The Big 12 Sportman of the Year is a USMC Sgt.

Bill Little:

(University of Texas) Longhorns senior fullback Ahmard Hall has been named a 2005 Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year....

...

Hall is a dedicated husband and father, an unselfish and caring teammate, a proud military veteran, hard-working student and community volunteer. He set a tremendous example when, after finishing a standout high school career, he elected to join the Marines. He served four years, including tours in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and yet never relinquished his dream of playing college football.

"For me, this is all a dream come true," Hall said. "Everything that's already happened to me throughout the season and the past year would have been enough, but to be named the Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year, I couldn't be happier. It puts me at a loss for words. I just wanted to come back and finish out my career. I thought I had a chance to make the team and contribute, but to be in a position to be the starting fullback and receive an award like this and the other accolades from last season, I couldn't have dreamed it would happen this way."

After his tour in the military, the inactive reserve, who had rapidly risen to the rank of Sergeant, enrolled at Texas and joined the team as a walk-on in 2003.

"I can't think of an individual who is more appropriate for an award that recognizes sportsmanship than Ahmard," Mack Brown said. "He epitomizes everything you want in a student-athlete. Ahmard is a great leader, hard-working and determined teammate, a dedicated father and husband and a guy who proudly serves our country. He's certainly a person we are extremely honored to have in our football program and at our University."

...

UT honored Hall with the inaugural Pat Tillman Award at the 2004 football banquet. That night, his unselfish nature continued to shine. He was unable to attend the event because he was taking care of his two-year-old son, Mason, while his wife Joanna, a fellow Marine, worked overtime to earn time off to attend the Rose Bowl.


This story is about a month old, but I just found it. I look forward to watching Sgt. Hall this fall.

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