April 27, 2012
ATLANTA – On Monday night, Georgia Tech Athletics hosted its 2nd annual Golden Buzz Awards (formerly referred to as the Yellow Jacket Celebration) at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center. The annual event has grown into the highlight of the year for Yellow Jacket student-athletes.
Photo Gallery | Tech Athletics Year in Video
The evening began with the “Gold Carpet Show” outside the ballroom. With a gold runway on the floor and a Georgia Tech media backdrop set up, student-athletes and athletics staff arrived to be greeted by members of the student-athlete advisory board and interviewed about what they were wearing and their outlook on the past year. Perron Jones of men’s track and Nicki Meyer of volleyball were the primary gold carpet interviewers. Student-athletes from all sports participated in the fun pre-banquet event.
The banquet featured highlight videos from community service projects as well as athletic achievements, both choreographed to very fitting music. During dinner, Brian Robbins of men’s swimming and Jade Sims of women’s track presented 10 different superlative awards. Best dressed, drama king and queen, cutest couple, and coaches pet were just a few that were given. The student-athletes really got into this portion of the banquet and enjoyed a laugh or two at their teammates’ expense! While Roddy Jones and Shayla Bivins of women’s basketball were the official emcees of the event, each award was actually presented by various student-athletes. The top nominees were identified for each award, and then the envelope was opened to reveal the actual winner – Grammy-style. Each winner received an attractive plaque along with a golden bobble-head buzz, and then were directed to the media backdrop outside the ballroom to be interviewed.
Two student-athletes displayed their non-sport related talents. Alysha Rudnik of softball sang an original song while playing the guitar, and Dawnn Maye of women’s basketball concluded the evening with singing and dancing to some original hip-hop/rap songs. She successfully got her fellow student-athletes on their feet and ready for the dance portion of the evening. The student-athletes appeared to have really enjoyed the end-of-the-year celebration/awards show.
Top honors were taken by softball star Kelsi Weseman and golf All-American James White, who were named Georgia Tech Athletes of the Year. Sasha Goodlett of women’s basketball and men’s tennis All-American Kevin King were honored with the Total Person Student-Athlete Award.
The Total Person Awards are presented annually to the male and female senior student-athletes who best exemplify excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and service. It is the highest honor a Georgia Tech student-athlete can receive.
Following is a complete list of award winners.
Bobby Dodd Scholarship Award
Kate Riley – Women’s Swimming
Bo Andrews – Golf
GT Leadership Award
Roddy Jones – Football
L.W. “Chip” Roberts Award
Heidi Hatteberg – Women’s Swimming
James White – Golf
Total Person Student-Athlete Award
Sasha Goodlett – Women’s Basketball
Kevin King – Men’s Tennis
GTAA Athlete of the Year
Kelsi Weseman – Softball
James White – Golf
Total Person Alumnus Award
Roger Kaiser – Men’s Basketball All-American
Spotlight Awards
Anders Albertson – Golf
Ariana Berg – Women’s Swimming & Diving
Julien Burnett – Football
Frida Fogdemark – Women’s Basketball
Jasmine Isley – Women’s Track & Field
Mary Kownack – Women’s Cross Country
Caroline Lilley – Women’s Tennis
Juan Melian – Men’s Tennis
Zoey Morton – Volleyball
Obiandu Igwe – Men’s Cross Country
Brian Robbins – Men’s Swimming & Diving
Alysha Rudnik – Softball
Mfon Udofia – Men’s Basketball
Aaron Unterberger – Men’s Track & Field
Elle Wilten – Cheerleading
Colby Wren – Baseball
ACC Top-6 for Service
Sasha Goodlett – Women’s Basketball
Heidi Hatteberg – Women’s Swimming & Diving
Perron Jones – Men’s Track & Field
Roddy Jones – Football
Viet Ha Ngo – Women’s Tennis
Jessica Sinclair – Softball
ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Heidi Hatteberg – Women’s Swimming & Diving
Kevin King – Men’s Tennis
