Black Death Award Explained

The Black Death Award is an individual honor awarded to college football players at the United States Military Academy (better known as 'West Point') who distinguish themselves during a game. It is presented to players only in the case of "exceptional, near perfect play."[1]

The award was first instituted by Army coach Jim Young in 1988. In 2007, Stan Brock, as the new head coach, reinstated the award.[1] The award itself consists of a plaque featuring an Army Ranger-style knife and engraved with the honoree's name.[2] According to Brock, it is given to players who go "above and beyond" and play "a near perfect game and have something to do with the outcome of the game for a victory."[3]

Recent honorees

Year Player Position Achievement
2007 LTC Greg Gadson LB
2007 Mike Wright WR vs. Tulane (20–17)
2008 Frank Scappaticci LB vs. Louisiana Tech (14–7)
2008 RB vs. Tulane (44–17)

Sources: [1] [4]

Notes and References

  1. https://admin.xosn.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11100&ATCLID=1598000 Collin Mooney honored with coveted Black Death Award
  2. https://admin.xosn.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11100&ATCLID=1609798 A Strong Rush
  3. http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11100&ATCLID=1598614 Stan Brock Press Conference
  4. http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11100&ATCLID=1612709 Scappaticci Earns Prized Black Death Award