RELEASED: Feb. 21, 2002

DANVILLE, KY-The Centre College football team was honored at its annual banquet this past weekend at the Cowan Dining Commons on the Centre campus. The Colonels posted a 9-1 record in 2001, finishing second in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. The nine victories are the most by a Colonel team since the 1921 team that recorded 10.

Centre cornerback Brian Britt (Danville) received a certificate for being selected to the American Football Coaches Association All-American Team. Britt made the first team and was also selected for Special Teams Player of the Year in the SCAC for the third straight year. He was second in the nation in pass interceptions with nine.

Britt also won the Homer Rice Most Valuable Special Teams player. Britt returned three punts for touchdowns and averaged 15.9 yards per punt return.

Drew Mildren (Oklahoma City) was selected by his teammates as the Bo McMillin Most Valuable Player. Mildren broke 16 school records as a four-year starter, including most passing yardage for a career (7,873), and most touchdown passes (54).

John Ortega (Prestonsburg) and Britt shared the Teel Bruner Most Valuable Defensive Player Award. Ortega was honorable mention All-American as a safety. He led the Colonels in tackles with105, picking off three passes and was named first team All-Conference.

The Most Improved Player Award (Charlie Moran Award) went to defensive tackle Daniel Nipp (Lancaster).

The Joe McDaniel Excellence Award was received by senior linebacker Carter Conley (Paris). This award was named after former head coach Joe McDaniel who is Centre’s all-time winningest coach. McDaniel is currently Centre’s athletic director and will retire in June. Conley was a co-captain of the 2001 team and was fourth on the team in tackles with 69.

The banquet concluded with a special tribute to the 15 seniors on this year's squad.

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