Photos (2x2-inch negatives) by Larry Mitchell / The Signal.

May 20, 1971 — COC Basketball's Gary Ray is the first-ever recipient of the "Outstanding Scholar Athlete" award, presented during the college's second annual Winter-Spring Sports Award Banquet at Valencia's Ranch House Inn. (It was the second year for the awards banquet but the first time the Outstanding Scholar Athlete was recognized.)

First photo (above) shows Ray, who scored 1,252 points in two seasons at COC, receiving the MVP award.

Second photo: COC Basketball Head Coach Lee Smelser presents an award.

Third photo: COC President and Mrs. Robert C. Rockwell are seated at left.

Gary Ray, who scored 1,252 points in two seasons as a forward with College of the Canyons' Cougar basketball team, was named the "Outstanding Scholar Athlete" at the second annual Winter-Spring Sports Award banquet last Thursday night [May 20, 1971].

The trophy, to be presented annually by the college Board of Trustees, is the first awarded by the new community college in Valencia. Peter Huntsinger, board president, made the presentation.

Ray, who played on the Desert Conference All-Star team and who scored an average of 22 points a game the past season, also received the "Most Valuable Player" and "Captain's" awards.

Mike Martinez, Cougar distance running star who set three league records in one afternoon at the recent Desert Conference track meet hosted by COC, was named "Most Valuable Track Man" and shared the "Captain's" award with Jerry Larimer, intermediate, hurler. Larimer also received the "Most Inspirational" trophy.

Martinez is tied for second place in national ranking for junior college two-milers.

Kal Goudey was named "Most Inspirational Player" on the basketball team; Dean Raynor received the "Captain's" trophy for baseball, and Abby Nocciolo, hard hitting All-Conference catcher, was named "Most Valuable Player" on the Cougar baseball team.

One of the most popular presentations of the evening was that of Jerry Pigg, likeable student manager of the Cougar baseball team, who received the "Most Inspiratoinal Player" award.

Kurt Freeman, coach of the wrestling team, presented intramural awards to Steve Pearson, Willy Robertson, Charles Smith, Richard Smith, Bob Tyler, and Hassan Nasserolmemarin.

In addition, 43 letters and certificates were awarded Cougar athletes at the well-attended affair held at the Ranch House Inn in Valencia.

Basketball letters, presented by Coach Lee Smelser, went to Cecil Calhoun, Dwight Carr, Louis Dixon, Antonio Gisbertz, Kal Goudey, Ron Henke, Regis Malone, John Rexwinkle, Gary Ray, Dan Smith, and Ron Vandermeer.

Coach Mike Gillespie awarded baseball letters to Rick Campbell, Terry French, Steve Gallion, Joey Giacomozzi (sic: Giacomazzi), Art Gilbreath, Ralph Mahaffey, Abby Nocciolo, Jerry Pigg, Dean Raynor, Emilio Reyes, Frank Sanchez, Cary Smith, Duane Smith and Regis Malone.

Ed Jacoby, who coached the track team to its first Desert Conference championship this spring, presented letters to Ron Boydston, Bob Broline, Bill Brewer, Dwight Carr, Norman Coe, Mike Hardy, Wayne Kizer, Jerry Larimer, Fred Lawrence, Mike Martinez, Bob McCay, Clint McKinney, Steve Pearson, Don Phillips, John Rexwinkle, Ed Roach, Andy Sherry, and John Woodring.

Bruce Fortine, vice-president-clerk of the Board of Trustees, served as master of ceremonies.

Other participants included Dr. Robert C. Rockwell, superintendent-president; Charles Rheinschmidt, athletic director and assistant superintendent-student personnel; Ed Wade, president of the Cougar Bench Club; Bill Brewer, Associated Student Body president and Fred Lawrence, student.