Catholic University Announces 2006 Football Award Winners
Sobke and Simmons honored at halftime on Saturday

10/29/07

WASHINGTON - The Catholic University of America athletic department announced that Jay Sobke and Reuben Simmons were the recipients of the 2006 football awards at halftime of Saturday's game.  2007 graduates were both be honored at halftime of the Cardinals' home game tomorrow against Emory and Henry.  The Anthony J. Bottoni Leadership Award and the Ronnie McManes Award are annual awards given out to two of the top players on and off of the field from the past season.

Sobke, a native of Wycombe, Pa., is the recipient of the Anthony J. Bottoni Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership as a senior, both on the field and in the locker room.  Sobke was a four-year letter winner on the offensive line.  He graduated in May with a degree in politics, and is currently enrolled in officer training for the United States Navy.

The Bottoni Award is named in honor of Anthony J. Bottoni, a two-year (1998-99) starting right guard for the Cardinals who was killed in an automobile collision on Dec. 28, 1999. One month prior to the accident, Bottoni helped CUA win its first league football championship with a 6-0 record in the ODAC. He played on three consecutive NCAA playoff teams that compiled a 29-4 record from 1997-1999.

Simmons, of Beacon, N.Y., overcame three injury-plagued seasons to become one of CUA's top running backs in 2006. He rushed for a career-high 125 yards and scored a touchdown in the Cardinals' 34-33 overtime victory against Ohio Wesleyan University. In CUA's season-ending loss to Bridgewater College, the 5-foot-9, 185-pounder rushed for 79 yards and two TDs and caught three passes for eight yards.

Simmons joined the Cardinals after earning an associate's degree in criminal justice from Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. A right hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines for the entire 2004 season. The following year he was limited to special teams after first injuring his groin, and made five tackles in four games. Simmons graduated in May with a B.A. in sociology.

The McManes Award is named in honor of former Cardinals Coach Ronnie McManes who helped rejuvenate CUA football in 1965 by becoming the school's first head football coach after a 15-year hiatus. The team assembled as a club sport that year and scrimmaged Georgetown University before hosting St. Peter's University for homecoming.  The annual awards were started under former head coach Tom Clark and reinstated upon his return to CUA for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.  New Head Coach Dave Dunn has continued the tradition for the Cards.