Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/920099
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018 57 athletic programs events Congratulations to Washington junior defensive lineman Vita Vea and Oregon senior offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby on winning the 2017 Morris Trophy. The winners were announced in December and will be awarded during a luncheon in the Crystal Ballroom on Thursday, January 18. There's still time to grab a seat at the luncheon, the premier college football after-season event in the Northwest. The Morris Trophy is given annually to the best offensive lineman and the best defensive lineman in the Pac-12. Players from the opposing side of the line around the league vote on each year's winners. This is the award's 38th year. Vea, from Milpitas, California, made the 2017 All-Pac-12 first team and was an Academic All-Pac-12 honorable mention. He recorded 38 total tackles this season and three and a half Morris Trophy a Northwest sweep u Oregon's Tyrell Crosby didn't allow a sack in 2017. u Washington's Vita Vea recorded 38 tackles this past season. u Morris Trophy founder Traci Morris Drake, top photo on right, attends the luncheon each year. Past winners include Utah's Isaac Asiata, above left, and Stanford's Joshua Garnett, above right. Former Seahawk and NFL Hall of Fame member Walter Jones, pictured at right during his playing days, will be this year's keynote speaker. sacks. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound defender led the Huskies against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl on December 30. Crosby, from Henderson, Nevada, did not allow a sack this season. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman was an integral part of the Ducks' 2,905 rushing yards during the regular season. Ore- gon played Boise State on December 16 in the Las Vegas Bowl. As home of the Morris Trophy, the WAC annually hosts the luncheon awards ceremony. The Crystal Ballroom fills with a long list of local football stars, this year none bigger than key- note speaker, Seahawks legend, and NFL Hall of Fame member Walter Jones. The event starts at noon. Buy tickets ($35) through WAC Athletic Programs Manager Darin Barr at 206.464.3074 or dbarr@wac.net.