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Photo by: John Quackenbos
Boston College Hosts 78th Annual Scanlan Banquet
December 11, 2016 | Football
Senior DT Kevin Kavalec wins the Scanlan Award
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Boston College football team celebrated the 2016 season with the senior awards banquet on Sunday afternoon in BC's iconic Gasson Hall. Senior defensive end Kevin Kavalec was awarded the Scanlan Award, Boston College's highest football honor given to the senior who best embodies the ideals of Tom Scanlan, class of 1920. All 17 of Boston College's seniors were honored at the banquet.
A courageous and inspiring fullback who played both offense and defense for the Eagle teams of 1916, 1917, and 1919, forgoing the 1918 season for military service in World War I, Thomas F. Scanlan was a popular student-athlete and beloved alumnus, who was elected Varsity Club President for five consecutive years (1942-1946). He was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972.
Kavalec put together a strong senior season both on the field and in the classroom becoming just the third Eagle in school history to earn Academic All-America honors. The Middleburg Heights, Ohio, native recorded 50 tackles, including 13.5 tackles-for-loss in 12 starts this season. Kavalec tied a career-high with 10 tackles at Virginia Tech on Sept. 17 and notched four solo tackles, including one TFL, in the win at Massachusetts on Sept. 10.
He ranks fifth on the team in tackles and leads all BC defensive linemen in tackles on the season with 50. He is second on the team in TFLs and among the team leaders with 3.5 sacks.
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Senior linebacker Matt Milano earned the William J. Flynn award as the team's most valuable player.  Milano earned All-ACC honorable mention honors for the second consecutive season after starting all 12 games as a senior in 2016. The Florida native is fourth on the team with 55 tackles and is tied for the team-lead with 40 solo stops. Milano is fourth on the team with 9.5 tackles-for-loss and totaled five sacks on the season. Milano returned his first career interception for a touchdown in the 30-0 win over Connecticut on Nov. 19.
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Senior running back Tyler Rouse received the Coaches' Award, decided upon by head coach Steve Addazio and his staff, while senior offensive lineman Jim Cashman earned the Gridiron Club Award as the student-athlete who displays the determination, enthusiasm, and spirit expected from a Boston College football player.
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Senior running back Myles Willis was awarded the Paul Cavanaugh Award, given to the player who's collective on and off the field accomplishments speaks volumes about his commitment to balance, a level-headed outlook on life, and perspective on volunteerism, ethics and the community.
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Senior wide receiver Drew Barksdale earned the Perseverance Award while classmate tight end Michael Giacone was awarded the Determination Award, senior long snapper Leonard Skubal was presented with the Special Team Award and senior fullback Bobby Wolford was presented with the Courage Award.
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Senior defensive back John Johnson was given the Jay McGillis Award, given to the defensive back that best exemplifies the personal qualities of team dedication and leadership by example, an extraordinary competitive spirit and a personal concern for family, friends and teammates.
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Senior linebacker Mike Strizak was given the Frank Chamberlain Award as BC's most outstanding linebacker while classmate defensive lineman Truman Gutapfel was honored with the Russ Joyner Award for the most outstanding defensive lineman. The two veterans were key members of a Boston College front seven that was among the nation's leaders in sacks, tackles-for-loss and total defense.Â
A courageous and inspiring fullback who played both offense and defense for the Eagle teams of 1916, 1917, and 1919, forgoing the 1918 season for military service in World War I, Thomas F. Scanlan was a popular student-athlete and beloved alumnus, who was elected Varsity Club President for five consecutive years (1942-1946). He was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972.
Kavalec put together a strong senior season both on the field and in the classroom becoming just the third Eagle in school history to earn Academic All-America honors. The Middleburg Heights, Ohio, native recorded 50 tackles, including 13.5 tackles-for-loss in 12 starts this season. Kavalec tied a career-high with 10 tackles at Virginia Tech on Sept. 17 and notched four solo tackles, including one TFL, in the win at Massachusetts on Sept. 10.
He ranks fifth on the team in tackles and leads all BC defensive linemen in tackles on the season with 50. He is second on the team in TFLs and among the team leaders with 3.5 sacks.
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Senior linebacker Matt Milano earned the William J. Flynn award as the team's most valuable player.  Milano earned All-ACC honorable mention honors for the second consecutive season after starting all 12 games as a senior in 2016. The Florida native is fourth on the team with 55 tackles and is tied for the team-lead with 40 solo stops. Milano is fourth on the team with 9.5 tackles-for-loss and totaled five sacks on the season. Milano returned his first career interception for a touchdown in the 30-0 win over Connecticut on Nov. 19.
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Senior running back Tyler Rouse received the Coaches' Award, decided upon by head coach Steve Addazio and his staff, while senior offensive lineman Jim Cashman earned the Gridiron Club Award as the student-athlete who displays the determination, enthusiasm, and spirit expected from a Boston College football player.
Â
Senior running back Myles Willis was awarded the Paul Cavanaugh Award, given to the player who's collective on and off the field accomplishments speaks volumes about his commitment to balance, a level-headed outlook on life, and perspective on volunteerism, ethics and the community.
Â
Senior wide receiver Drew Barksdale earned the Perseverance Award while classmate tight end Michael Giacone was awarded the Determination Award, senior long snapper Leonard Skubal was presented with the Special Team Award and senior fullback Bobby Wolford was presented with the Courage Award.
Â
Senior defensive back John Johnson was given the Jay McGillis Award, given to the defensive back that best exemplifies the personal qualities of team dedication and leadership by example, an extraordinary competitive spirit and a personal concern for family, friends and teammates.
Â
Senior linebacker Mike Strizak was given the Frank Chamberlain Award as BC's most outstanding linebacker while classmate defensive lineman Truman Gutapfel was honored with the Russ Joyner Award for the most outstanding defensive lineman. The two veterans were key members of a Boston College front seven that was among the nation's leaders in sacks, tackles-for-loss and total defense.Â
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