Feb. 16, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The annual Naval Academy football banquet was held Friday evening at a jam-packed Alumni Hall where several prestigious awards were handed out. The 2007 season was one for the record books as the Midshipmen posted an 8-5 record, won a school-record fifth-consecutive Commander-In-Chief's Trophy, appeared in a school-record fifth-straight bowl game, became the first team in NCAA history to lead the nation in rushing three-consecutive years (rushing for a school-record 348.8 yards per contest) and defeated Notre Dame for the first time since 1963. The senior class finished its career with 35 wins, tied with the Class of 2007 for the second most in school history.

Senior slot back Reggie Campbell (Sanford, Fla.) won the E.E. "Rip" Miller Award, which is presented to the season's most valuable player as voted on by his teammates. Campbell was a threat every time he touched the ball for the Midshipmen, rushing for 522 yards and five touchdowns on 71 carries (7.4 yards per carry), catching 13 passes for 242 yards (18.6 yards per catch) and four touchdowns, returning 40 kickoffs for 1,098 yards and two touchdowns and returning 11 punts for 157 yards. Campbell's 7.4 yards per carry this fall was a single-season school record for yards per carry, while his 40 kickoff returns and 1,098 kickoff return yards were also school records. Campbell's 73-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against North Texas was the first kickoff return for a touchdown by a Navy player since 1997, while his 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Army was the longest in school history and elevated him into the record books as the first Navy player in school history to return two kickoffs for a touchdown in a single season. Campbell's 2,019 all-purpose yards in 2007 rank third in school history for a single season.

Campbell also earned the Napoleon McCallum Award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has gained the most all-purpose yards in his career. Campbell racked up 4,737 all-purpose yards in his four years, the second most in school history behind only McCallum (7,172 yards)

Senior fullback Adam Ballard (Lewisville, Texas.) earned the Joe Bellino Award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who is the leading ground gainer over his playing career. Ballard rushed for 2,125 yards in his career, the seventh most in school history. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry in his career, the seventh-best career average in school history. His 81-yard touchdown run in 2006 against Connecticut was the fourth-longest run in school history.

Senior slot back Zerbin Singleton (Decatur, Ga.) was named the winner of the Roger Staubach Award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has contributed the most to the team's success over his playing career. Singleton was an inspirational figure for the Midshipmen on and off the field, overcoming adversity to become one of Navy's best players. Singleton rushed for 678 yards and 10 touchdowns on 94 carries (7.2 yards per carry), caught 16 passes for 323 yards (20.2 yards per catch) and one touchdown and returned 27 kickoffs for 559 yards in his career. Singleton finished his career playing the best football of his life, scoring nine touchdowns and rushing for more than 100 yards twice in the final five games.

Off the field, Singleton was awarded the Walt Disney Spirit Award and the Football Writers Association FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award for displaying an unwavering determination in overcoming a serious car wreck and a series of family tragedies to follow his dream of becoming a Division I football player and one day becoming a part of the U.S. Space program. Singleton, who carries a 3.14 grade-point average in aerospace engineering, is serving as the Brigade Commander this semester and is responsible for guiding and directing the daily activities of the Brigade of Midshipmen and acts as the liaison between the Brigade and the senior leadership at the Academy.

The First Lieutenant Ron Winchester Unsung Hero Award, which is presented to an unheralded senior recognized as an over achiever and role model as selected by a vote of his teammates, was presented to inside linebacker Jonathan Alvarado (Baton Rouge, La.). Alvarado has been a member of the team for all four years and earned a varsity letter this fall, playing in all 13 games. Alvarado's forced fumble on the goal line in the third quarter of the Army-Navy game was a key play, dashing any hope Army had of making a comeback. Alvarado also serves as the Eighth Company Commander.

Senior center Antron Harper (Eastman, Ga.) was awarded the George Fritzinger Memorial Award, presented annually to a member of the graduating class who as a football interior lineman has excelled as a student-athlete and has contributed to the overall team leadership and spirit. Harper started 38-consecutive games for the Mids on the offensive line, starting at guard for 25 games before moving to center his senior year for the betterment of the team. Harper excelled at center, earning All-East honors while helping pave the way for an offense that set school records for points scored (511), rushing yards per game (348.8) and total offense per game (444.1 yards per game).

Senior linebacker Irv Spencer (Oakwood Village, Ohio) took home the Jeffrey R. Korn Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award, established by Jeff's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald D. Korn, in memory of their son, a member of the Class of 1983. The award is given annually to the First Classman on the team who has demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and on the football field. Spencer started all 13 games at inside linebacker this fall and stepped into the role as defensive team captain when Jeff Deliz went down with a season-ending injury in the second week of the season. Spencer led the Midshipmen with 95 tackles and seven pass break-ups, while finishing second on the team with 8.5 tackles for a loss.

Senior tackle Paul Bridgers (Gaithersburg, Md.) was the recipient of the Cmdr. Ralph Sentmann Award, which honors the member of the graduating class from the varsity football team who has achieved the greatest increase in class standing from Plebe year until First Class year. Bridgers, who had not played much his first three years, emerged as a starter at tackle midway through his senior campaign and was one of Navy's better offensive linemen by the end of the year. Bridgers played in all 13 games in 2007, starting six.

Freshman slot back Andre Byrd (Jacksonville, Fla.) was awarded the Collins/Roos Class of 1949 Junior Varsity MVP Award, presented annually to the most valuable player on the junior varsity football team as chosen by a vote of his teammates. Byrd was the leading rusher for the JV team last fall and is expected to compete for playing time on the varsity this spring.