Presenting the 2008-09 DREXPY Awards
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 5/22/09 Section: Sports
Hynes was, is and will be considered the best diver in Drexel history. A two-time All-American, Hynes placed ninth on the 3-meter board after winning the consolation final at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in College Station, TX. What makes that accomplishment even more special is that she finished higher than some Olympic divers in the process. A two-time All-American, Hynes was named CAA Diver the Year in each of her four years at Drexel. She was also the recipient of 23 CAA Diver of the Week awards. Hynes was always under-the-radar during her career, however, like Marginean, there's no doubt that one day we'll look back and realize just how great she was.
Coach of the Year: Denise Dillon
Anytime you lead a Drexel team to the University's first-ever CAA Championship in any sport, this one's for you. Dillon, who was named CAA Coach of the Year for the second time in her career, guided the Dragons to their most single-season wins (24), conference wins (16) and tied the mark for consecutive wins (16). Her system, a motion offense and a stifling 2-3 matchup zone defense, was a vital reason for her team's success. Another season like this and we could see Dillon ascending into the BCS coaching ranks.
Game of the Year: Drexel defeats James Madison to win CAA Championship
The Dragons went into the JMU Convocation Center and beat the Lady Dukes 64-58 to win their first-ever conference title. After overcoming some early first-half jitters, Drexel took a second-half lead of as many as 16, only to see it dwindle down to single digits late. However, the Dragons connected on 13-of-16 free throws in the final 1:36 and withstood the heroics of Dawn Evans to hold on. Once the buzzer finally sounded, the elated players began to celebrate at center court. Then they cut down the nets. Marginean had a team-high 26 points for Drexel, while Evans led JMU with 26 of her own. It was certainly a game for the ages.
Team of the Year: Women's basketball team
Even Kris from American Idol would have to tip his hat to the women's basketball team. The Dragons were chosen to finish fourth in the CAA's preseason poll. But this team was ready to prove its pessimistic prognosticators wrong. After getting off to an atrocious start, Drexel found a groove and won 16 of its last 17 games, routing 17-time defending CAA champion Old Dominion and fending off JMU en route to its first conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Even though the Dragons lost to Kansas State in the first round, their Cinderella run was unprecedented - an upset if you will. Drexel certainly got some extra attention - for athletics. Hopefully that's a trend that continues well into the future.
Coach of the Year: Denise Dillon
Anytime you lead a Drexel team to the University's first-ever CAA Championship in any sport, this one's for you. Dillon, who was named CAA Coach of the Year for the second time in her career, guided the Dragons to their most single-season wins (24), conference wins (16) and tied the mark for consecutive wins (16). Her system, a motion offense and a stifling 2-3 matchup zone defense, was a vital reason for her team's success. Another season like this and we could see Dillon ascending into the BCS coaching ranks.
Game of the Year: Drexel defeats James Madison to win CAA Championship
The Dragons went into the JMU Convocation Center and beat the Lady Dukes 64-58 to win their first-ever conference title. After overcoming some early first-half jitters, Drexel took a second-half lead of as many as 16, only to see it dwindle down to single digits late. However, the Dragons connected on 13-of-16 free throws in the final 1:36 and withstood the heroics of Dawn Evans to hold on. Once the buzzer finally sounded, the elated players began to celebrate at center court. Then they cut down the nets. Marginean had a team-high 26 points for Drexel, while Evans led JMU with 26 of her own. It was certainly a game for the ages.
Team of the Year: Women's basketball team
Even Kris from American Idol would have to tip his hat to the women's basketball team. The Dragons were chosen to finish fourth in the CAA's preseason poll. But this team was ready to prove its pessimistic prognosticators wrong. After getting off to an atrocious start, Drexel found a groove and won 16 of its last 17 games, routing 17-time defending CAA champion Old Dominion and fending off JMU en route to its first conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Even though the Dragons lost to Kansas State in the first round, their Cinderella run was unprecedented - an upset if you will. Drexel certainly got some extra attention - for athletics. Hopefully that's a trend that continues well into the future.
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