Lehigh University Athletics
Team gathers for season ending banquet
9/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Bethlehem, PA – The Lehigh men’s basketball team officially concluded its 2002-03 season Sunday evening with the Charles F. ’38 and Helen Marie Zell Men’s Basketball Banquet. The banquet not only served as the final chapter of the 2002-03 season, it represented the first chapter in the 2003-04 season.
During the evening’s festivities, numerous speeches were given and memories were shared. Patriot League Coach of the Year Billy Taylor announced the team captains for next season: seniors Austen Rowland and Ra Tiah. Taylor also handed out four awards, the MVP award, the Coaches Award, the Scholar-Athlete Award, and the Sixth Man Award.
Earning this year’s team MVP honors was Zlatko Savovic. "Zo" went from a seldom-used guard in 2001-02 to a first-team all league player in 2002-03. He led the team in assists and minutes played, while ranking among the top ten in the Patriot League in numerous other categories.
The Coaches Award is annually handed out to the individual who made significant contributions to the well being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement, or special leadership. This year’s Coaches Award was given to Mike Cowgill. Cowgill was a scrappy forward, starting every game this season, and more than doubling his career totals in every statistical category.
Every student-athlete at Lehigh is gifted, however, Kevin Tempest stood out on this year’s basketball team. Tempest posted a 3.90 GPA during his first year at Lehigh to earn to Scholar-Athlete Award.
The final award of the evening was given to Glenn Hofmann, Lehigh’s Associate Athletic Director. Hofmann earned the Sixth Man Award for the second time during his tenure at Lehigh. He was a key figure in Lehigh basketball this season, chairing the search committee that hired Taylor, along with many other facets of the program, including game day operations, and off the court support.
Lehigh says goodbye to four seniors at the end of this semester. Coach’s Taylor’s first senior class will include a potential hall of fame candidate in Matt Logie, league record holders Zlatko Savovic and Matt Crawford, along with Mike Cowgill. The Mountain Hawks will, however, return 11 players next season, and should again be a contender in the Patriot League.
For more information, contact
Mike Garland, Media Relations Assistant.
