(Posted May 11, 2006)

Huntingdon, PA - The Juniata College men\'s basketball team has been selected as the recipient of the 2006 Schoenfeld Sportsmanship Award as selected by the Collegiate Basketball Officials Organization (CBOA). The Harrisburg chapter of the CBOA presents the yearly award to a team that they have covered during the course of the year. It marks the first time the Juniata men\'s basketball program has been selected to receive the honor. The award is presented in honor of Sam Schoenfeld, a former college basketball player, and a founding member of the CBOA. After a brief illness took Sam\'s life in early 1956, the CBOA decided to memorialize him through this award. The award is presented to the college or university which, in the judgment of the CBOA membership, best exemplifies \"the highest degree of sportsmanship, character and ethics among their players, coaches and spectators.\" The selection committee lauded the hard work and professionalism of Juniata Head Coach Greg Curley as a primary factor in awarding Juniata with this honor. The committee also noted the consistent effort and sportsmanship displayed by the Juniata players throughout the season as a major consideration. The voters were also pleased with the treatment that officials get from Juniata when they come to Huntingdon. \"While there are specific areas the officials look at in determining which team receives this honor, the award really reflects well on the entire Juniata men\'s basketball program and college as a whole,\" said CBOA representative Jim Bruno. \"It\'s a statement about the kind of job Coach Curley has done with the Juniata program in the view of the officials who work the games.\" Juniata had a record of 10-15 in the 2005-06 season, which marked the fifth time in the last six seasons that the Eagles have earned at least 10 victories. Four of Juniata\'s 14 conference games this past season were decided in overtime, including a pair of double-overtime contests. Coach Curley has amassed a 55-69 record over his five seasons as the Juniata head coach. His tenure includes back-to-back 13-12 seasons in 2002-03 and 2003-04, which marked the first consecutive winning seasons for the men\'s basketball program since the late \'80s. Juniata will bring back 16 players from its 2005-06 roster when the team hits the court next season, including three starters. ###

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.