On Thursday, December 8, the Augusta Sports Council presented the 2011 Ray Guy Award for College Punter of the Year to Louisiana Tech’s Ryan Allen. The award was presented during The Home Depot College Football Awards. The Bulldog sophomore beat out Auburn’s Steven Clark, and Jackson Rice of Oregon to take the honor.

The award caps a remarkable year for Allen, a junior from Salem, Ore. He helped lead his team to the 2011 WAC Championship, with a 41.95 net average and 37 punts inside the 20-yard line. He ranked #1 in the country in punts inside the 20 and had only 33% of his punts returned. Allen averaged 47 or more yards per punt in two games, including four 50+ yarders at Nevada. His 72-yard punt at Mississippi State is the fourth in school history, and this year five of his punts rank in the top 10 in school history. Louisiana Tech’s 2011 season will end on December 21 when the Bulldogs take on No. 15 TCU in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.

Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the
winner are net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC), a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta area as a destination for amateur sporting events, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2011. The ASC attracts, creates and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating a positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for residents of the greater Augusta community. To learn more, visit www.augustasportscouncil.org.

National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.ncfaa.org.

The Augusta Sports Council has announced three finalists for the 2011 Ray Guy Award. The finalists were selected by a national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches, sports information directors, national media, and former Ray Guy Award winners.  The voting body will cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.

2011 Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalists
Ryan Allen (Jr.) – Louisiana Tech
Steven Clark (So.) – Auburn
Jackson Rice (Jr.) – Oregon

The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team.  Particular emphasis was placed on the punter’s net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.

The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, December 8 at 9:00 pm ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award, and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team. Fans can visit the show’s dedicated web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.

Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the
winner are net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC), a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta area as a destination for amateur sporting events, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2011. The ASC attracts, creates and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating a positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for residents of the greater Augusta community. To learn more, visit www.augustasportscouncil.org.

National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.ncfaa.org.

The Augusta Sports Council has announced the ten semi-finalists for the 2011 Ray Guy Award. The semi-finalists were chosen from a field of 54 nominees for the award, which recognizes the most outstanding punter in college football.

The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team.  Particular emphasis was placed on the punter’s net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.  A national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches, sports information directors, national media and former Ray Guy Award winners will decide the three award finalists, who will be announced on November 21.  Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.

2011 Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalists

Ryan Allen (Jr.) – Louisiana Tech

Ian Campbell (Jr.) – UTEP

Steven Clark (So.) – Auburn

Bobby Cowan (Jr.) – Idaho

Scott Kovanda (Jr.) – Ball State

Richie Leone (So.) – Houston

Pat O’Donnell (Jr.) – Cincinnati

Jackson Rice (Jr.) – Oregon

Brian Schmiedebusch (So.) – Bowling Green

Brad Wing (Fr.) - LSU

The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, December 8 at 9:00 pm ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award, and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team. Fans can visit the show’s dedicated web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.

Ray Guy Award

The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the winner are net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

Augusta Sports Council

The Augusta Sports Council (ASC), a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta area as a destination for amateur sporting events, celebrates its 20^th anniversary in 2011. The ASC attracts, creates and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating a positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for residents of the greater Augusta community. To learn more, visit www.augustasportscouncil.org.

National College Football Awards Association

The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.ncfaa.org.

The Augusta Sports Council has announced the nominees for the 2011 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the nation’s top collegiate punter. Among the 54 candidates are 2009 winner and 2010 finalist, Drew Butler of Georgia. Candidates were nominated for the award by their school’s sports information department.

The list will be narrowed to ten semi-finalists to be announced on November 11. Following the semi-finalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives, and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be identified on November 21.  The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner.

The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, December 8 at 9:00 pm ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corson, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award, and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team. Fans can visit the show’s dedicated web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.

Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC), a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta area as a destination for amateur sporting events, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2011. The ASC attracts, creates and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating a positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for residents of the greater Augusta community. To learn more, visit www.augustasportscouncil.org.

National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.ncfaa.org.

The Augusta Sports Council announced today the preseason watch list for the 2011 Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation’s top collegiate punter. The preseason list recognizes the five returning Ray Guy Award semi-finalists from 2010. Among the notable punters is 2009 Ray Guy Award winner and 2010 Ray Guy Award Finalist, Drew Butler of Georgia.

The number of eligible candidates for this season will grow when the award opens for nominations in mid-August. The complete list of candidates will be released on October 28. In early November, the Ray Guy Award committee will meet to select the ten semi-finalists, who will be announced on November 11. A national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives, and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then vote for the top three finalists, to be announced on November 21. After the finalists are named, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation’s top punter. The winner will be announced live during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing on ESPN on Thursday, December 8.

2011 Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List
Bryan Anger (Sr.), California
Drew Butler (Sr.), Georgia
Kyle Martens (Sr.), Rice
Quinn Sharp (Jr.), Oklahoma State
Dawson Zimmerman (Sr.), Clemson

The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC), a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta area as a destination for amateur sporting events, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2011. The ASC attracts, creates and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating a positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for residents of the greater Augusta community. To learn more, visit AugustaSportsCouncil.org.

National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, ncfaa.org.

The members of the NCFAA are unveiling their preseason watch lists over a 13-day period this month. Fifteen of the association's 21 awards select a preseason watch list and this is the first time the NCFAA has spearheaded a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the complete 2011 preseason watch list calendar:

Tues., July 5: Maxwell Award/Bednarik Award
Wed., July 6: Biletnikoff Award/Mackey Award
Thurs., July 7: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
Fri., July 8: Bronko Nagurski Trophy/Outland Trophy
Mon., July 11: Jim Thorpe Award
Tues., July 12: Rotary Lombardi Award
Wed., July 13: Rimington Trophy
Thurs., July 14: Butkus Award
Fri., July 15: Davey O'Brien Award/Doak Walker Award
Mon., July 18: Walter Camp Award

The Augusta Sports Council is seeking nominees for its annual sports awards program, the Greater Augusta Medals for Excellence in Sports (G.A.M.E.S.) Awards. Since the Sports Council’s inception in 1991, G.A.M.E.S. Awards have been presented annually to the top area high school, amateur and adaptive sports athletes, coaches and officials. The awards will be presented at the Augusta Sports Awards Banquet to be held in May 2011.

All nominees must be at least of high school age and residents of Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie or Aiken Counties. A downloadable nomination form is available here. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 22, 2011.

Greater Augusta Medals for Excellence in Sports Award Categories
Adaptive Star
All-Around Male & Female Athlete
Amateur Star
Collegiate Star
Outstanding Male & Female Athlete
Rising Star (Male & Female)
Outstanding High School Team
Outstanding Coach
Outstanding Official

For more information, please contact the Augusta Sports Council at 706.722.8326 ext. 231.

The Augusta Sports Council presented the 2010 Ray Guy Award for College Punter of the Year to the University of Florida's Chas Henry. The award was presented during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Thursday, December 9. He was selected over 2009 Ray Guy Award winner, Drew Butler, of Georgia, and Ryan Donahue of Iowa. Henry was a finalist for the award last year.

Henry had a strong season, leading the nation in gross punting average, while the Gators ranked first in team net punting. The 2009 Ray Guy Award finalist punted 44 times, with 16 landing inside the 20-yard line and 13 fair catches. 15 punts have gone 50-yards or more. On Monday Henry was named to the AP All-SEC first team.

The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia-native, College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and arguably football’s greatest punter, Ray Guy. The RGA selection committee evaluates the nominees overall statistics and contribution to their team to identify the semi-finalists. Finalists and the winner are selected by the national voting body.

Henry will be honored locally during the 2011 All-Area Football Banquet on Thursday, January 27 at the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites. Also during the banquet, the Augusta Sports Council, The Augusta Chronicle and WRDW News 12 will honor the 2010 All-Area Football Teams, the CSRA High School Punter of the Year and the 2011 class of inductees for the American Football Kicking Hall of Fame. For more information, please contact the Augusta Sports Council at 706.722.8326.

Augusta Sports Council Announces Finalists for the 2010 Ray Guy Award

The Augusta Sports Council has announced the three finalists for the 2010 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the nation’s top collegiate punter.  The names include 2009 winner, Drew Butler of Georgia, Iowa’s Ryan Donahue, and 2009 finalist, Chas Henry of Florida. The finalists were selected by a national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches, sports information directors, national media, and former Ray Guy Award winners.  The voting body will cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.

2010 Ray Guy Award Finalists
Drew Butler (Jr) – Georgia (2009 Winner)
Ryan Donahue (Sr) – Iowa (2009 Semi-Finalist)
Chas Henry (Sr) – Florida (2009 Finalist)

The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.   The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.  Fans can visit the show’s dedicated Web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.   

Augusta Sports Council Announces the Semi-Finalists for the 2010 Ray Guy Award

Augusta, GA (November 12, 2010) - The Augusta Sports Council announced today the top ten semi-finalists for the 2010 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the nation’s top collegiate punter. This year 51 punters were nominated for the honor. “I personally want to say how proud I am of the semi-finalists for this year’s award” said the award’s namesake, Ray Guy. “It indicates to me the level of hard work and dedication that each one has put forth.  I wish all ten could win, but only one can be awarded the trophy."

The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on the punter’s net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line, and percentage of punts not returned. A national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches, sports information directors, national media, and former Ray Guy Award winners will decide the three award finalists, who will be named on November 22. Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.

The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.  The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.  Fans can visit the show’s dedicated Web site at ESPNCollegeFootballAwards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights. 

2010 Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalists
Bryan Anger (Jr) – California
Drew Butler (Jr) – Georgia (2009 winner)
Ryan Donahue (Sr) – Iowa (2009 Semi-finalist)
Reid Forrest (Sr) – Washington State
Chas Henry (Sr) – Florida (2009 Finalist)
Dan Hutchins (Sr) – Pittsburgh
Kyle Martens (Jr) – Rice
Anthony Santella (Sr) – Illinois
Quinn Sharp (So) – Oklahoma State
Dawson Zimmerman (Jr) – Clemson

About the Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia-native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

About the National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a proud member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of college football’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information visit the association’s official website NCFAA.org.

About the Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 1992 to market the Augusta, Georgia area as an amateur sports destination. Annually, the Sports Council attracts, supports, and creates numerous competitions and activities, at all levels of participation. Learn more about us at AugustaSportsCouncil.org.

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ESPN’s Lee Corso – one of college football’s most knowledgeable, opinionated and entertaining analysts and a part of the two-time Emmy Award winning College GameDay Built by The Home Depot from its first year in 1987 – will be the recipient of National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) 2010 Contributions to College Football Award. The award given annually by NCFAA, an association of all the major awards in college football, recognizes exceptional contributions to college football and a lifetime of achievement and integrity.

“I am humbled and honored to receive the NCFAA Contributions to College Football Award, especially following the previous recipients of the award,” said Corso. “I have enjoyed my involvement in college football – as a player, coach and analyst for the past 52 years. It has been an amazing ride.”

Corso will be the ninth recipient of the award with previous honorees including Darrell Royal, Keith Jackson, Vince Dooley, Tom Osborne, Chuck Neinas, Frank Broyles, Bobby Bowden and LaVell Edwards. The award will be presented to Corso Thursday, Dec. 9 as part of The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.

NCFAA President Danielle Moorman added, “We cannot think of a more deserving individual than Lee Corso for this award. As a player, coach and broadcaster, Lee is woven into the fabric of college football and his presence on College GameDay has helped the show become the most authoritative and comprehensive in college football.”

Corso joined ESPN in 1987 after 28 years as a coach at the college and professional levels, including 17 seasons as a head coach. While he is known for his opinions, analysis and daring predictions, Corso’s style of picking his winning team from the featured game by donning that team’s mascot head has become a fan favorite and the most anticipated moment of each show.

Corso was head coach at Louisville from 1969-72 and led the Cardinals to two Missouri Valley Conference titles and their second-ever bowl game, the 1970 Pasadena Bowl. He then moved to Indiana in 1973 where he spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Hoosiers, leading the school to their first bowl victory in 75 years, a 38-37 decision over previously unbeaten Brigham Young in the 1979 Holiday Bowl. He coached Northern Illinois in 1984 before taking over the reins of the Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1985 for one season.  He began his coaching career as an assistant coach for 11 seasons (1958-68) at Florida State, Maryland and Navy. In addition, from January-July 1991, Corso served as General Manager of the World League's Orlando Thunder. 

Corso began his television career serving as an analyst on bowl games for Mizlou (1979-82) and USFL games for ABC (1983). He debuted on ESPN in 1987 as a game analyst, calling one season of Arena Football and two seasons of college football. Corso’s seasoned presence and insightful analysis on College GameDay have helped the show earn a huge following.  The in-season Saturday morning show won a Sports Emmy in 2009 and 2007 and received nominations in 2000 and 2003. In 2006, College GameDay received the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame’s Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award.

A graduate of Florida State University, Corso earned a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and a master's degree in administration and supervision. Corso is director of business development for Dixon Ticonderoga, Heathrow, Fla., an international diversified manufacturer and marketer of writing and arts products.

About the National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a proud member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of college football’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information visit the association’s official website NCFAA.org.