BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo baseball squad presented its team awards for the 2001 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Head coach Bill Breene made the following presentations: Eric Huber (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Rob Golemba (New City, NY/Clarkstown South) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Kevin Brown (Amherst, NY/Amherst) received the Coach's Award; and Bryan Sanchez (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) was named the team Most Valuable Player.

Eric Huber

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student- athlete who distinguishes himself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Huber, after being sidelined in the 2000 season due to a torn ACL, had a stellar 2001 season, seeing time in right field and as the Bulls' designated hitter. Huber led the Bulls with a .367 batting average, setting the school record for hits in a single-season at 69 and added a team-high 12 doubles. He set the school record for at-bats in a season with 188. Huber also added 34 RBIs and tied for second on the team with four home runs.

Rob Golemba

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student- athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in his performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Golemba was expected to play a utility role in 2001, but won the starting centerfield position during the team's spring trip to Florida. Golemba hit .278 with 22 RBIs and tied for second on the club with four homers, batting from the leadoff position for much of the second half of the season. He also saw time as the Bulls' first baseman during the season when not playing in the outfield.

Kevin Brown

The Coach's Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. Brown, a co-captain on the 2001 squad, played several positions during the season. Brown started the season as the team's second baseman, but moved to right and left field for several games during the year. He hit .219 in 47 games with 21 runs driven in, adding seven doubles.

Bryan Sanchez

The Most Valuable Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through his skills and leadership. Sanchez moved from his first baseman's position to third base for the 2001 season. The sophomore became UB's all-time home run leader with a current total of 23 in just two seasons. Sanchez eclipsed his own school single-season mark with his 12th homer of the season in the finale against Niagara on May 9. He also set the single-season RBI record with 46 and presently sits seventh on the all-time list with 79. Sanchez was second to Huber in batting average at .333, hits with 56 and doubles with 11. He also led the Bulls with 103 total bases, 34 walks, three sacrifice flies, a .613 slugging percentage and a .460 on-base percentage.

The Bulls completed their season with an 11-39 record and were 5-23 in Mid-American Conference games.