June 28, 2005
DALLAS - Richelle Simpson (Nebraska) and Ahmard Hall (Texas) were named the 2005 Big 12 Sportspersons of the Year, the conference announced. Simpson completed her eligibility in the Husker gymnastics program this season, while Hall enters his final year as the starting fullback for the Longhorn football team.
The Big 12 annually recognizes its top male and female sportsperson. The Sportspersons of the Year Award was started prior to the 2000-01 academic year to recognize student-athletes who displayed an extraordinary degree of sportsmanship and/or community service from within the conference. Simpson and Hall were selected by a media panel.
A nine-time NCAA All-American, Simpson excelled in gymnastics and in the classroom while maintaining an active role in the community throughout her career. She earned the national all-around and floor exercise titles as a junior in 2003. Shortly after Simpson established herself as one of the country's top gymnast, she suffered an off-season knee injury and missed the `04 season. During Simpson's medical redshirt year she resumed her role as team leader by mentoring and motivating her teammates from the sideline. The Toronto, Ontario, native returned in 2005 and led her team to the Big 12 Championship and a NCAA Championship bid. Simpson also was named the South Central Region Co-Gymnast of the Year for her performance during the regular season, including her second conference all-around title. At the Regional final Simpson injured her knee again, ultimately ending her collegiate career. She had already claimed the balance beam title before her injury, which contributed to the Huskers' runner-up finish and NCAA Championship berth.
In May, Simpson graduated with a 3.822 grade point average and degrees in International Studies and French. She recently was awarded NCAA and Dr. Prentice Gautt Big 12 Postgraduate scholarships while earning second team Academic All-America honors for her work in the classroom. Simpson tallied two academic All-Big 12 honors and three NACGC Scholastic All-America awards. In addition she was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll every semester.
As a community activist, Simpson volunteered at local elementary schools and with the Special Olympics. She was a member of the NU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years and the multicultural representative for SAAC this past year. Simpson's passion for service influenced her teammates as the Husker squad ranked in the top three among 23 NU intercollegiate teams for combined community service and life skills education the last two years.
Simpson was presented the AAI American Award at the NCAA Gymnastics Championship brunch in April. She becomes the first Husker to receive the accolade, which is annually given to the nation's top gymnast on the basis of athleticism, academic excellence and civic responsibility. Nebraska recently named Simpson its Female Student Athlete of the Year.
Hall's journey to college took a few detours before he settled into a Longhorn jersey. A military veteran, he served four years in the Marines after a standout prep career, including tours in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Upon completion of his duties in 2003, the inactive reserve enrolled at Texas and walked-on to the football team. He spent one season on the scout team and quickly became one of the Longhorns' special teams stars and the backup at fullback in `04. Hall played in every game last season for Texas (11-1) while recording 10 special teams tackles, second-best on the squad.
His teammates not only rely on him for his physical ability, but also his leadership and sportsmanship. Hall is known for treating opponents with dignity and respect. On the anniversary of Sept. 11 last year, the coaches and team selected the Marine Sergeant to carry the American flag onto the field before the Texas-Arkansas game. The Angleton, Texas, native was also one of the two players chosen to attend the Texas State Capitol when the Longhorns Rose Bowl Championship team was honored with a resolution.
Off the field, Hall balances the responsibilities of being a husband, father and student-athlete along with his work in the community. He assists military veterans in Austin and is apart of the Longhorn community service program. Last fall, Hall organized a care package drive for local veterans in the area and soldiers overseas in combat.
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 so that she could earn time off to attend the Rose Bowl.
Hall is finishing his college degree on the G.I. bill and has two years of active duty awaiting him when he finishes his studies.
As the Big 12 Sportspersons of the Year, Simpson and Hall are eligible for the 2005 NCAA Sportsmanship award.
The conference will recognize the pair on Dec. 3 during the first half of the 2005 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
BIG 12 SPORTSPERSONS OF THE YEAR
Female
2001 Kim Woodlee, Kansas State; basketball
2002 Natalie Ritchie, Texas Tech; basketball
2003 Laura Pilakowski, Nebraska; volleyball
2004 Jessika Stratton, Baylor; basketball
2005 Richelle Simpson, Nebraska; gymnastics
Male
2001 Dan Alexander, Nebraska; football
2002 Cael Sanderson, Iowa State; wrestling
2003 Jeff Leise, Nebraska; baseball
2004 Mark Clayton and Lynn McGruder, Oklahoma; football
2005 Ahmard Hall, Texas; football