April 15, 2002
Center Cliff Washburn captured the William Ackerman Award and guard Travis Cantrell won the Most Valuable Player Award as The Citadel recognized its team and players during the annual basketball awards banquet Monday night at the Regimental Commanders' Riverview Room on campus.
The Citadel celebrated one of its most successful seasons in school history, posting a 17-12 record, the most regular-season victories since 1989. Highlights of the season included a No. 23 national ranking among mid-majors after jumping to a 13-4 mark; extending the winning streak in McAlister Field House to 14 games; a 36-point home win over Navy; a thrilling double-overtime win at Western Carolina in which Cantrell tied a school mark of nine three pointers; defeating eight of the 11 conference opponents including rival College of Charleston, and the school's ninth victory all-time in the Southern Conference Tournament.
The William Ackerman Award, named for one of the program's greatest supporters, is presented annually to the player who displays the highest qualities of sportsmanship, determination, cooperation, effort, citizenship, teamwork and unselfishness. Washburn, a 6-7 senior from Shelby, NC, won the award for the second time in his career.
Cantrell, who finished his career as the school's top three-pointer shooter and eighth all-time leading scorer, was recognized as the most valuable player.
Director of Athletics Les Robinson presented the Keith Hamilton Award for sportsmanship, leadership and community service to senior forward Alan Puckett.
Junior swingman Michael Joseph received the Most Improved Player Award and center Gregg Jones was recognized with the Hustle Award. Junior forward Clyde Wormley captured the Outstanding Defender Award and junior forward Romas Krywonis earned the Academic Award.
Individually, Cantrell, Puckett and Washburn each finished their careers with over 1,000 points marking the second time in school history three 1,000-point scorers were on the same floor. Washburn concluded his career as the eighth-best rebounder in school history. Cantrell, who finished second in Southern Conference history for three-point field goals made in a career as well as setting the school record, concluded the season as the NCAA's seventh-best 3-point shooter (3-pointers made per game) and the 11th best free throw percentage shooter.
2001-02 Citadel Basketball Team Awards
William Ackerman Award - Cliff WashburnMost Valuable Player Award - Travis CantrellKeith Hamilton Award - Alan PuckettMost Improved Player Award - Michael JosephHustle Award - Gregg JonesOutstanding Defender Award - Clyde WormleyAcademic Award - Romas Krywonis
Previous William Ackerman Award Winners1996 - Matt Newman1997 - Ryan Sears1998 - Bryan Patton1999 - Mike Roy2000 - Cliff Washburn2001 - Gregg Jones2002 - Cliff Washburn
