The Louisville Sports Commission’s Paul Hornung Award winner for 2012 has been announced after narrowing a field of many down to four and finally one- West Virginia’s Tavon Austin was announced this year’s recipient last Thursday officially.
An award based on versatility, all previous winners of the honor are currently in the NFL, so if that’s any indication Austin should be in good company.
A banquet is set to commence February 15 at the Galt Hour, in honor of Austin, Hornung, and the Award.
Upon receiving the news of the honor Austin commented to the Louisville Sports Commission, “I am honored and humbled to be selected as the winner…whether I am on the field as a receiver, in the backfield, or as a returner I have high expectations for myself.” One could see this on the state sheet, as Austin chalked up 2,910 yards this season.
The honor is decided by a committee of football analysts, athletes, and an online vote which was also cast for Austin.
In many ways, Hornung himself summed up the feeling of many of the voters when he discussed the selection to the Louisville Sports Commission, “(Austin is) tough, he generates yardage almost every way possible, and has a nose for the end zone…we look forward to having him with us at our banquet…”
Austin beat out the other final four nominees of Antonio Andrews (Western Kentucky), Dri Archer (Kent State), and Marqise Lee (Southern California) to reach this honor.
Ironically all four of the nominees’ teams lost their bowl games, however Austin’s tenacity was hard to ignore, and one has to consider that when Paul Hornung won the Heisman in 1956 with Notre Dame, his team didn’t have a winning record.
Speaking of the Heisman, Austin actually was eight in the Heisman hunt according to NCAA officials; making it clear that Austin’s versatility hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Image and outside information courtesy of The Paul Hornung Award
