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Dawson, Flack To Receive 2007-08 Patterson Medals
Oct. 10, 2008
CHAPEL HILL -- Rachel Dawson, the 2007 field hockey National Player of the Year, and baseball's Chad Flack, who hit three of the biggest home runs in school history, are the recipients of the 2007-08 Patterson Medals, which are given to the University of North Carolina's most outstanding student-athletes. The University and the Patterson family will present the medals to Dawson and Flack at a men's basketball game in January. Dawson, a defender/midfielder from Berlin, N.J., won the Honda Award as the player of the year after leading the Tar Heels to a perfect 24-0 record and the 2007 NCAA championship. In addition to being an All-America on the field, Dawson earned first-team Academic All-America honors. She led Carolina in scoring with 19 goals, was the ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player and was twice named the league's best defensive player. "Rachel had a huge impact on every facet of our program," says five-time national champion head coach Karen Shelton. "She set the standard with her performance on the field, always pushing her teammates to be better and helping them to elevate their play. And she worked just as hard off the field, earning academic honors and graduating with distinction. "She proved last season to be one of the best players in the world," adds Shelton. "Her performance was outstanding, and at times it was absolutely dominant. Not only was she voted the best defensive player in the country's best conference, she also was the goals leader for the highest scoring team in the country. I've coached this program for 28 years and I believe Rachel Dawson is the best to ever wear a Tar Heel field hockey uniform." A two-time All-America, Dawson finished her career with 56 goals, 23 assists
and 135 points and a 3.6 grade point average. She is currently a member of
the United States National Team and competed in the Summer Olympic Games in
China.
Flack led the Tar Heels to three straight College World Series appearances and the 2007 ACC title. The Forest City, N.C., native set the College World Series record for at-bats with 73 and is third all-time with 22 hits at the CWS. He set UNC career records for base hits (328), at-bats (1,058), total bases (526) and games played (267). Additionally, he is second in runs scored and extra base hits and third in doubles, home runs and runs batted in. He became the first Tar Heel with 300 or more base hits and has 37 more hits than any other Carolina baseball player. Flack sent the Tar Heels to the 2006 College World Series with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning at Alabama in the NCAA Super Regional. A year later, he hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning in the third and deciding Super Regional game against South Carolina. He added a game-winning two-run shot against Fresno State in the 2008 World Series.
"Chad Flack is the most clutch baseball player I have ever coached or ever will coach," says UNC baseball head coach Mike Fox. "His home run at Alabama in 2006 is the most meaningful in school history. He loves Carolina and has been the driving force behind our success the last three seasons." Flack hit .379 in the 2006 College World Series as the Tar Heels advanced to the championship round against Oregon State and finished second in the nation. "Chad was a great leader and the consummate team player," says Fox. Flack, who played both first and third base, is the third baseball player in as many years to win the Patterson Medal, joining Andrew Miller in 2006 and Robert Woodard in 2007. Dawson is the second field hockey player to win the award and the first since Cindy Werley in 1998. The Patterson Medal is based primarily on career athletic accomplishment at the University of North Carolina. Sportsmanship and leadership are also considered. A committee of athletics, faculty and student representatives selects the winners, who are nominated by their respective head coaches. The award was first given in 1924 by Dr. Joseph Patterson in memory of his brother, John Durand Patterson. The Patterson family of Chapel Hill continues to present the award. Patterson Medal Winners |
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