Dec. 14, 2008

The Wayne State University football team held its 2008 banquet on Sunday afternoon at The Detroit Yacht Club. Head coach Paul Winters concluded his fifth season by announcing several individual honors.

Senior safety Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) won the 2008 Defensive Most Valuable Player award as well as the Special Teams Most Valuable Player award. He was a Daktronics First Team All-Region selection at both safety and return specialist. The GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year (which includes linebackers) and First Team All-GLIAC at both positions, Dunn led all WSU defensive backs and finished 17th in the GLIAC with 82 tackles. He was fourth in the GLIAC in passes defended with 12 (3 interceptions and 9 break-ups).

Dunn finished fifth in the nation in kickoff return average (30.7). He was a three-time GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2008 and had two of the three GLIAC kickoff returns for a TD in 2008. Dunn also blocked two punts, one vs. Indianapolis which went for the game's only score to earn him D2Football.com National Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Junior running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) was named the Offensive MVP after earning Second Team All-Region accolades. He was First Team All-Region in both 2006 and 2007. Bell rushed for 1152 yards and 12 touchdowns. He finished eighth in the GLIAC in all-purpose yards per game (125.3) and sixth in scoring (7.1 points per game). Bell led the squad in rushing and receiving (20 catches). He was named First Team All-GLIAC Running Back for the third straight year. Bell became the GLIAC's all-time leading scorer, passing GVSU's David Kircus, while also becoming WSU's all-time leading rusher during the 2008 season.

Senior defensive tackle Jason Thomas (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) was honored with the Ron Solack Memorial "35" Award. Thomas played as a true freshman in 2004, and redshirted in 2005 while moving from linebacker to the defensive line. In 2008, he earned First Team All-GLIAC honors. Thomas finished tied-for-second in the league with three forced fumbles and tied-for-first with three fumble recoveries. He led all WSU defensive linemen with 49 tackles (19-30), while ranking second among Warrior defensive linemen in sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (6.5). Solack died of post-surgery complications in 1968 on the eve of the opening of the new WSU Stadium. Ron wore his WSU uniform with unmatched pride and played the game with enthusiasm. An award was instituted in his name in 1969.

Junior running back Bruno Shkreli (Livonia, Mich./Clarenceville) was presented the Randy Guzowski Award, which goes to the individual who has demonstrated team leadership and shown exemplary school and community citizenship. Guzowski won three letters as a WSU football player and spent 15 years on the WSU Police Force. Shkreli earned his third letter in 2008. A consummate team player, Shkreli played on all four special teams and saw playing time at running back.

The WSU Offensive Rookie of the Year award had co-winners for the 2008 campaign. Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Joe Long (Lapeer, Mich./East) and freshman quarterback Kevin Smith (Detroit, Mich./Central) share this year's award. Long started all 11 games at left tackle and helped the Warriors rush for nearly 1,900 yards. Smith compiled a 6-2 mark as a starting quarterback and earned the GLIAC Freshman of the Year award.

The Defensive Rookie of the Year award recipient was redshirt freshman safety Jeremy Jones (Grand Rapids, Mich./Rockford). Jones was named to the All-GLIAC honorable mention team after finishing fifth on the squad with 63 tackles, third in pass break-ups with seven and fourth in interceptions with two. Jones was in the top 10 in the GLIAC in passes defended with nine. He was also one of eight players in the GLIAC with an interception return for a touchdown (86 yards at Ferris State).

Two awards were created in 2005 by the coaching staff. The Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes the football student-athlete with strong academic credentials, while the Ultimate Warrior is for the football student-athlete who did outstanding work in the weight room.

Senior defensive end Andrew Bates (Howell, Mich./Howell/GRCC) earned the Scholar-Athlete Award. He started all 11 games at defensive end and was among the league leaders in sacks with five (four solo, two assisted) which ranked tied-for-second on the Warrior squad. Bates also forced two fumbles and had two quarterback hurries. He was also voted to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team and was a semifinalist for the 2008 Draddy Trophy which recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.

Senior Tristan Black (Toronto, Ont./Vanier Prep) received the team's Ultimate Warrior award. On the field, Black started all 11 games and earned Second Team All-GLIAC honors after receiving honorable mention all-league accolades in 2006 and 2007. He was tied-for-seventh in the GLIAC with 101 tackles, which ranked first on the Warrior squad. Black led WSU with five quarterback hurries.