Senior offensive lineman Robbie McCarty has been named the 2017 recipient of the Lyle Bauman Service Award. For those that knew Lyle, his life was the epitome of service. Lyle worked within dining services, but his reach extended much further than that. He built relationships with students from all walks, and in particular with our student athletes. Lyle had a particular soft spot for the football team, and traditionally helped with both the block party and the block party auction. He donated his trailer grill to the football team, in hopes that we’d continue to use it and enjoy the good times with good friends, as he certainly did. We’ve honored Lyle’s memory each year since his passing in the spring of 2013. As this year's recipient, Robbie joins a special group, including teammate Jeff Keele '19.
Coming to Grinnell from Florida, Robbie stepped in and started on the offensive line from day one. Robbie started his first three seasons at center, before moving to right tackle as a senior. He was a steady, consistent presence day in and day out for four years. In 2016 he helped pave the way for the best team rushing total since 2004, and this year he helped running back Carson Dunn to the best individual rushing season since 2004.
Robbie has also spent countless hours working in the Fitness Center and the Training Room, providing valuable assistance to head trainer Sylla Lowther, and he has been a constant supporter of all our athletic teams at Grinnell. It will be tough to have an offensive line without Robbie next year, but his absence will be noticed much beyond the football team. Thank you Robbie!
Congratulations to Hassan Thompson for winning the Troy Barboza Courage Award! Former Pioneer Troy Barboza was enjoying a succesful career in law enforcement when he was involved in a major drug bust as an undercover detective. Days before he was scheduled to testify for the case, Barboza was murdered inside of his home. Because of the great display of courage Troy showed during his time at Grinnell, as well as during his time in law enforcement, we have honored his memory with this award each year since 1993. Notable past winners include Troy Dougherty (All American), Zack Fletcher, Nick Merklin, Tom Brinkman (who were all recognized as all-conference and all pursued a career in coaching and teaching) and Carson Dunn (last year’s winner).
In 2017 Hassan enjoyed his best season yet, recording 61 total tackles, 33 of them solo, 6 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and a blocked punt. In week 2 against Trinity, Hassan's blocked punt traveled out of the back of the end zone for our first points of the game, giving us the momentum we needed to eventually come away with the 15-6 win.
Hassan was part of a start-up football program in high school, and was the heart and soul of that team. He came to Grinnell all the way from New Orleans, relying on his coaches and teammates to help ease the transition, while leaving family behind. He's grown as a person and as a leader each year, he's since moved his family here to Grinnell, and he's now one of the guys welcoming younger guys and mentoring them through their first weeks and months on campus. We're incredibly proud of all Hassan has accomplished at Grinnell, and we're anxious to see what he does next year in his senior season. Congratulations Hassan!
Congratulations to Jordan Hall, the winner of our Pioneer
Outstanding Scholar Award! Hall, a native of Chicago, IL, had an
outstanding season both on the field and off. The Most Outstanding Scholar
Award is given to the Pioneer that we believe is the best representation of a
true scholar athlete. It isn’t automatically given to the person with the
highest gpa, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be the best player, but rather to someone
that represents the ideals of a scholar athlete. The recipient is someone who dedicates their time
to their studies and to learning, but also someone who values their athletic
endeavors to an equal level, and someone that strives to be the best at both.
Last year's winner was defensive back and kicker Ibuki Ogasawara, who is now doing very well at Amazon, Japan. Jordan was an excellent selection this year. He was named to the Dean's List in the fall of '17, and is well on track to be named Academic All-Conference this year. He is a leader in our locker room and played very well at corner for us this year. He's started every game he's been healthy, and we are excited to see what he is
going to do in the years to come! Congrats Jordan!
