Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/112086
Morris Trophy leo santIago (2) By Wayne Milner, Vice President Athletics Above: Dana Wells, Traci Morris Drake, David Yankey, Will Sutton, WAC President & CEO Chuck Nelson, and WAC Vice President Athletics Wayne Milner (from left) at the Morris Trophy awards ceremony in the Crystal Room. Below: Mike Gastineau and Sutton. Honoring Pac-12���s big men 33rd annual Morris Trophy presented at the WAC I t might just be the most respected Pac-12 football award, and the WAC is proud to be its home. Arizona State University���s Will Sutton and Stanford���s David Yankey received the 2012 Morris Trophy award, given to the top offensive and defensive lineman in the West Coast���s toughest conference. The ceremony took place this past January in the Crystal Room. Sutton, a 6-foot-1, 290pound junior defensive tackle, led the Pac-12 in tackles for loss per game. He also ranked third in the conference and 13th nationally in sacks per game, leading a defense that averaged four sacks a game. Yankey, a 6-foot-5, 301-pound junior offensive guard, was a 13-game starter at left guard for the Cardinal, anchoring an offensive line that allowed a conference-low 17 sacks 14 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | MARCH 2013 during the regular season and helped Stanford average 174 rushing yards per game. The Morris Trophy is voted on by opposing linemen throughout the Pac-12. At the awards ceremony, Sutton and Yankey both spoke about the special nature of the award, saying it���s the ultimate sign of respect to be recognized as the best by the guys you line up against. Former sports radio deejay Mike Gastineau served as emcee for the event, and two-time Morris Trophy winner Dana Wells was the guest speaker. Wells is now president of CBS���s outdoor billboard division. Stanford offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren also spoke about the honor of winning the Morris Trophy. Traci Morris Drake, creator of the award back in 1980, was on hand to congratulate the winners.