Toros Honor Best of the Best at Annual Student-Athlete Awards Reception
Volleyball's Bonilla garners prestigious Dr. Richard Butwell Award to highlight evening of accolades
May 10, 2006

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Carson, CA -- Toros volleyball senior Sylvia Bonilla (Los Angeles, CA/Fremont HS) took home the prestigious Dr. Richard Butwell Award for her stellar work in the classroom, on the court and in the community, highlighting the annual CSUDH Student-Athlete Awards Reception which was held Tuesday night (May 9) at Extended Education, honoring student-athletes from the 2005-06 school year for both their athletic and academic efforts.

CSUDH President James E. Lyons with Sylvia Bonila, recipient of the Dr. Richard Butwell Award

Emceed by Alonzo Green, CSUDH Athletics Marketing and Promotions Coordinator, the standing-room only event was attended by contingents from all 11 sports, as well as by CSUDH faculty and staff, CSUDH corporate partners, and families whose respective names appear on two separate awards. Overall, 14 awards were bestowed to student-athletes and one coach on the evening, while two others were presented to Toros supporters from the community.

Softball’s Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/SE Missouri University) and men’s soccer’s Jaret Minami (Torrance, CA/West Torrance HS) received the Dr. Hal Charnofsky CSUDH Memorial Scholar Athletes of the Year nods for their successful work in the classroom, while men’s soccer’s Shogo Okuma (San Gabriel, CA/ELAC) and women's soccer’s Sandra Lloyd (Fountain Valley, CA/Fountain Valley HS) were chosen as the CSUDH representatives for the CCAA Charnofsky Awards, as recognized by the CCAA league office.

Volleyball’s Sophie Ahumada (Norwalk, CA/El Camino College) received the Jennifer Winkelspecht Award, named after the former Toro volleyball player who passed away before the start of the 1995 season. This award is given annually to the Toro who most exemplifies great personal character and has had his/her achievement recognized by the student-athlete educators and peers.

Women’s basketball’s Tameka Blue (Watsonville, CA/Santa Cruz HS), the CSUDH all-time career leader in points scored, and men’s soccer All-American Kei Kamara (Lawndale, CA/Leuzinger HS), who recently was chosen the No. 9 overall pick in this year’s Major League Soccer SuperDraft, were recipients of the Toros Athletes of the Year Awards.

The Dr. Richard Butwell Award, named after the former President of the University, is bestowed upon the student-athlete who goes above and beyond the call of duty, not only achieving success in the classroom and on the playing field, but who also is an active member of the community as a representative of Cal State Dominguez Hills. Bonilla, a former two-sport athlete who carries a 3.47 grade point average in biology while majoring in Spanish, finished her 4th and final season in Cardinal Red & Gold with the 3rd-highest total digs at 898, one season after having surgery on both ankles.

Among other student-athlete recipients were

• Men’s soccer’s Ricky Figueroa (Los Angeles, CA/Rio Hondo JC), who received the inaugural Mike Sharp Most Inspirational Award and later was joined by the former CSUDH golfer’s parents,
• Softball’s Cindy Perry-Brown (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) for career hits, runs scored and stolen bases,
• Softball’s Groden for career doubles and RBI,
• Men’s soccer’s Francisco Corona (Paramount, CA/LA Harbor JC) for career points,
• Women’s basketball’s Blue, also for career points,

Softball's head coach Jim Maier received a special distinction award in commemoration of his 200th victory last February, while DoubleTree owner Phil Barney and Mary Carrido of MLC and Associates, Inc. each received an award for their support of Toros Athletics.

After the presentations were completed, Athletics Director Patrick Guillen thanked the audience for their attendance, and introduced a video montage capturing the 2005-06 season, which included moments from not only athletic competition and community service, but also images from road trips and other University events encompassing the vibrant personality that is Toros Athletics.