DENVER - Hawai‘i junior Colt Brennan and Hawai?i senior Kanoe Kamana'o have been named the recipients of the 2006-07 Joe Kearney Award for the Western Athletic Conference. Brennan becomes the first Hawai‘i male athlete in any sport to win the award. Kamana'o, who won the award in 2006, is the second Rainbow Wahine volleyball player to win the award twice, with Kim Willoughby taking the 2003 and 2004 honors. Named in honor of former WAC commissioner Joe Kearney, the awards are given annually to the top male and female WAC athlete. The WAC Athletics Directors select the male award winner, while the WAC Senior Woman Administrators choose the female honoree.
Brennan, a junior from Irvine, Calif., was the 2006 WAC Offensive Player of the Year in football. He earned third-team Associated Press All-America honors as well as also being named a second-team Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American. Brennan helped the Warriors to their first Associated Press Top 25 rankings since 1993. He finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
During the 2006 football season, Brennan tied or broke 20 NCAA records, 17 WAC records and 41 school records. He broke NCAA single-season records for touchdown passes (58) and highest pass efficiency rating (186.0). He was the team's second leading rusher with 366 yards and five touchdowns last season.
“Colt Brennan is definitely one of the best all-around student-athletes I have been around,†said Hawai‘i athletics director Herman Frazier. “His leadership and playing ability, combined with his character, has made him a well-respected name in Hawai‘i and across the nation. Colt did more than just win football games for us in 2006. He cultivated a following in the islands unlike any other. I believe Colt is deserving of the Joe Kearney Award because he has dedicated himself to spreading the spirit of collegiate athletics and has taken every opportunity to help young people aspire to be the very best they can be.â€
Kamana'o, a senior from Honolulu, is a four-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American, including a first-team nod in 2004. She was a four-time first-team all-WAC member and the WAC Player of the Year for 2004, 2005 and 2006. She is only the second WAC volleyball player to earn Player of the Year honors three times.
In her Rainbow Wahine career, Kamana'o ranks seventh in NCAA history in assists with 6,428 and eighth in assists per game, averaging 13.62. She ranks third in UH history in digs with 1,220 and fifth in blocks with 403. In 2006, Kamana'o played through injuries to lead the Rainbow Wahine to the NCAA Regionals where Hawai‘i defeated USC in an impressive five-game match to advance to the Regional Final.
“In a state such as Hawaii where UH Wahine Volleyball is preeminent, Kanoe Kamana'o is revered and known by all,†stated Hawai?i athletics director Herman Frazier. “Her impact on the sport and as a leader and role model in our community will only increase as she continues achieving her goals in life. She has led her team ever since she was a freshman and is the reason why our team has remained in the top 10 in the country. She has won numerous awards and has always given back to the community and the children by contributing countless hours in community service.â€
2006-07 Joe Kearney Award Nominees
Women, School-Sport
Eleni Kafourou, Boise State-Track and Field
Melanie Gloria, Fresno State-Tennis
Kanoe Kamana'o, Hawai?i-Volleyball
Melinda Owen, Idaho-Track and Field
Latonia Wilson, Louisiana Tech-Track and Field
Kali Baker, Nevada-Cross Country/Track and Field
Jackie Choi, New Mexico State-Volleyball
Beth Harberts, San Jose State-Water Polo
Jennifer Twitchell, Utah State-Cross Country/Track and Field
Men, School-Sport
Luke Shields, Boise State-Tennis
Brian Lapin, Fresno State-Baseball
Colt Brennan, Hawai?i-Baseball
Russ Winger, Idaho-Track and Field
Brian Rike, Louisiana Tech-Baseball
Nick Fazekas, Nevada-Basketball
Chris Williams, New Mexico State-Football
Dwight Lowery, San Jose State-Football
Jaycee Carroll, Utah State-Basketball
Previous Kearney Award Winners
Year Women, School-Sport
2006-07 Kanoe Kamana'o, Hawai‘i-Volleyball
2005-06 Kanoe Kamana'o, Hawai‘i-Volleyball
2004-05 Jamie Southern, Fresno State-Softball
2003-04 Kim Willoughby, Hawai‘i-Volleyball
2002-03 Kim Willoughby, Hawai‘i-Volleyball/Basketball
2001-02 Stacy Prammanasudh, Tulsa-Golf
2000-01 Florence Ezeh, SMU-Track and Field
1999-00 Amanda Scott, Fresno State-Softball
1998-99 Martina Moravcova, SMU-Swimming
1997-98 Amanda Scott, Fresno State-Softball
1996-97 Martina Moravcova, SMU-Swimming
1995-96 Nina Lindenberg, Fresno State-Softball
1994-95 Suzanne Metz, Utah-Gymnastics
1993-94 Amy Van Dyken, Colorado State-Swimming
1992-93 Mikki Kane-Barton, Utah-Basketball/Volleyball
1991-92 Anu Kalijurand, Brigham Young
Year Men, School-Sport
2006-07 Colt Brennan, Hawai‘i-Football
2005-06 Nick Fazekas, Nevada-Basketball
2004-05 Gabriel Wallin, Boise State-Track and Field
2003-04 Kirk Snyder, Nevada-Basketball
2002-03 Nick Watney, Fresno State-Golf
2001-02 David Carr, Fresno State-Football
2000-01 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU-Football
1999-00 Courtney Alexander, Fresno State-Basketball
1998-99 Andre Miller, Utah-Basketball
1997-98 Lars Frolander, SMU-Swimming
1996-97 Keith Van Horn, Utah-Basketball
1995-96 Keith Van Horn, Utah-Basketball
1994-95 Stoney Case, New Mexico-Football
1993-94 Marshall Faulk, San Diego State-Football
1992-93 Marshall Faulk, San Diego State-Football
1991-92 Carlton McDonald, Air Force-Football