Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. - With the academic calendar coming to a close this week at Eastern Illinois the Panther athletic department handed out its 2010 Senior Class Awards at the end of the year BBQ held on Monday evening. This marks the third year that EIU has handed out Senior Class Awards with one new award being added this year.
This year's award winners include Senior Male Athlete of the Year Chaz Millard, Senior Female Athlete of the Year Kandace Arnold, Male Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year Jeff Rutherford, Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year Katie Imburgia, Male Senior Extend-A-Paw Winner Ousmane Cisse and Female Senior Extend-A-Paw Winner Erin O'Grady.
Millard (St. Charles, Ill.) won the Male Senior Athlete of the Year award after earning All-American honors on three occasions during his four year career as a starter on the EIU football team. Millard was a three-time first team All-OVC selection twice earning the honor at right guard and then as center on the Panther offensive line in 2010. Millard capped his senior season with third team All-American honors by the Sports Network as he helped EIU reach its third FCS playoff appearance in four seasons.
Arnold (Evergreen Park, Ill.) won the Senior Female Athlete of the Year award following a dominating career in track and field. A multiple-time All-OVC selection in both indoor and outdoor track, Arnold rewrote the Panther throws record book during her four year stay at EIU. She currently holds the school record for the indoor shot put, indoor weight throw, outdoor shot put, outdoor discus and outdoor weight throw. This year Arnold was named the OVC Athlete of the Championship at both the OVC Indoor and Outdoor Championships as she set the OVC record for the shot put this past weekend.
Rutherford (Richmond, Ky.) was named the Senior Male Scholar Athlete of the Year following his strong career on the tennis court and in the class room. Rutherford was a first team All-OVC selection for the Panther tennis team playing No. 1 singles as a junior and senior. Rutherford maintained a 3.97 GPA while majoring in management. He was an OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll selection.
Imburgia (Effingham, Ill.) was named the Senior Female Scholar Athlete of the Year following her strong career on the golf course and in the class room. Imburgia was one of the top performers for the women's golf team earning several top ten career finishes including individual medalist honors at the Loyola Chicago Tournament. Imburgia maintained a 4.00 GPA while majoring in psychology She was an OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll selection.
Cisse (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) was named the Male Senior Extend-A-Paw winner as this year the award will be given to both a male and female recipient. Cisse was a four-year starter on the Panther basketball team finishing his playing days ranking tied for first in career games played. He would also finish his career ranking fourth in career rebounds as he helped EIU finish tied for third in the OVC this season advancing to the OVC Tournament semifinals in Nashville. Cisse is an accounting major with a 3.37 GPA.
O'Grady (Arlington Heights, Ill.) was named the Female Senior Extend-A-Paw winner following a dual sport career in cross country and track. O'Grady was one of the top cross country and middle distance runners at EIU over her four year career. As a senior she earned first team All-OVC honors in cross country while earning multiple All-OVC honors in both indoor and outdoor track. O'Grady is majoring in Spanish with a 3.81 GPA.
