Women's basketball earns six of 13 Chippys Awards, as voted by fans
More than 600 come out to celebrate student-athletes and Special Olympics at Chippys Awards
Student-athletes, coaches, professors, fans and Special Olympic athletes filled Plachta Auditorium Sunday for the eighth Chippys Awards Show, presenting the best in CMU athletics, as voted by the fans.
The award show was started eight years ago by two baseball players to celebrate the success of student-athletes. Three years ago, the Chippys paired up with Special Olympics Michigan to honor their athletes as well. All proceeds benefited the Special Olympics.
The award show started off with a comical video montage, introducing hosts senior baseball infielder Joe Houlihan and senior football defensive tackle Shafer Johnson.
"This is my third year as a host," Houlihan said. "It's a lot of work and stressful at times, but it's so worth it. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love the experience and all of the athletes coming together for one night. I was really happy to be a part of it."
Several categories of awards were given out by the Special Olympics Michigan athletes.
The women's basketball team took home the majority of the awards, winning six of the 13 awards, including best team, Assistant Coach of the Year (Heather Oesterle) and Freshman of the Year (Presley Hudson).
"I think it's really cool that they have the event to honor the Special Olympics and athletes," Hudson said. "For the SAC (Student-athlete Advisory Committee) and Jeremy (Ploch) to be able to put this event together is really awesome."
Hudson also won the best play award with her buzzer beater layup against Bowling Green.
Sophomore forward Tinara Moore also took Female Athlete of the Year and Breakthrough Athlete of the Year.
"I felt really accomplished," Moore said. "It was really nicely put together and it was really fun to see all of the athletes."
The Central Michigan baseball team also earned the Spirit of Special Olympics Award for their involvement with Special Olympics.
Other Chippys Awards winners
Male Athlete of the Year: Chris Fowler (men's basketball)
Best Championship Performance: Bryttany Kaplan and Megan Lamphere at the 2016 MAC Gymnastics Championship
Best Game: Baseball vs. Michigan State at the 2015 Clash at Comerica
Coach of the Year: John Bonamego (football)
Professor of the Year: Tim Otteman
Fan of the Year: 6th Man Band
