., Melo Trimble -- but that didn't stop McIntosh from being named to the conference's All-Freshman Team. In his first year in Evanston, McIntosh ran the show for Chris Collins, and was the engine that made NU's offense go. McIntosh averaged 11.4 points and 4.7 assists per game.</p>
<h4>Staff Picks</h4>
<p><b>Henry Bushnell: </b>It's tough to vote against Jackson, but I'm going with <b>Lasota</b>. She was, more so than the other three, nationally relevant, and is a special talent.</p>
<p><b>Zach Pereles: </b>Selena <b>Lasota </b>was absolutely insane this year and is thoroughly deserving of the award-- all of the nominees should have huge futures ahead, but Lasota was the best in her first college season.</p>
<p><b>David Gernon: </b>While Jackson and McIntosh both had phenomenal years, neither dominated their sport like <b>Lasota</b> did, and that's why I'm going with the standout Canadian lacrosse player. To rank in the top-10 nationally in a vital category like goals per game as a freshman is an incredible achievement and one that wins her this award, in my opinion.</p>
<p><b>Josh Rosenblat: Lasota</b> is a transcendent talent on the lacrosse field. She could very well go down as one of the best players to ever pick up a stick at Northwestern.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Dukovic: </b>Lasota, who made us forget about the loss of the old No. 2, Alyssa Leonard, was phenomenal, but so was the guy who made us forget about the absence of Venric Mark. <b>Justin Jackson</b> was virtually the only bright spot for NU football last season. He rushed for nearly 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman and gets my vote for Freshman Athlete of the Year.</p>
<p><i>Voting has ended. Check back throughout the week, as we'll be announcing winners Tuesday through Friday.</i></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/25/8641809/northwestern-freshman-athlete-of-the-year-award-nominees-2015Inside NU Archives2015-05-25T11:49:45-05:002015-05-25T11:49:45-05:00#funbad Game of the Year
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<figcaption>Graphic: Josh Rosenblat</figcaption>
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<p>Which game was so bad that it brought about laughter instead of pain?</p> <p><i>The 2014-15 athletic year has all but come to a close, and that can only mean one thing: end-of-year awards. Beginning Monday, June 1, Inside NU will be handing out seven different awards to celebrate the top players, coaches and games of the year in Northwestern sports.</i></p>
<p><i>However, it's not just our decision; it's also yours. Today, Monday, May 25, we are releasing the nominees for all seven awards. At the bottom of each page is a poll, and that's where you can make your vote count. Voting will be open for a week, and will close at 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. Winners will be announced the following week. Without further ado...</i></p>
<p>Sports can be tough on a person's emotions sometimes. When you invest emotionally in a team and a game, and your team underperforms, it can hurt. And Northwestern fans know all about that. But when you know what that pain feels like, and when you come to expect it, there's a certain point where a team's bad play becomes so consistent and so repetitive that it surpasses pain and instead generates amusement and even laughter. It's the point where The state that you reach after that moment... that is #funbad.</p>
<p>And here are the nominees for Inside NU's 2015 #funbad Game of the Year Award:</p>
<h4>Nominees</h4>
<p><b>Football vs. Michigan</b> -- If you're struggling to understand exactly what #funbad is... well, just read/watch <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2014/11/8/7178853/embracing-the-suck-of-northwestern-michigan">this.</a> Then you'll understand. And you'll also understand why this game is going to be pretty tough to beat for the 2014 #funbad Game of the Year Award.</p>
<p><b>Basketball at Rutgers</b> -- Northwestern went over 10 minutes late in the second half without scoring a single point... AND STILL WON THE GAME. We all knew we were going to be in for an ugly game. In fact, the first comment on our gamethread that day was a simple question: "Who's ready to watch some really bad basketball???" But the Wildcats and Scarlet Knights surpassed even our wildest #funbad dreams.</p>
<h4>Staff Picks</h4>
<p><b>Henry Bushnell:</b> A lot of people came up to me after that <b>Michigan game</b> wondering what it was like to sit through a game like that. They were expecting negative answers. I was so confused. We were literally laughing in the press box. That's the definition of #funbad.</p>
<p><b>Zach Pereles: </b>Maybe it's because I was watching the Michigan<b> </b>game from the first row of the student section in miserable weather conditions and I watched the Rutgers game from the comfort of my own home while on Winter Break, but the <b>Michigan game</b> has to win this one. I just remember after that game ended, I couldn't decide whether to cry, laugh, or just go back to my dorm and sleep after watching (supposedly) Division 1 football for about four hours. I think I did a combination of the three.</p>
<p><b>Josh Burton:</b> The <b>Michigan "game"</b> happened to be played during Parents' Weekend, so it was the first full football game my mom and sisters have probably ever watched. Afterwards, even they were befuddled as to how bad it was. Safe to say they will not be watching much of the upcoming season.</p>
<p><b>Josh Rosenblat: </b>That <b>Michigan game</b> made me hate the sport of football. Thanks everyone!</p>
<p><b>Kevin Dukovic: </b>I don't think I've heard as much laughter in a press box as I did during the <b>Michigan game</b>. It was comical. Kevin Trahan and I had way too much fun making <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2014/11/8/7178853/embracing-the-suck-of-northwestern-michigan">this</a> too.</p>
<p><i>Voting has ended. Check back throughout the week, as we'll be announcing winners Tuesday through Friday.</i></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/25/8644609/northwestern-funbad-game-of-the-year-award-nominees-2015Inside NU Archives2015-05-25T11:48:15-05:002015-05-25T11:48:15-05:00Game of the Year
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<figcaption>Graphic: Josh Rosenblat</figcaption>
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<p>Two games -- one basketball, one football -- stand out, but there are four nominees.</p> <p><i>The 2014-15 athletic year has all but come to a close, and that can only mean one thing: end-of-year awards. Beginning Monday, June 1, Inside NU will be handing out seven different awards to celebrate the top players, coaches and games of the year in Northwestern sports.</i></p>
<p><i>However, it's not just our decision; it's also yours. Today, Monday, May 25, we are releasing the nominees for all seven awards. At the bottom of each page is a poll, and that's where you can make your vote count. Voting will be open for a week, and will close at 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. Winners will be announced the following week. Without further ado...</i></p>
<p>One aspect of Northwestern sports that's always a given--no, not men's basketball NCAA Tournament appearances--is that many games will be close, often unnecessarily so. This undoubtedly leads to exciting finishes and record-breaking performances, many of which the Wildcats were involved in. Honestly, it feels like every team at NU has been involved in at least one or two crazy games which were either vital for standings purposes, shocking, endless or just plain crazy.</p>
<h4>Nominees</h4>
<p><b>Women's Basketball vs. Iowa</b> - On Jan. 29 at Welsh-Ryan Arena, the then-No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes were expecting a pretty easy win over the injury-plagued Wildcats. What they got instead was <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/1/29/7949193/northwestern-iowa-102-99-womens-basketball-2015" target="_blank">a 102-99 nail-biter</a> that involved a NCAA-record combined 32 made three-pointers. Iowa, with 19 triples, set a conference record on a day more than 200 total points were scored in 40 minutes.</p>
<p><b>Men's Basketball vs. Michigan</b> - NU men's basketball had some tight finishes in 2014-15. However, none were as exciting as the <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/3/8146133/northwestern-michigan" target="_blank">Wildcats' double overtime 82-78 win over Michigan</a> at Welsh-Ryan back in March. It took not one but <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/3/8146495/the-tre-demps-clutch-gene" target="_blank">two Tre Demps' game-extending threes</a> (one at the end of regulation, the other at the end of the first extra period), plus some more improbable occurrences, to lead the way to an eventual Northwestern triumph. After the game, our Henry Bushnell tried to <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/4/8146687/northwestern-michigan-reflections-amazing-double-overtime" target="_blank">put the entire night into words</a>.</p>
<p><b>Football at Notre Dame</b> - If you're a fan of Northwestern sports, there's approximately a 0 percent chance you don't know the story of this game. The Wildcats went in as an 18-point underdog, but after countless <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2014/11/15/7227903/northwestern-beats-notre-dame-win" target="_blank">unexpected twists and turns</a>, came out with an unbelievable 43-40 overtime victory. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2wup8fNaKI" target="_blank">Jack Mitchell's game-winning field goal</a> was surely the moment of the year in Northwestern sports, and set off <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2014/11/15/7227269/celebrations-from-northwesterns-win-over-notre-dame" target="_blank">wild celebrations</a>. In fact, recently, we just had to come up with some sort of excuse to <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/15/8612453/northwestern-43-notre-dame-40-memories-six-months-later" target="_blank">recall our memories from that day.</a></p>
<p><b>Lacrosse vs. Penn</b> - Northwestern led this game 5-1 and 6-2, but a stunning Penn comeback took the game to overtime. With just 13 seconds remaining in OT though, after mistakes and missed opportunities on both sides, Northwestern junior Kaleigh Craig stepped up and <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/4/5/8348781/northwestern-vs-penn-lacrosse-win-overtime" target="_blank">won the game for the Wildcats</a>.</p>
<h4>Staff Picks</h4>
<p><b>Josh Burton: </b>There's nothing like the good ol' underdog story in sports. Northwestern was the David and Notre Dame was the Goliath, and David won, even if it only served as a small break during another trying season. I'm going with the <b>Notre Dame</b> game.</p>
<p><b>Zach Pereles: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/15/8612453/northwestern-43-notre-dame-40-memories-six-months-later">Oh, the memories.</a> But I have to go with <b>Northwestern-Michigan</b>, actually, because I was in the building and had to write <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/3/8146133/northwestern-michigan">the Rapid Reaction</a>, which I must have rewritten 10 times.</p>
<p><b>Henry Bushnell:</b> I too was at the Michigan game, and <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/4/8146687/northwestern-michigan-reflections-amazing-double-overtime" target="_blank">it was incredible</a>... but the <b>Notre Dame</b> game gets my vote, and it's not close.</p>
<p><b>Josh Rosenblat: Notre Dame-Northwestern</b> will go down as one of the greatest games in Northwestern football history. It's not often the Wildcats secure a win like that in that fashion.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Dukovic: </b>The Michigan-Northwestern thriller had probably the best comeback I've ever witnessed in person. But it didn't <i>matter</i> as much as the <b>Notre Dame</b> win. The ND game saved Northwestern's season from being a complete disappointment and gave NU fans something to brag about.</p>
<p><i>Voting has ended. Check back throughout the week, as we'll be announcing winners Tuesday through Friday.</i></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/25/8642835/northwestern-game-of-the-year-award-nominees-2015Inside NU Archives2015-05-25T11:46:32-05:002015-05-25T11:46:32-05:00Tre Demps Clutch Gene Award
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<figcaption>Graphic: Josh Rosenblat</figcaption>
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<p>There is, surprisingly, at least one nominee not named Tre Demps.</p> <p><i>The 2014-15 athletic year has all but come to a close, and that can only mean one thing: end-of-year awards. Beginning Monday, June 1, Inside NU will be handing out seven different awards to celebrate the top players, coaches and games of the year in Northwestern sports.</i></p>
<p><i>However, it's not just our decision; it's also yours. Today, Monday, May 25, we are releasing the nominees for all seven awards. At the bottom of each page is a poll, and that's where you can make your vote count. Voting will be open for a week, and will close at 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. Winners will be announced the following week. Without further ado...</i></p>
<p>The name says it all. Over the past year few years, there's been one player in Northwestern sports that has embodied the word "clutch," and that player is Tre Demps. So naturally, the award is named after him. But that doesn't mean he's the only player who came up big when it mattered most this past year.</p>
<p>Here are the nominees for Inside NU's 2015 Tre Demps Clutch Gene Award:</p>
<h4>Nominees</h4>
<p><b>Tre Demps, Basketball</b> - It's not often that an award gets named after somebody. The honor is reserved for legends like Bill Russell or Roberto Clemente. That should tell you just how clutch Demps has been not only this past year, but throughout his career at Northwestern. He's done things like <a href="https://vine.co/v/O0w5agWqxrg" target="_blank">this</a>. And <a href="https://vine.co/v/O0wJYpEJe6B" target="_blank">this</a>. And <a href="https://vine.co/v/O0wvuTb6WqQ" target="_blank">this</a>. And he's done it on numerous occasions. According to <a href="http://shotanalytics.com/NCAAPlayers/ShotTool/602051?season=2015" target="_blank">Shot Analytics</a>, Demps' effective field goal percentage in the first half of games in 2014-15 was 45 percent. His effective field goal percentage in the last 10 minutes of games was 58 percent, and in the last 3 minutes of games, it was an amazing 69 percent. There's no way Demps doesn't win this award, right?</p>
<p>Well...</p>
<p><b>Jack Mitchell, Football </b>-</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yi0tznkxxg8"></iframe></p>
<h4>Staff Picks</h4>
<p><b>Henry Bushnell:</b> I'm going with <b>Demps</b>, and not just because I named the award after him. He's done it over and over and over again at the end of games.</p>
<p><b>Zach Pereles: </b>It's <b>Demps</b>. Mitchell was clutch in one game this year; Demps was clutch in basically every close game Northwestern won down the stretch of this season.</p>
<p><b>Josh Burton:</b> I wish I could go against the spread and say Mitchell, but <b>Demps'</b> continued ability to make contested shots with game winding to a close is more-than-deserving of the award that's named after him.</p>
<p><b>Josh Rosenblat: </b>Mitchell was so bad this year if we're going to be real. <b>Demps </b>gets the nod here.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Dukovic: </b>I'm going with <b>Mitchell</b>. The guy walked on from the baseball team and couldn't make an extra point consistently until the Notre Dame game, where he kicked some of the more clutch and meaningful field goals in NU football history.</p>
<p><i>Voting has ended. Check back throughout the week, as we'll be announcing winners Tuesday through Friday.</i></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/25/8653263/tre-demps-clutch-gene-award-2015Inside NU Archives2015-05-25T11:28:07-05:002015-05-25T11:28:07-05:00Coach of the Year
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<p>There are five great nominees from non-revenue sports.</p> <p><i>The 2014-15 athletic year has all but come to a close, and that can only mean one thing: end-of-year awards. Beginning Monday, June 1, Inside NU will be handing out seven different awards to celebrate the top players, coaches and games of the year in Northwestern sports.</i></p>
<p><i>However, it's not just our decision; it's also yours. Today, Monday, May 25, we are releasing the nominees for all seven awards. At the bottom of each page is a poll, and that's where you can make your vote count. Voting will be open for a week, and will close at 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. Winners will be announced the following week. Without further ado...</i></p>
<p>Although men's basketball and football dominate Northwestern sports interest, for the most part, those two teams have actually taken a backseat in success to sports like women's golf and field hockey, each of which the Wildcats were really good in this past year. Behind those teams and great players, of course, are top-notch coaches, of which NU seems to be chock-full.</p>
<p>Whether it's women's basketball making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the late 90s or softball reaching college's biggest stage for the 10th time in 14 seasons, Northwestern's non-revenue teams are led by coaches who are at the top of their profession.</p>
<p>Here are the nominees for Inside NU's 2015 Northwestern Coach of the Year Award:</p>
<h4>Nominees</h4>
<p><b>Kate Drohan, Softball</b> - The Wildcats made the NCAA Tournament for the 10th time in their last 14 seasons but saw their postseason end quickly with a loss to Notre Dame. Even with the disappointment, it was another successful season for Drohan and her team, which won 17 of its last 19 games after a rough start.</p>
<p><b>Emily Fletcher</b>, <b>Women's Golf</b> - Since Fletcher became NU's coach, the Wildcats have made six consecutive NCAA Regionals, and competed at their third-straight NCAA Championships this weekend. They entered this year's Championships ranked No. 14 in the country, and, heading into the fourth round Monday, are two strokes back of 8th-place, which would qualify them for match play. And oh by the way, Fletcher was named Big Ten Coach of the Year.</p>
<p><b>Tracey Fuchs, Field Hockey</b> - Fuchs took over a struggling program in 2009, and in just five years has engineered a remarkable turnaround. This past season, NU made the NCAA Tournament and won a Big Ten regular season title for the first time since 1994. The Wildcats also upset Maryland to win their first Big Ten Tournament title <i>ever</i>. Fuchs' work ever since arriving in Evanston has been awesome.</p>
<p><b>Joe McKeown, Women's Basketball</b> - McKeown took Northwestern to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997. When he took the job in 2008, the program was down in the dumps. No NU team had won more than three Big Ten games since the turn of the century, and multiple teams had gone 0-16. McKeown <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/3/18/8229473/joe-mckeown-northwestern-turnaround-ncaa-tournament-feature" target="_blank">finally completed his rebuilding project</a> in 2014-15.</p>
<p><b>Drew Pariano, Wrestling</b> - It was another highly successful year for the NU wrestling team, led by Big Ten champions Jason Tsirtsis and Mike McMullan, which underlies how six Wildcats competed for national titles at the NCAA Championships, which is pretty remarkable. Pariano, a NU alum and coach of the team since 2010, is at the root of all the winning and the 15th-place overall finish for the Wildcats in the entire NCAA.</p>
<h4>Staff Picks</h4>
<p><b>Josh Burton: </b>I have to go with <b>McKeown</b> here. Snapping an 18-year NCAA Tournament drought should be evidence enough but he deserves this award for more than just that. Since coming to Evanston, he has turned NU into a 22-win and a tournament team after the Wildcats went 7-23 in his debut campaign. That's an incredible turnaround, and it resulted in postseason success in 2015.</p>
<p><b>Henry Bushnell</b>: This is a toss-up for me between Fletcher, Fuchs and McKeown. I imagine McKeown will be the popular pick, but what Fuchs has done with the Field Hockey program is even more impressive. So I'll go with <b>Fuchs</b>.</p>
<p><b>David Gernon: </b>The double of making the NCAA tournament and winning the Big Ten is impressive in its own right, but when you factor in the turnaround job <b>Fuchs </b>has overseen with the Field Hockey team, it becomes even more first-class.</p>
<p><b>Josh Rosenblat: McKeown's </b>got this category for me. It'll be fun to see what he can do as this young team gets older in the next couple of seasons.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Dukovic: </b>When you make the NCAA tournament as a basketball coach at Northwestern you deserve all the props in the world. <b>McKeown</b> has turned the women's basketball program around and he's finally starting to reap the benefits.</p>
<p><i>Voting has ended. Check back throughout the week, as we'll be announcing winners Tuesday through Friday.</i></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2015/5/25/8641887/northwestern-coach-of-the-year-award-nominees-2015Inside NU Archives