PHILADELPHIA -- Temple head football coach Al Golden today announced the team's 2006 spring award winners. Junior fullback Mike Neal received the annual Mark Bresani Award for Spirit and Enthusiasm, sophomore Bruce Francis earned the Gavin White Jr. Walk-On Award, senior running back Tim Brown was cited as the team's most improved offensive player and sophomore Georg Coleman was honored as the Owls' most improved defensive player.
Neal, a native of Somerville, Mass., played in three games last season before being sidelined by injury. After working hard in the off-season to regain his form, he entered spring practice atop the depth chart at fullback. Unfortunately, he was sidelined early in spring drills by injury once again. Despite the adversity, Neal maintained a positive attitude and constructive outlook to become an inspiration to both his teammates and coaches. The Bresani Award is named for the son of Mark Bresani, a four-year letterwinner at center for the Owls and captain of Wayne Hardin's 1976 squad. Bresani's son Mark, then a senior football player at St. Joseph's (Hammonton) HS and spirited Temple football fan, was tragically killed on Halloween night 2003 in an auto accident.
Francis played in the final five games of the 2005 season as a true freshman, making 14 catches for 133 yards. The Sicklerville, N.J. native had a very productive spring and earned the award named for Gavin White, Jr. a former walk-on who later became Director of Athletics at Temple. White came to Temple after spending time in the Air Force and became the team's starting halfback and then quarterback, playing from 1949-51. In 1952, he received the University's award for combining athletic and academic achievement. White was inducted into the Temple Athletic Hall of Fame 1980. He was named Temple's Director of Athletics in October 1982, following 19 years as associate and assistant AD. His son is in his 27th seasons as head men's crew coach at Temple.
Brown returned to the gridiron this spring with a vengeance after sitting out the 2005 season to concentrate on academics. As a first-year junior in 2004, the Stockton, Calif. native made 10 starts and rushed for 432 yards and a score, while making 33 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown.
Coleman excelled at the cornerback position this spring after playing running back as a true freshman in 2005. Last season, the Levittown, Pa. native played in eight games and made one start while also serving as a kick returner. Coleman was one of nine scholarship players to undergo a position change this spring.
Temple concluded its spring season this past Saturday (April 22) with the annual Cherry & White intra-squad game.
