Football: Wilson Named Dapper Dan Man of the Year
January 20, 2004 09:45 AM | General
January 20, 2004
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WHEELING, W.Va. -- Quincy Wilson, who recently played in the annual East-West Shrine All-Star Game, has been selected the 'Man of the Year' by the Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Club.
Wilson will be feted at the 37th Charity Awards Dinner to be held Saturday, Feb. 14 in the Grande Ballroom at Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort. A social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6.
"Quincy Wilson is most deserving of this award," Dapper Dan president Dan Olexia said, "because he not only distinquished himself in football at West Virginia University, but because he was a positive ambassador for the Ohio Valley, his school and his family."
Wilson is only the third college athlete to be 'Man of the Year', which was originated in 1966. Tim Spencer of St. Clairsville and Ohio State, was honored for 1982 and Lance Mehl of Bellaire and Penn State was feted for 1978.
Wilson earlier was selected by the Dapper Dans as the 1998 Male Athlete of the Year after setting state, and Ohio Valley, rushing records while leading Weir High to an unbeaten season and the state Class AA championship.
The 'Man of the Year' completed his senior Mountaineer season as the 12th leading rusher in NCAA Division I-A. He was a first team All-Big East honoree, a third team Associated Press All-America, and a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back. He also is a finalist in the state Amateur Athlete of the Year balloting.
Wilson, who graduated in December in athletic coaching education and was a member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, was voted as a season team co-captain. He also was given, by WVU coaches, the Ira Rodgers Award for all-round excellence.
Tagged by media as 'Weirton Steel' for his hometown roots, the 5-foot-10, 215-pound superback rushed 282 times for 1,380 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. He also landed 13 passes for 100 yards and a score.
The one reception TD, late in the fourth quarter at Miami, was labeled by ESPN as the No. 1 college football play of the season. Wilson's single season rushing total was the fourth best in school history and his 2,618 career yards is fifth best in Mountaineer annals.
He helped WVU to an 8-4 regular season record with eight games of 99 or more rushing yards. He gained 208 vs. Pitt and 178 vs. Virginia Tech in nationally televised wins. In a last-second 22-20 loss at Miami, Fla., he not only gave WVU a 20-19 lead with the well-documented screen pass reception but rushed for 99 yards and another score.
Members of the WVU coaching staff and athletic department have indicated they plan to attend the dinner and help honor Wilson. Other award recipients will be announced in the next few weeks.
Olexia said limited seating for the public will be available. Tickets are available by calling Olexia at 304-797-1966, Dick Craven at 740-537-2402 or Larry Falbo at 740-676-3102.
