University of Pittsburgh Athletics
BYHAM NAMED TO JOHN MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST
7/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 29, 2009
PITTSBURGH--Pitt's All-Big East tight end Nate Byham has been named to the watch list for the 2009 John Mackey Award, annually presented to the nation's top tight end by the Nassau County Sports Commission.
Thirty players were named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, named after the Pro Football Hall-of-Famer who starred for the Baltimore Colts. The 2009 Mackey Award recipient will be announced on December 10.
Former Pitt tight end Kris Wilson, now a member of the San Diego Chargers, was a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2003.
This is the second national award watch list to recognize Byham (Franklin, Pa./Franklin), who previously was named a preseason candidate for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award. Byham was one of only two tight ends on the Rotary Lombardi list.
Byham was a 2008 first-team All-Big East selection, an unprecedented achievement for a Pitt tight end. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder had 20 catches for 260 yards (13.0 avg.) and one touchdown last year. He was also a major asset in the run game, helping Pitt produce a 1,000-yard rusher for the second consecutive year.
Pitt will open fall training camp on Tuesday, August 11, at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex. The Panthers kick off the 2009 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Youngstown State at Heinz Field.
Season-ticket packages are currently on sale for as low as $82 and can be purchased online (PittsburghPanthers.com), by phone (800/643-PITT) or in person at the Petersen Events Center ticket office.
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