June 22, 2010

CHICAGO -- Katrina Dowd, Mike Kafka and John Shurna highlight a strong list of Northwestern nominees for the third annual Big Ten Network Awards show, which airs live at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday, June 23. The awards recognize the best of Big Ten sports for the 2009-10 school year in ten different categories. Mike Hall and Rick Pizzo will host the one-hour show.

Dowd, the American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Year, is Northwestern's nominee for the prestigious Suzy Favor Award, given annually to the Big Ten Conference's best female student-athlete. A senior attacker, Dowd led the 'Cats with 77 goals and 33 assists on the season and set the NCAA Tournament career scoring record while leading NU to its sixth consecutive title game.

Kafka is nominated for the Jesse Owens Award, given to the Big Ten's best male student-athlete. The Chicago native led the Big Ten is passing yardage, total offense, completions, completion percentage and fewest interceptions thrown while guiding the Wildcats to an 8-5 record and the 2010 Outback Bowl. Kafka's school-record 532 passing yards in the New Year's Day game also earned him a nomination for the Most Dominating Performance Award. The Outback Bowl is up for Game of the Year honors as well.

Sophomore guard John Shurna is nominated for Breakout Performer of the Year after helping Northwestern men's basketball earn back-to-back postseason appearances. Lacrosse coach Kelly Amonte-Hiller is nominated for Women's Coach of the Year, while her team is up for the Women's Team of the Year award.

The Big Ten Network Awards show will have interviews with selected award winners, including both coaches and players.

The other award categories and nominees are as follows:

BREAKOUT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Kelci Bryant - Minnesota Sophomore Diver
Adrian Clayborn - Iowa Defensive End
Draymond Green - Michigan State Sophomore Forward
Jamie Printy - Iowa Freshman Guard
John Shurna - Northwestern Sophomore Guard
Evan Turner - Ohio State Junior Forward

MOST DOMINATING PERFORMANCE
Angela Bizzarri at Big Ten Championships - Illinois Senior Cross Country
David Boudia at Big Ten Tournament - Purdue Sophomore Diver
Kate Fesenko at Big Ten Championships - Indiana Senior Swimmer
Robbie Hummel in the first half vs. Ohio State - Purdue Junior Forward
Mike Kafka in the Outback Bowl - Northwestern Senior Quarterback
Ryan Kerrigan vs. Ohio State - Purdue Junior Defensive Lineman

BEST FINISH
Iowa vs. Michigan State - Football
Michigan vs. Michigan State Football
Michigan vs. Ohio State - Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
Michigan State vs. Michigan - Men's Basketball
Michigan State vs. Minnesota - Men's Basketball
Michigan State vs. Maryland - NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

MEN'S TEAM OF THE YEAR
Iowa Football
Iowa Wrestling
Michigan Gymnastics
Michigan State Basketball
Ohio State Basketball
Ohio State Football

WOMEN'S TEAM OF THE YEAR
Michigan Gymnastics
Michigan Softball
Northwestern Lacrosse
Ohio State Basketball
Penn State Volleyball
Purdue Golf

GAME OF THE YEAR
Illinois vs. Ohio State (Big Ten Tournament) - Men's Basketball
Ohio State vs. Purdue - Men's Basketball
Iowa vs. Indiana - Football
Iowa vs. Ohio State - Football
Northwestern vs. Auburn (Outback Bowl) - Football
Penn State vs. Texas (NCAA Championship) - Women's Volleyball

MEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR
Kirk Ferentz - Iowa football
Tom Izzo - Michigan State basketball
Thad Matta - Ohio State basketball
Justin Spring - Illinois gymnastics
Jim Tressel - Ohio State football

WOMEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR
Kelly Amonte-Hiller - Northwestern lacrosse
Lisa Bluder - Iowa basketball
Jim Foster - Ohio State basketball
Carol Hutchins - Michigan softball
Russ Rose - Penn State volleyball
Rolf van de Kerkhof - Michigan State field hockey