Southeast Missouri State football team holds awards banquet

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz spoke to a crowd of his players, their parents, other members of the athletic department and supporters at the inaugural Football Awards luncheon Sunday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center-North.

After 14 player-voted awards were presented, Matukewicz addressed the crowd with a "State of the Program" presentation that provided a recap of the 2014 season as well as how it needs to continue to be improved.

While he spoke to everyone in attendance, he directed his message to the 20 seniors who finished their careers this season and were seated across the front of the stage.

"When I got here, we talked about having a process-driven program. We do have that now," Matukewicz said. "I really believe you guys have bought into this and understand, 'Don't focus on the W's, focus on how you get the W's.' Don't focus on money when you get your next job because that isn't going to help you make none. You hear me? It's about the choices you make on an everyday basis that will help you be successful. ... These foundations, I hope when you leave here you'll remember these. I've waited 21 years to stand in front of you today and to be your head football coach. I've asked myself every year, 'What's it take to be successful?' And these are, in my opinion, what it takes: attitude, effort, discipline and passion."

He gave examples of the program's four cornerstones -- attitude, effort, discipline and passion -- from the season throughout his presentation, which included calling up sophomore kicker Ryan McCrum's parents, Duane and Terry McCrum, to the stage.

McCrum, who couldn't attend the banquet because he was sick, set a school record for most field goals in a season with 18, made four field goals more than 50 yards and made 40 PATs before missing his final one of the season.

"Then we talked about growth. This is all about attitude and effort, right? How do you grow?" Matukewicz said. "You talk about Ryan McCrum, hell, he couldn't even make a PAT [when I got here]. He was on the heap pile of life. He pays us to play. We brought in 20,000 people to try and beat him out. Not because we didn't love him, but because we know that competition brings out the best in all of us. What'd this guy do? He came out every day and had an unbelievable attitude, worked on what he needed to do to get better, and he grew. Now he's a first-team all-conference player."

Matukewicz then presented McCrum's parents with a brick -- to go along with the program's "brick by brick" motto.

Matukewicz said that the front of the brick had McCrum's statistics from the season before asking them to flip it over and read the other side.

McCrum's dad said the words, "Congratulations on being awarded a full scholarship," before the audience drowned him out with applause.

McCrum also received the Mike Wood Award for the team's top specialist.

Senior linebacker Matt Starks was presented the Cornerstone Award, which was for the player that best embodied the program's four cornerstones.

"When I got the votes this is one of the first ones I wanted to see, and the team hit it on the head," Matukewicz said. "... This year's recipient, just to tell you a little story about this guy, he's getting married. He asked his girlfriend Ashley to marry him on his high school football field in a 'Brick by brick' T-shirt. That's fully committed. That's all in."

Redshirt freshman linebacker Rider Garrett was named the defensive work team MVP and freshman receiver Richie Eisenhart was the offensive work team MVP.

The Top Linebacker award was given to sophomore Roper Garrett while the Ken Hargens Award for the top defensive back went to senior cornerback Tim Hamm-Bey.

Junior defensive lineman Travis Sanders received the Kenneth Knox top defensive lineman award and senior offensive lineman Corey Porter received the Wayne Goddard top offensive lineman award.

Junior running back DeMichael Jackson was named the top offensive back and junior Peter Lloyd was presented with the Willie Ponder Award for the top wide receiver by undergraduate assistant coach Willie Ponder.

The Vogelsang Defensive MVP was awarded to senior linebacker Wisler Ymonice and the Vogelsang Offensive MVP recipient was junior receiver Paul McRoberts.

Former Southeast player Dutch Meyr presented the Dutch Meyr Toughest Redhawk Award.

"They asked me to give this toughest -- I keep wanting to say lineman award because I always thought the linemen were the toughest," Meyr said. "But this year it goes to a guy that I watched at all the home games, and he's tough as nails, and that's Kyle Snyder."

Senior quarterback Kyle Snyder also was named the Team MVP after a senior season where he broke the school's single-season record for total offense with 3,243 yards.

"This is a guy that I take a lot of pleasure every time I think about, I just get a big smile on my face," Matukewicz said before announcing Snyder. "I know you have a chance when your seniors go out playing their best football, and this guy right here set a single-season record and he's only started for one year. I am so proud of not only the player he is, but more importantly the individual he is and what he stands for. He's one of the toughest players I've ever coached."

At the beginning of the luncheon Matukewicz noted it would likely be the last time the entire 2014 team would be together.

"I want you to never forget about what a team can do when you forget about me and all about you and you buy into a common goal, what you can do against the No. 3 team in the country and No. 20 in the country," Matukewicz said to the seniors. "I want you to never forget that you've had more success in 110 years of football -- the first time ever beating two top-ranked teams in one season, the highest ranked opponent ever. And just never forget the foundation.

"Unfortunately for this class right here we're not passing out conference championship rings, but I promise you this: you left this program better than you found it, and that's what matters. You're ground zero, and we're going to build this thing on your work and what you've done for not only me, but for our staff and this team and also the university. You're always welcome back here, and I hope you'll come back. The best is yet to come."