Oct. 18, 2005
St. Louis, Mo. -
University of Missouri quarterback Brad Smith has been named the 2005 recipient of the Carl O. Bauer Award presented by the Missouri Athletic Club. The prestigious award, which was established in 1978, recognizes the top amateur sports figure. Smith is the third Tiger football player to claim the award, joining the ranks of MU greats Kellen Winslow (1978) and Phil Bradley (1980).
Smith, a senior from Youngstown, Ohio, is one of college football's most exciting players. He has already set MU career records for total offense, passing TDs, passing yards and rushing yards. The electrifying quarterback has established himself as one of the most prolific players in NCAA history. Smith is the NCAA's active leader in total offense. He ranks second in the NCAA active career leaders in TDs responsible for, trailing only 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart of USC. Smith is just the fifth player in NCAA D-1 history to have at least 3,000 yards passing and rushing.
Smith will be honored at the Jack Buck Sports Awards on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis (405 Washington Ave.). He will be among the distinguished sports figures to be honored at the annual banquet. Joe Buck from Fox Sports will serve as the master of ceremonies, and the banquet will be broadcast live on KMOX Radio at 8 p.m.
Jack Buck established the event in 1970 with the creation of the Sports Personality of the Year Award. Over the years, some of the biggest names in sports have been honored at the banquet, including Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Jimmy Connors, Marshall Faulk and Albert Pujols. University of Missouri recipients of the Sports Personality of the Year award include Al Onofrio (1972), Warren Powers (1978) and Norm Stewart (1992).
In 1978, the Carl O. Bauer Award was added to the program and Winslow claimed the inaugural award. Named after the late M.A.C. Athletic Director Carl Bauer for his contributions to amateur athletics during his 45 years of service at the Club, the award has honored players and coaches from a variety of sports, including Olympic great Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
For reservations to the Jack Buck Sports Awards, call the Missouri Athletic Club at 314-539-4470. The price is $125 and includes dinner, garage parking, gratuity and admission to the awards program.
