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Anthony Winbush Honored as Ball State Football’s 2017 Most Outstanding Player
December 09, 2017 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State football team held its annual Honors Banquet to wrap up the 2017 season in downtown Muncie Saturday night at the Horizon Convention Center.
Senior defensive end Anthony Winbush headlined the banquet by taking home the John Magnabosco Award, which is given to the team's most outstanding player. The Magnabosco Award is named in honor of Ball State's head football coach from 1935-52. Magnabosco's 68 victories as the Cardinals' head coach is still the program record.
Winbush tied the Ball State career record for sacks (25) against Buffalo on Nov. 16. His 11.5 sacks this season ranks fourth nationally. The native of Indianapolis, Indiana, tallied at least one sack in seven games in 2017, including a personal-high 3.0 sacks in the season opener at Illinois. Winbush, a first team All-Mid-American Conference pick, also leads the nation in forced fumbles (5) and ranks 16th nationally in tackles for loss (16.5).
The Willie Snead True Cardinal Award went to senior offensive lineman Vinnie Palazeti. This award is meant to honor a player who goes above and beyond the call of a collegiate football student-athlete. Snead, who concluded his Cardinals career in 2013, racked up 2,991 receiving yards in his three years on the team, the second most in Ball State history. Undrafted out of college, Snead was let go by two NFL teams before finding a home with the New Orleans Saints.
Palazeti, a native of Owosso, Michigan, played left guard, left tackle and right tackle for the Cardinals this season. A team captain and third team All-MAC honoree, he helped Ball State rush for a season-high 293 yards in the season finale against Miami (Ohio). Palazeti was on two national award watch lists this season – the Campbell Trophy (best scholar-athlete in the nation) and Wuerffel Trophy (college football's premiere award for community service).
Sophomore linebacker Jacob White was the recipient of the Dave McClain Leadership Award. The McClain Award is given in memory of the deceased Dave McClain, who was Ball State's head football coach from 1971-77 and guided the Cardinals to a 46-25-3 overall record. He oversaw the Cardinals during the transition into the Mid-American Conference and NCAA Division I football. McClain led Ball State to the 1976 MAC championship in only the Cardinals' second season in the conference. McClain's final three Ball State teams posted a combined 26-7 overall mark and a 13-4 MAC record.
White, one of the defensive captains in 2017, led the team in tackles (72) and recorded a personal-high 10 stops against Buffalo on Nov. 16. He finished with at least five tackles in nine of his 11 appearances. White played the final nine games with a cast on his right hand after suffering a broken bone in his hand.
Sophomore Danny Pinter earned the nod for the Ray Louthen Award. This award, which honors the memory of the former Ball State head football coach (1962-67) and school's athletics director (1970-81), is bestowed upon the team's most improved player(s).
Pinter, hailing from South Bend, Indiana, was the team's starting tight end until he suffered a season-ending injury in game seven against Central Michigan. He notched his first collegiate touchdown in the win over UAB on Sept. 9.
Kick returner Malik Dunner received the Bill Reynolds Special Teams Award. The award is named in memory of Reynolds, who spent 31 years as a volunteer in the Ball State athletics department with an emphasis on the football program prior to his death in the summer of 2000. Dunner, a third team All-MAC selection, ranked second in the league in kick return average (24.4 yards per return). His 93-yard return for a touchdown late in the third quarter against UAB on Sept. 9 helped secure a win over the Blazers.
The Gene Booker Academic Award went to junior offensive lineman Alex Joss. The award has been given annually since 1978 and was named in honor of Gene Booker for the first time in 2011. Booker was a member of Ball State's 1949 football team, which is the only unbeaten and untied team in the school's history. Joss was in the starting lineup in the season opener at Illinois, but suffered an injury late in the game and missed the rest of the season. The finance major currently carries a 3.729 grade point average.
Senior offensive lineman Pat Maloney was honored with the Mark Hays Inspiration Award, which is given to the person(s) who demonstrates the greatest ability to motivate and inspire his teammates. The award is given in the memory of the late son of Kermit and Mary Ellen Hays, both of whom have also passed away. The Hays family spent their lives as fans and supporters of Ball State's athletics program. Maloney, slated to be a starter on the offensive line this year, was medically disqualified before the start of training camp in August. He stuck with the team as a student assistant coach with the running backs.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Brandon Martin came away with the Paul Schudel Strength and Conditioning Award, which is given in honor of the former Ball State football coach (1985-94), who led the Cardinals to the 1989 and 1993 MAC championships. Schudel guided Ball State to its first-ever NCAA Division I FBS bowl games with appearances in the 1989 California Raisin Bowl and the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl.
The John Hodge Award, which goes to the team's most valuable freshman, went to a pair of offensive contributors – wide receiver Justin Hall and running back Caleb Huntley. Hall, who was tabbed a second team All-MAC selection, leads all freshmen in the nation in receptions (78) and ranks second among freshmen in receiving yards (801). Huntley capped his season by rushing for a season-high 159 yards against Miami on Nov. 21. He is only the second freshman in Ball State history to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing in a season (1,003).
Finally, the Bill Meitzler Scout Team Players of the Year were wide receiver Trevor Hohlt and defensive end Jordan Williams. The award is given in honor of the former Cardinal Varsity Club board member as well as longtime fan and supporter of Ball State football.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Senior defensive end Anthony Winbush headlined the banquet by taking home the John Magnabosco Award, which is given to the team's most outstanding player. The Magnabosco Award is named in honor of Ball State's head football coach from 1935-52. Magnabosco's 68 victories as the Cardinals' head coach is still the program record.
Winbush tied the Ball State career record for sacks (25) against Buffalo on Nov. 16. His 11.5 sacks this season ranks fourth nationally. The native of Indianapolis, Indiana, tallied at least one sack in seven games in 2017, including a personal-high 3.0 sacks in the season opener at Illinois. Winbush, a first team All-Mid-American Conference pick, also leads the nation in forced fumbles (5) and ranks 16th nationally in tackles for loss (16.5).
The Willie Snead True Cardinal Award went to senior offensive lineman Vinnie Palazeti. This award is meant to honor a player who goes above and beyond the call of a collegiate football student-athlete. Snead, who concluded his Cardinals career in 2013, racked up 2,991 receiving yards in his three years on the team, the second most in Ball State history. Undrafted out of college, Snead was let go by two NFL teams before finding a home with the New Orleans Saints.
Palazeti, a native of Owosso, Michigan, played left guard, left tackle and right tackle for the Cardinals this season. A team captain and third team All-MAC honoree, he helped Ball State rush for a season-high 293 yards in the season finale against Miami (Ohio). Palazeti was on two national award watch lists this season – the Campbell Trophy (best scholar-athlete in the nation) and Wuerffel Trophy (college football's premiere award for community service).
Sophomore linebacker Jacob White was the recipient of the Dave McClain Leadership Award. The McClain Award is given in memory of the deceased Dave McClain, who was Ball State's head football coach from 1971-77 and guided the Cardinals to a 46-25-3 overall record. He oversaw the Cardinals during the transition into the Mid-American Conference and NCAA Division I football. McClain led Ball State to the 1976 MAC championship in only the Cardinals' second season in the conference. McClain's final three Ball State teams posted a combined 26-7 overall mark and a 13-4 MAC record.
White, one of the defensive captains in 2017, led the team in tackles (72) and recorded a personal-high 10 stops against Buffalo on Nov. 16. He finished with at least five tackles in nine of his 11 appearances. White played the final nine games with a cast on his right hand after suffering a broken bone in his hand.
Sophomore Danny Pinter earned the nod for the Ray Louthen Award. This award, which honors the memory of the former Ball State head football coach (1962-67) and school's athletics director (1970-81), is bestowed upon the team's most improved player(s).
Pinter, hailing from South Bend, Indiana, was the team's starting tight end until he suffered a season-ending injury in game seven against Central Michigan. He notched his first collegiate touchdown in the win over UAB on Sept. 9.
Kick returner Malik Dunner received the Bill Reynolds Special Teams Award. The award is named in memory of Reynolds, who spent 31 years as a volunteer in the Ball State athletics department with an emphasis on the football program prior to his death in the summer of 2000. Dunner, a third team All-MAC selection, ranked second in the league in kick return average (24.4 yards per return). His 93-yard return for a touchdown late in the third quarter against UAB on Sept. 9 helped secure a win over the Blazers.
The Gene Booker Academic Award went to junior offensive lineman Alex Joss. The award has been given annually since 1978 and was named in honor of Gene Booker for the first time in 2011. Booker was a member of Ball State's 1949 football team, which is the only unbeaten and untied team in the school's history. Joss was in the starting lineup in the season opener at Illinois, but suffered an injury late in the game and missed the rest of the season. The finance major currently carries a 3.729 grade point average.
Senior offensive lineman Pat Maloney was honored with the Mark Hays Inspiration Award, which is given to the person(s) who demonstrates the greatest ability to motivate and inspire his teammates. The award is given in the memory of the late son of Kermit and Mary Ellen Hays, both of whom have also passed away. The Hays family spent their lives as fans and supporters of Ball State's athletics program. Maloney, slated to be a starter on the offensive line this year, was medically disqualified before the start of training camp in August. He stuck with the team as a student assistant coach with the running backs.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Brandon Martin came away with the Paul Schudel Strength and Conditioning Award, which is given in honor of the former Ball State football coach (1985-94), who led the Cardinals to the 1989 and 1993 MAC championships. Schudel guided Ball State to its first-ever NCAA Division I FBS bowl games with appearances in the 1989 California Raisin Bowl and the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl.
The John Hodge Award, which goes to the team's most valuable freshman, went to a pair of offensive contributors – wide receiver Justin Hall and running back Caleb Huntley. Hall, who was tabbed a second team All-MAC selection, leads all freshmen in the nation in receptions (78) and ranks second among freshmen in receiving yards (801). Huntley capped his season by rushing for a season-high 159 yards against Miami on Nov. 21. He is only the second freshman in Ball State history to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing in a season (1,003).
Finally, the Bill Meitzler Scout Team Players of the Year were wide receiver Trevor Hohlt and defensive end Jordan Williams. The award is given in honor of the former Cardinal Varsity Club board member as well as longtime fan and supporter of Ball State football.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
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