The Bennys
The Bennys is an annual event at Oregon State University that culminates the academic and athletic year. The Bennys recognize student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams, and friends of the athletic department for their excellence on and off the fields of play, and for their support throughout the year.
The Bennys ceremony begins at Parker Plaza, located between Gill Coliseum and Reser Stadium, with hors d'oeuvres and games. The official ceremony is located at LaSells Stewart Center, located just east of Reser Stadium.
The event is open to the public. Ticket prices are announced approximately a month before the early June ceremony.
THE BENNYS (Year of Awards)
ALL-AMERICANS
This Benny is presented to the individuals who achieved All-American status (includes Academic) during the academic year.
Anthony Arvidson (golf, 2001)
Tarrah Beyster (softball, 1999, 2000)
Inoke Breckterfield (football, 1999)
Brandon Browner (football, 2004)
Nathan Coy (wrestling, 2002)
Lara Degenhardt (gymnastics, 2000, 2001)
Mari Embertson (swimming, 2004)
Alan Gordon (soccer, 2004)
DeLawrence Grant (football, 2001)
Brynnen Guthrie (softball, 2003)
Naya Higashijima (swimming, 2002, 2003)
Vanessa Iapala (softball, 2004)
Steven Jackson (football, 2003, 2004)
Elizabeth Jillson (gymnastics, 2002)
Eric Jorgensen (wrestling, 2001)
Aaron Koch (football, 2000)
Aaron McHardy (soccer, 2003)
Mitch Meeuwsen (football, 2002)
Scott Nicholson (baseball, 2001)
Mat Orndorff (wrestling, 1999)
Felicia Ragland (women's basketball, 2001, 2002)
Tanya Ricioli (gymnastics, 2000)
Gina Schmidt (volleyball, 2002)
Richard Seigler (football, 2001)
Katrina Severin (gymnastics, 2000, 2001)
Ken Simonton (football, 2000, 2001)
Birte Steven (swimming, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Annette Taylor (gymnastics, 2000)
Dennis Weathersby (football, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
Julia White-Hoppe (rowing, 2003, 2004)
PAC-10 CHAMPIONS (began at 2003 Bennys)
Elizabeth Jillson (gymastics, 2003)
Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics, 2003)
Matt Ellis (wrestling, 2004)
NCAA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS (began at 2004 Bennys)
Tanya Ricioli-Hebron (gymastics, 2004)
CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT (began at 2004 Bennys)
Matt Brock (football, 2004)
Brina Chaney (women's basketball, 2004)
Sean Deacon (golf, 2004)
K.C. Frederic (volleyball, 2004)
Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics, 2004)
Jed Pennell (wrestling, 2004)
Birte Steven (swimming, 2004)
Kirk Yliniemi (football, 2004)
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
This Benny is presented to the scholar-athletes who have achieved success in both the classroom and on the fields of play.
Sam Bobek (rowing, 2001)
Cassie Bouska (rowing, 2001)
Nate Brentano (football, 2003)
Clay Carnahan (soccer, 2003)
Brina Chaney (women's basketball, 2004)
Stephen Copeland (baseball, 2003)
Morgan Crabtree (soccer, 2003)
Sean Deacon (golf, 2003, 2004)
Anne Marie Fallow (soccer, 2001)
Paula Finlay (swimming, 2003)
K.C. Frederic (volleyball, 2004)
Kathleen Freeborn (rowing, 2003)
Emmy Gardner (rowing, 2002)
Tami Halleck (volleyball, 2003)
Thad Johnson (baseball, 2001)
Kaitlyn Kernek (women's rowing, 2004)
Aaron Koch (football, 1999)
Jerra Lopez (gymnastics, 2002)
Jona Maukonen (soccer, 1999)
Aaron McHardy (soccer, 2003)
John Millar (football, 2003, 2004)
Katrina Nelson (volleyball, 2003)
Megan Oest (rowing, 2001)
Carina Olsson (golf, 2001)
Jed Pennell (wrestling, 2003, 2004)
Bonnie Renwick (swimming, 2002)
Abby Roos (rowing, 2001)
Gina Schmidt (volleyball, 2002)
Lynn Simmons (rowing, 2003)
Lauren Sommers (rowing, 2002)
Birte Steven (swimming, 2004)
Beth Thomason (soccer, 2000)
Aaron Wells (football, 2000)
Andy Wheeler (rowing, 2003)
Curt Willener (wresting, 2003, 2004)
David Williams (golf, 2003)
GLENN KLEIN COMMUNITY SERVICE
This Benny is presented to the individual who has made a significant contribution to the community; such as volunteering in local schools, working with the DARE program, etc.
Paul Barron (wrestling, 2000)
Todd Deacon (golf, 2001)
Christian Greene (rowing, 2001)
Courtney Carter (soccer, 2002)
Adam Daniel (wrestling, 2002)
Ross Duncan (soccer, 2003)
Ashley Johnston (soccer, 2003)
Kaitlyn Kernek (rowing, 2004)
Kurt Ness (soccer, 2004)
MARTIN CHAVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
This Benny is presented to the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Oregon State University Athletics.
Bert Babb (2000)
Paul Valenti (2001)
Sue Poorman (2002)
Dee Andros (2003)
Nat Giustina (2004)
ROBERT BYERS SPIRIT AWARD
This Benny is presented to the individual(s) or organization who has supported Oregon State Athletics at various events or who has demonstrated courage in the face of adversity.
Wesley and Brady Haynes (1999)
Cory Luth (2000)
OSU Alumni Association (2001)
Casey Horn (wrestling, 2002)
Student Athlete Advisory Committee (2003)
Bob Westlund and Curt Willener (2004)
JOE ZAHER MALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
This Benny is awarded to an outstanding male individual in his first year of competition at Oregon State University.
Dennis Weathersby (football, 2000)
Richard Seigler (football, 2001)
Mitch Meeuwsen (football, 2002)
Joe Zaher (soccer, 2003)
Robbie FIndley (soccer, 2004)
FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
This Benny is awarded to an outstanding female individual in her first year of competition at Oregon State University.
Naya Higashijima (swimming, 2000)
Birte Steven (swimming, 2001)
Juleen Smith (basketball, 2002)
Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics, 2003)
Chelsea Plourde (gymnastics, 2004)
COACH OF THE YEAR (Women's Sports)
This Benny is presented to the outstanding coach in a women's sport.
Tanya Chaplin (gymnastics, 2000, 2001, 2004)
Mariusz Podkoscielny (swimming, 2002)
Kirk Walker (softball, 1999, 2003)
COACH OF THE YEAR (Men's Sports)
This Benny is awarded to the outstanding coach in a men's sport.
Dennis Erickson (football, 2000, 2001)
Dave Reischman (rowing, 2002)
Dana Taylor (soccer, 2003, 2004)
PLAY OF THE YEAR
Football Victory over California (2000)
Opossum running the length of the field vs. USC (2001)
MALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
This Benny is presented to the male student-athlete with the top performance during the academic year.
Eric Jorgensen (wrestling, 2001)
Ben Rowe (baseball, 2002)
Jed Pennell (wrestling, 2003)
David Lucas (basketball, 2004)
FEMALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
This Benny is presented to the female student-athlete with the top performance during the academic year.
Katrina Severin (gymnastics, 2001)
Monica Hoffman (softball, 2002, 2003)
Brina Chaney (basketball, 2004)
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
This Benny is awarded to an outstanding student-athlete in a men's sport.
Inoke Breckterfield (football, 1999)
Eric Jorgensen (wrestling, 2000)
Ken Simonton (football, 2001)
Nathan Coy (wrestling, 2002)
Steven Jackson (football, 2003, 2004)
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
This Benny is awarded to an outstanding student-athlete in a women's sport.
Tarrah Beyster (softball, 1999, 2000)
Felicia Ragland (basketball, 2001, 2002)
Birte Steven (swimming, 2003, 2004)
MALE TEAM OF THE YEAR
This Benny is presented to the top men's team.
Football (2000, 2001)
Rowing (2002, 2004)
Soccer (2003)
FEMALE TEAM OF THE YEAR
This Benny is presented to the top women's team.
Softball (1999, 2004)
Gymnastics (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
