Football Writers Association of America Sept. 27, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Steve Richardson
972-713-6198
Junior cornerback was born without ear drums
OKLAHOMA STATE'S VAN ZANT NOMINATED
FOR FEDEX ORANGE BOWL COURAGE AWARD

DALLAS (FWAA) – Oklahoma State cornerback Martel Van Zant (Tyler, Texas) is this week's nominee for the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award to be announced at the end of the 2006 season.

Van Zant

Van Zant, a junior cornerback, was born deaf, without ear drums, after his mother suffered from chicken pox while pregnant. A strong student who is majoring in management, Van Zant works with an interpreter who accompanies him to classes, team meetings, practices and games.

A starter, Van Zant collected his first career interception in the Cowboys' win over Arkansas State on Sept. 9, returning it 22 yards. Through four games this season, he has 11 tackles.

For the first time, the FWAA and the FedEx Orange Bowl will announce a weekly nominee each Wednesday during the season. A blue-ribbon panel will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner of the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award will be announced in December and be presented with the trophy.

FedEx Orange Bowl Courage AwardThe Courage Award was created by ESPN The Magazine's senior writer Gene Wojciechowski, also a FWAA member. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage, on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.

Previous winners of the FWAA's Courage Award are the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).

The Orange Bowl Committee is a not-for-profit, 329-member, all-volunteer organization that exists as a self-sustaining, independent organization supporting and producing activities and events which enhance the image, economy, and culture of South Florida . Among the OBC core events are the Orange Bowl Festival, FedEx Orange Bowl and World-Class Halftime Show, the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, the WaMu Orange Bowl Fan Fest presented by the City of Miami, the Budweiser Orange Bowl Tailgate Party, Boston Market Orange Bowl Youth Football Championships, Orange Bowl Cheer & Dance Championships, Orange Bowl Swim Classic, Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships and Orange Bowl Sailing Regatta Series.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 900 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.

2006 Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees
Sept. 20: Ray Ray McElrathbey, Clemson
Sept. 27: Martel Van Zant, Oklahoma State
Oct. 4: Terry Hoeppner, Indiana
Oct. 11: Dan Howell, Washington
Oct. 18: Eddie Martin, Navy
Oct. 25: Bill Doba, Washington State
Nov. 1: Jerry Kill, Southern Illinois
Nov. 8: Carl Pendleton, Oklahoma
Nov. 15: Mike Tepper, California
Nov. 29: Carlos Garcia, Oregon State