Awards -- and tributes -- share stage at 'Golden Goldys'

The Golden Goldys, an annual awards event for the 750 student-athletes at the U of M, are part fun, part serious.

Men's gymnastics coach Mike Burns got the large crowd of athletes, plus coaches and school officials, laughing and cheering at TCF Bank Stadium when he walked across the stage on his hands at the start of the program like he did a year ago.

The two biggest awards -- best female athlete and best male athlete -- went to junior defenseman Megan Bozek and sophomore heavyweight wrestler Tony Nelson.

But there was more emotional moments than usual.

A moment of silence was held at the start for former football player Gary Tinsley, who died unexpectedly earlier this month.

And Joel Maturi's name came up constantly on the day his successor as the next athletic director, Norwood Teague, was introduced to the media and the public.

Maturi was the first speaker, after emcee Mike Grimm. Maturi received a standing ovation when he was introduced and he seemed to get just a wee bit emotional as he finished his speech.

"You know I am not good at that. Don't do that [Maturi began as the crowd applauded him.]. ... And wow. How impressive it is to look out here this evening. To see the wonderful turnout, the great energy here, including coach Burns going across the stage and I along with you am looking forward to a special night."

Maturi thanks U of M president Eric Kaler and other faculty for being there and those who put on the event.

"I am fond of saying, 'We are Minnesota'. That's my cheer and along with the student-athletes, coaches and staff define Minnesota athletics.

"Tonight we celebrate you, the student-athlete when we celebrate the past year. In our world and everything that we do, we kind of keep score. And we win sometimes and on occasion we lose. And the great thing about us at Minnesota, for the most part, we know how to win. And this evening is one where we honor and recognize those most deserving as determined by you and how special that is to all of us.

"As competitive as I am -- and I promise you no one in this room is more competitive than I am -- I have come to learn that in college athletics, the scoreboard shouldn't define or determine my identity or yours. That is determined by your attitude and your effort -- as I have told you so often -- in the classroom, in the community, in practice, in competition with your teammates and for me and others in the workplace and for all of us in our home.

"It had great influence on me then and it continues to do so today. You have heard me repeat his definition of success. Success is a peace of mind, it is self-satisfaction of you knowing that you have done everything that you can do to be as good as you can be.

"Remember that definition.And more importantly, try to live by it. It is not easy. It is not easy to always do the right thing. It is not always easy to make the right decision. But if you do, your identity will be one you and all who know you can be proud of and you will be successful.

"Seniors when you arrived, probably every time you heard me speak other times, you all have heard me talk about two goals I have for you. No. 1 is to leave the University of Minnesota with your degree. And No. 2 that you leave here with positive and meaningful experiences. I pray that is the case.

"Remember you will always be a Gopher. Thank you for all you have done to represent this department, this university and this state. ... This journey called life is not always easy, as evidenced by the loss of Gary [Tinsley] just 17 days ago. But we are measured by how we respond to adversity, how we respond to tragedy. That is when we are tested and our attitude and effort will determine our personal success and our real identity.

"There are many here willing to help, who are able to help and who want to help. So when you need it, don't be afraid to ask. I leave you with the hope that you understand there is much to enjoy on this journey, so enjoy tonight, tomorrow and the days that follow because each one are precious. Take advantage of them. God bless."

Near the middle of the program Maturi and his wife Lois were given the teammate of the decade award. Said Lois Maturi, "You have no idea how much each and every one of you mean to my husband."

Before that award was presented, a "thank you" video to Maturi was shown. Athletes from seemingly every sport the U has, said something kind about Maturi ... "He was an all-around good guy. Joel loved all sports." ... "I appreciate the way you would come into our locker room." .... "Thank you Joel and have a good one."

Hassan Mead, a cross-country and track athlete in his fifth year, received an individual award later in the program and like several other athletes and coaches receicing awards had a kind word for Maturi.

"I've been here for five years," Mead said, "and I feel like I have known [Maturi] for 20 years. Its and honor and any words I can't think of. Thank you very much."

Said wrestling coach J Robinson, in accepting the award for best coach of a men's team: "[Joel Maturi] has given me everything I have needed to be as good as I could here. He has allowed me to keep my assistant coaches when other people come and try to get them.

A slide show about Tinsley, with accompanying music, also was shown during Monday night's program. It was mostly of him making plays on the football field. At the end, the crowd was asked to stand up, laugh and make noise to remember Tinsley in a way he would have wanted.

Here is a breakdown of the award winners:

Rookie of the year

Female: Rachel Banham, women's basketball

Male: Dylan Ness, wrestling

Female: Megan Bozek, women's hockey

Nate Schmidt, men's hockey

Coach of the year

Women's team: Brad Frost, hockey

Men's team: J Robinson, wrestling

Women's team: hockey

Men's team: wrestling

McNamara student-athlete achievement award

Hassan Mean, men's cross-country

Community service awards

Men's tennis

Outstanding academic team awards

Small rosters: women's and men's tennis

Large rosters: women's cross-country and men's track and field

Outstanding achievement award

Male: Nathan Jobe, men's swimming and diving

Athletes of the year

Female: Bozek. She was a first team all-america defenseman for the NCAA champion Gophers. Her 42 points were the second most in the nation by a blue-liner.