In an era when college athletes are often in the headlines for the wrong reasons, University of Cincinnati junior Kevin Ward was honored for doing the right things.
A 6-foot-2, 282-pound starting defensive tackle for the football team, Ward was presented the Idaho Sports Medicine Institute's Humanitarian Award during Hall of Fame ceremonies Sunday in Boise, Idaho.
When the announcement was made, Ward was caught off guard and nearly speechless.
Hesitating for several seconds, Ward slowly walked toward the stage while his teammates and coaches stood and cheered.
As part of the Humanitarian Bowl festivities, one UC player and another from opposing Utah State, were selected by their teammates and coaches to be honored for accomplishments on and off the field.
Since enrolling at UC in 1994 after spending one year at Fort Union (Va.) Military Institute, Ward has been one of UC's most active athletes in campus and community affairs. Following are some of his endeavors:
- Chairman of the speakers bureau of C-PAWS, a student-athlete organization that works on outreach programs.
- President of junior deacons at Clifton First Baptist Church.
- A worker at Talbert House, assisting in the alcohol rehabilitation program.
- An honor student, making the dean's list several times.
- UC's representative at the 1997 NCAA Leadership Conference held in Orlando, Fla.
''This award has a very special place in my heart,'' Ward said Wednesday. ''Being recognized for something that I was brought up to believe in makes it even more special.''
Kevin's mother, Michelle Ward, said, ''Kevin always believed in education and never missed a day of class in grade or high school. He's always said he will be either an attorney or a preacher.
''I'm a single parent and we've struggled,'' she said. ''Kevin's seen both the good and bad sides of society and life. The year he spent in military school helped him a lot.''
After graduation from Chantilly High School where he earned first team all-state honors in football, Ward signed to attend Fort Union Military Academy. He enrolled at UC the next year.
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