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NCAA announces Silver Anniversary Award winners

Six former student-athletes have been selected as recipients of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award.

The Silver Anniversary Award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their collegiate athletics careers.

The 2013 recipients are Bob Cottingham, Dylann Duncan Ceriani, Yolanda ‘Gail’ Devers, Chad Hennings, Keith Jackson and Patrick McEnroe. The NCAA will recognize the honorees Jan. 18 at the Honors Celebration during the 2013 NCAA Convention in Grapevine, Texas.

Bob Cottingham
School: Columbia University-Barnard College
Graduation year: 1988
Major: History
Sport: Fencing

Cottingham compiled a career record of 108-11 in fencing at Columbia. He was named NCAA Fencer of the Year in 1988 after leading his team to its second consecutive national championship and earning an NCAA individual title. The four-time All-American received the Connie S. Maniatty Award for his outstanding career as a Columbia student-athlete. Cottingham’s fencing career continued after college when he competed in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics. He continued to make an impact in the sport as a member of the executive committee of the United States Fencing Association. Cottingham received his juris doctorate from Rutgers University and now serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Sabre88, a global consulting firm applying capabilities in technology, public policy, international affairs, health care and education to government and commercial clients. Much of his time today is also devoted to the Peter Westbrook Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of New York City’s youth through the sport of fencing.

Dylann Duncan Ceriani
School: Brigham Young University
Graduation year: 1989
Major: Electrical and computer engineering
Sport: Volleyball

One of the most decorated female student-athletes in Brigham Young history, Ceriani rewrote school and NCAA volleyball record books during four seasons with the Cougars. She set an NCAA career record of 2,188 kills in all divisions and still holds five career records at Brigham Young. The two-time All-American led the Cougars to three consecutive third-round appearances in the NCAA tournament and a second-round appearance her senior year. Following graduation, Ceriani played for the U.S. National Team and professionally in the U.S. and Switzerland. She was inducted into the Brigham Young Hall of Fame, CoSIDA Academic All-American Hall of Fame and the Utah Hall of Fame. She is now a senior engineer for Breg, Inc., an orthopedic products company, and works to develop functional bracing. Ceriani has been issued five patents in biomechanical engineering and received a master of science in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 1996.

Yolanda ‘Gail’ Devers
School: University of California, Los Angeles
Graduation year: 1989
Major: Sociology
Sport: Outdoor track and field

A 13-time All-American and nine-time Pac-10 outdoor track and field champion, Devers won two national championship titles as a UCLA student-athlete. One year after graduating, Devers was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and underwent radioactive iodine treatment, followed by thyroid hormone replacement surgery. After a quick recovery, Devers resumed training for the 1991 World Championships and went on to earn a silver medal. She competed in a total of five Olympic Games, four of which occurred after her diagnosis. Devers earned a total of three gold medals during the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Last year, Devers was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame and still holds school records at UCLA in the 100-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles. Devers currently spends time volunteering at elementary schools by assisting in fundraising efforts and working with children.

Chad Hennings
School: U.S. Air Force Academy
Graduation year: 1988
Major: Management
Sport: Football

During his collegiate career, Hennings received the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman and was a two-time All-American for Air Force. He was named Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the decade for the 1980s after his outstanding play as a team captain. With a cumulative 3.6 GPA, Hennings found his name on the Superintendent’s List seven of eight semesters. Following his experience at Air Force, Hennings graduated from the Euro-NATO joint jet pilot and lead-in fighter training programs. He served 45 missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort in Iraq and earned three aerial achievement medals. His professional football career included nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys as a starting defensive lineman and three Super Bowl Championships. Hennings is now the President of Hennings Management Corporation and an advisory board member of Christian Community Action.  He also speaks to civic and non-profit groups on values and motivation.  

Keith Jackson
School: University of Oklahoma
Graduation year: 1987
Major: Communication
Sport: Football

A four-time letter-winner at Oklahoma, Jackson made an impact as a tight end on the Sooner football team from 1984-1987. He averaged 28.8 yards per reception as a junior and helped lead the team to a national championship as a senior. The two-time All-American was the first Sooner student-athlete to receive the NCAA Top VI Award. Jackson was a member of the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI championship team and a six-time NFL Pro Bowl selection during his nine years in the NFL. During his professional career, Jackson founded P.A.R.K. (Positive Attitudes Reach Kids) in 1993, which provides high-risk students the opportunity to further their education. In 2001, Jackson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and has received numerous alumni awards at Oklahoma including the Regents’ Alumni Award.

Patrick McEnroe
School: Stanford University
Graduation year: 1988
Major: Political science
Sport: Tennis

McEnroe compiled a career record in duals of 67-22 as a tennis student-athlete at Stanford. He was a three-time All-American, two-time NCAA champion and winner of the  United States Tennis Association’s Col. James H. Bishop Award, given to a student-athlete exemplifying high standards of character, sportsmanship, appearance and amateurism. McEnroe’s 11 years as a professional tennis player included a world-ranking of No. 3 in 1993 and 16 doubles and one singles title. He won the 1989 French Open Masters Cup doubles championships with partner Jim Grabb. McEnroe’s commitment to the USTA spans many areas. He currently works as the USTA Director of Development and has served on the USTA Board of Directors, USTA Elite Player Development program and USTA High Performance Program. He has chaired the USTA Tennis and Education Foundation and served as president of USTA Serves, the charitable and philanthropic arm of the association.