Year-End Banquet Caps Memorable 2012-13 Campaign
April 17, 2013
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Seniors Carolyn Davis, Monica Engelman and Angel Goodrich each held center stage Wednesday night at the annual Kansas women’s basketball year-end banquet in the KU Union Ballroom, as the three 1,000-point scorers finished their collegiate careers as the winners of the coveted Ms. Jayhawk Award.
After a highlight video to start the event, Kansas Director of Athletics Sheahon Zenger welcomed the crowd of 300 or so and congratulated the Jayhawks on their second-straight NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run. Head coach Bonnie Henrickson then addressed the group of staff, team and supporters before handing out the team awards.
Davis and Goodrich joined sophomore Asia Boyd on the stage as members of the AD Honor Roll, while Goodrich was highlighted for her Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors. Davis and Goodrich were also recognized for their All-Big 12 efforts with Goodrich being named to the first team and Davis claiming her third-straight honor with a second-team plaudit. Goodrich was also recognized for being named to the WBCA All-America honorable team, the WBCA All-Region 5 squad and being selected in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Tulsa Shock with the 29th overall pick.
Henrickson finished the award portion of the ceremony by presenting the Ms. Jayhawk Award, the evening’s top honor. The award is bestowed each season to the player, or players, that encompass what it means to be a Jayhawk. It is a reflection of a player’s high-character, high-motor and competitive drive.
“We saw you bring the swagger back (to Kansas women’s basketball),” Henrickson said as she addressed the seniors. “We saw you change the program. We have seen you triumph. We have seen you cry; and we have seen you overcome – all three of you. We watched it with you. Shared it with you and struggled with you, but now we watch you hang diplomas on your walls. For each of you, we cannot wait for bigger, better and brighter.”
Each of the three seniors concluded the evening with a short speech commemorating their respective careers at Kansas. The trio each thanked the administration, support staff, coaches, teammates and each other.
“I just want to thank everyone who is here for supporting me for four years,” Davis said near the end of her tear-filled speech. “I love hearing the congratulations and the people who have gotten to see me grow as a player. It makes me feel good to know that I have been that player and that role model for your children. I know that if I always come back (to campus) I will always be welcomed and I feel so blessed for that.”
Engelman followed with some emotional thank yous and some advice for the returning Jayhawks.
“The last thing I want to say before I leave, I think the most important thing I have learned from being (at Kansas), and I actually learned this from my mother, is that no matter how hard life hits you, or how far it hits you, you always have to get back up,” Engelman said. “Whatever you guys are going through, stay together and remember that you always have to get back up. Don’t ever just fall down.”
Goodrich was the third and final senior to take the podium. Determined not to show too much emotion, the KU point guard let it out when thanking her family for their personal sacrifices to help her reach her goal, while also addressing her naysayers.
“I look back growing up and having to fight because I was too small,” Goodrich started. “You pushed me every day. Going to tournaments, when we didn’t even have money and just one car, you are the reason why I’m here now. It taught me that it doesn’t matter what people say; because they said a lot. Now look at me. There are some still talking, and I’m just going to continue to push.”
Davis, Engelman and Goodrich guided the Jayhawks to a 20-14 overall record and the fourth Sweet 16 appearance in school history and its first in back-to-back seasons. The squad returns seven letterwinners, including two starters, next season and has five incoming freshmen already signed.
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