University of Georgia Athletics
UGA Athletics Among Atlanta Sports Awards Winners
February 12, 2008 | General
Diaz was named Coach of the Year after leading the UGA men's tennis team to the 2007 National Championship. The 2007 squad finished a perfect 22-0 and also claimed the ITA Team Indoor National Championship, SEC regular season championship and the SEC Tournament crown. Diaz was also named 2007 SEC Coach of the Year, ITA Coach of the Year, and he is the only active coach who has won multiple national titles.
Joyce, a 28-time swimming All-America, was honored as Collegiate Athlete of the Year. She capped her career by winning the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events at the NCAA Championships, becoming only the second woman ever to claim four straight national titles in two events. She earned National Swimmer of the Year and SEC Swimmer of the Year honors and won the 2007 Honda Award for swimming and diving, signifying the senior as the nation's top collegiate female swimmer.
"We are so proud of her and for everything she did for the University of Georgia," Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle said. "She is a magnificent athlete, certainly one of the best that Georgia has ever had in any sport. She is also a great young lady. She has always been fun to coach and fun to be around. This is definitely a well-deserved award."
The 2007 Georgia gymnastics team was honored as Team of the Year. The 2007 Gym Dogs went 31-2-1 and claimed the program's third straight National Championship. Georgia totaled 15 All-America honors during championship weekend. The Gym Dogs were also named Team of the Year at the 2007 Atlanta Sports Awards.
Payne was named recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Coca-Cola. A 1968 All-SEC defensive end, Payne helped lead Georgia to the 1969 Sugar Bowl and was part of two SEC Championship teams. He currently serves as chairman of Augusta National Golf Club.
Munson was named recipient of the Furman Bisher Award for Sports Media Excellence Presented by the Atlanta Sports Council. Munson recently concluded his 42nd year as the radio voice of Georgia football in 2007, broadcasting every home game and the Nov. 24 Georgia-Georgia Tech game in Atlanta to finish the regular season.
Created by the Atlanta Sports Council and presented by Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, the Atlanta Sports Awards honors the most accomplished athletes and teams at all levels throughout the metro Atlanta community.
The Atlanta Sports Awards honors 11 award recipients who distinguish themselves from the five million people living in the 29 metro Atlanta counties and surrounding areas. That includes all six Atlanta professional sports teams, 14 universities, 12 junior colleges and more than 250 public and private high schools.
