University of Pittsburgh Athletics
BOSTICK AND GRUDER NAMED CONWAY AWARD WINNERS
4/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 14, 2009
PITTSBURGH—Pitt junior quarterback Pat Bostick and sophomore linebacker Max Gruder were selected the recipients of the 2009 Ed Conway Award, annually presented to the most improved offensive and defensive players of the spring.
The Ed Conway Award is named in honor of the former Pitt radio play-by-play man who passed away in 1974. It has been awarded annually the last 35 years.
Bostick (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) has lettered each of his first two seasons at Pitt. He has played in 16 career games, making nine starts, and thrown for 1,770 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Bostick has been under center for some of Pitt's biggest victories the past two years. In 2008, he helped the Panthers to a four-overtime 36-33 victory at Notre Dame. Bostick threw a 10-yard touchdown pass near the end of regulation to force OT as Pitt outlasted the Fighting Irish in the longest game in school history.
As a true freshman in 2007, Bostick helped Pitt to its monumental 13-9 upset of rival West Virginia in Morgantown. The victory is considered one of the biggest in the Panthers' storied football history.
Gruder (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Country Day School) lettered last year as a redshirt freshman, contributing on special teams and as a backup linebacker. He played in all 13 games and had five tackles.
Following his strong spring, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Gruder enters fall training camp as a favorite to earn Pitt's starting Will linebacker assignment. He has also worked at middle linebacker during his career, providing the Panthers with valuable versatility.
"No one has worked harder than those two guys the last six months,'' Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "I know how hard Pat has trained. He has lost weight, gotten stronger and has worked on his release. He really has made strides as a quarterback.
"Every time I see Max he has his notebook," Wannstedt continued. "He's constantly studying, watching film, getting better. He's worked himself into being a starter at our weakside linebacker spot.
"There were a lot of players we talked about on both sides of the ball for this award, but these two guys were very deserving."
Pitt returns 14 starters and 51 lettermen from last year's bowl team. The Panthers are already receiving advance praise as one of the country's Top 25 teams for the 2009 season. For season-ticket information, log on to PittsburghPanthers.com or call (800) 643-PITT.
Pitt's all-time Ed Conway Award recipients:
1975
Offense: John Pelusi (C)
Defense: Randy Cozens (DE)
1976
Offense: Bob Hutton (HB)
Defense: LeRoy Felder (DB)
1977
Offense: Randy Reutershan (FL)
George Link (OG)
Defense: Dave Logan (MG)
1978
Offense: Ray "Rooster" Jones (HB)
Defense: Lynn Thomas (DB)
1979
Offense: Russ Grimm (C)
Defense: Charles "Yogi" Jones (LB)
1980
Offense: Emil Boures (OG)
Defense: Carlton Williamson (SS)
1981
Offense: Wayne DiBartola (FB)
Defense: Wallace "Pappy" Tho mas (CB)
1982
Offense: Marlon McIntyre (FB)
Defense: Dan "Peep" Short (SS)
1983
Offense: Mike Dahl (OG)
Defense: Melvin Dean (CB)
Troy Benson (LB)
1984
Offense: Dwayne Milloy (FL)
Defense: Steve Apke (LB)
1985
Offense: Dave Shuck (TE)
Defense: Lee Hetrick (LB)
John Lewis (CB)
1986
Offense: Darrin Gillaspie (WR)
Defense: Jerry Olsavsky (LB)
1987
Offense: Nate Heyward (RB)
Defense: Carnel Smith (DE)
1988
Offense: Adam Walker (RB)
Defense: Louis Riddick (SS)
1989
Offense: Mike LiVorio (OL)
Defense: Dave Coleman (CB)
1990
Offense: Scott Stark (QB)
Defense: Anthony Jagers (SS)
1991
Offense: Dan Anderson (OL)
Defense: Jeff Esters (DL)
1992
Offense: Mark Fely (OL)
Defense: Mike Halapin (DL)
1993
Offense: Raymond Belvin (TE)
Defense: Tom Barndt (DL)
Jason Chavis (LB)
Jay Jones (DB)
1994
Offense: Brian Curran (OL)
Defense: Mike Mohring (DL)
1995
Offense: John Jones (TE)
Defense: David Sumner (LB)
1996
Offense: Kirk McMullen (TE)
Defense: Rasshad Whitmill (DB)
1997
Offense: Ethan Weidle (OL)
Defense: Frank Moore (DL)
1998
Offense: Matt Lytle (QB)
Defense: Nick Cole (LB)
1999
Offense: Jeff McCurley (OL)
Defense: Ryan Smith (DL)
Mark Ponko (DB)
2000
Offense: Mike Bosnic (TE)
Defense: Bryan Knight (DL)
Amir Purifoy (LB)
2001
Offense: Kris Wilson (TE)
Defense: Torrie Cox (DB)
Lewis Moore (LB)
2002
Offense: Brandon Miree (RB)
Tim Murphy (RB)
Defense: Vince Crochunis (DL)
Tez Morris (DB)
Malcolm Postell (LB)
2003
Offense: Chris Curd (WR)
Defense: Bernard "Josh" Lay (DB)
Malcolm Pinder (DL)
2004
Offense: Mike McGlynn (OL)
Tim Murphy (RB)
Defense: Charles Sallet (DL)
Clint Session (LB)
2005
Offense: Mike McGlynn (OL)
Defense: Chris McKillop (DL)
2006
Offense: C.J. Davis (OL)
Defense: Clint Session (LB)
Special Teams: Kennard Cox (DB)
2007
Offense: Jeff Otah (OL)
Defense: Gus Mustakas (DL)
2008
Offense: Dorin Dickerson (TE)
Cedric McGee (WR)
Defense: Mick Williams (DL)
2009
Offense: Pat Bostick (QB)
Defense: Max Gruder (LB)
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