Sept. 21, 2005

DALLAS, Texas - Baylor's presence at the Dallas All Sports Association's (DASA) annual all sports banquet definitely was noted on Tuesday. The Association's 40th annual celebration, held at the Fairmont Hotel, honored Baylor's 2005 national champion women's basketball team, head coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson, Lady Bear All-American Sophia Young, the men's tennis team, 2004 NCAA champions as well as other notable individuals.

The Lady Bears' team received the prestigious Field Scovell Award for 2004 and received a standing ovation as they filed onto the dais. DASA was founded in 1965 by Scovell, a well-known and much accomplished businessman who believed in the concept of giving something back to the community. The award was initiated to perpetuate the countless contributions of Scovell to the advancement of sports in Dallas and is presented to the region's outstanding sports figure. The selection is based on outstanding morals, citizenship, integrity and dedication, as well as achievement.

The Lady Bears, in receiving the award, became the first team other than the Dallas Cowboys to receive the Scovell Award. The Cowboys were honored in 1970 and 1992.

Mulkey-Robertson was named the organization's College Coach of the Year while Young received College Female Athlete of the Year honors. North Texas' Jamario Thomas was DASA's College Male Athlete of the Year.

Matt Knoll, Baylor's men's tennis coach, accepted a Texas Excellence Award for his 2004 championship squad. Texas baseball coach Augie Garrido and Texas women's track and field coach Bev Kearney received Texas Excellence Awards as well for guiding their teams to national championships.

Also, receiving awards on Tuesday evening were:
Lee Trevino - Lamar Hunt Award
Dick Engberg - Pat Summerall Award
Buck Showalter - Tom Landry Professional Coach of the Year
Daryl Johnston - Emmittt Smith Award
Johnny Rutherford - Legends Award
Dirk Nowitzki - Fan Favorite Award
Bruton Smith - Motor Sports Award
Don Nelson - Big D Award

Another highlight of the night for the Baylor faithful was when both Lee Trevino and Dick Enberg each addressed Coach Mulkey-Robertson from the podium saying that they both watched the game and were rooting for Baylor. In fact, Enberg who was working the Men's Final Four where Michigan State's men were playing, indicated he had just come back to the hotel from a broadcast rehearsal and was watching the game with a large group of Michigan State fans. "Only one person in that group was rooting for Baylor, little ole me," he said. Enberg added, "Kim, I hope you received the message I left of your phone after the game."

"It was truly a magical night for Baylor University and the athletic department," said Mulkey-Robertson. "To be associated with and to meet such distinguished individuals and to be honored by such a great organization will always be a special memory."

Also honored on the night were 22 students who received college scholarships from DASA. The organization provides much needed financial support to deserving students in the Metroplex through scholarships and other outreach programs. Dallas Cowboys receiver Keyshawn Johnson presented each scholarship winner with their award, many of whom are students from Happy Hill Farms, Buckner Children's Home and several from foster care.