ATLANTA, GA (01/24/2008) – Williams senior ice hockey
forward William Bruce (Nashville, TN/Montgomery Bell Academy) was
named the winner of the 2008 Coach Wooden Cup at an awards banquet
hosted by Athletes for a Better World tonight at the Ansley Golf
Club in Atlanta.
The Wooden Cup is presented to the most outstanding role model
among collegiate and professional athletes. Bruce is the fourth
collegiate winner of the award and tennis star Andrea Jaeger won
the professional athlete award.
The Wooden Cup is given to a collegiate and a professional athlete
who has made the greatest difference in the lives of others.
With Peyton Manning, John Smoltz and John Lynch as previous
recipients, the Wooden Cup is becoming one of the most prestigious
awards in sports. Recipients are considered role models and
athletes of excellence both on and off the field.
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| Andrea Jaeger and Will Bruce photo by Duane Stork |
Founded by Athletes for a Better World (ABW), a non-profit
organization committed to changing the culture of American sports,
the Wooden Cup is unique in that it is open to athletes in all
collegiate and professional sports. Nominations come from every
conference in the NCAA.
"This was a tremendous night for Williams College and Williams
hockey," noted an excited Eph head hockey coach Bill Kangas. "The
five finalists were all very impressive young men and women.
Athletes for a Better World hosted a first class event and it was
great to see one of our athletes being recognized as the collegiate
role model for 2008. I could not be happier for Will or prouder of
him."
"Great leaders often have great humility," noted coach Kangas.
"The awards committee realized how strong a leader Will is and how
effective he is at fostering teamwork in the rink and in the
community."
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After graduation Will Bruce will |
Upon accepting the award Bruce was quick to thank his school,
his coach, his parents and all of the Williams students he has
worked with. "Williams College gave me a wonderful opportunity to
play hockey and get involved in all aspects campus life and many
community service projects; coach Kangas always encourages the team
to take the lessons of teamwork outside the walls of the locker
room and the rink to the community and my parents showed me by
example what love, humility, honesty and kindness can do to change
people's lives," said Bruce. "The student-athletes at Williams are
special people who really become engaged in the community and I'm
most thankful to have been involved with them."
Commenting afterwards on the night Bruce noted, "a great sense of
humility at being around so many young people who are doing so much
to make communities better – it was inspiring."
A four-year letterman for the Ephs, Bruce has played in 86 games,
netting 12 goals and assisting on 16 for 26 points. A double major
-- economics and history -- Bruce has been named to the Dean's List
every semester at Williams. After graduation he will be attending
Oxford University on a Martin-Wilson Fellowship for two years to
study comparative social policy.
Bruce is co-president of the Lehman Service Council for community
engagement and student chair of the Honor and Discipline Committee.
He is the son of Lois and Bill Bruce of Nashville, Tenn.
Read Wooden Cup nomination packet submitted for Will Bruce.
Will Bruce was also recently profiled in:
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From left to right: head coach Bill Kangas, Bill
Bruce, |
