March 14, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF senior catcher Ryan Bono was named to the official watch list for the 2006 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award announced on Tuesday by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. Twenty-six catchers from 15 conferences were nominated for the award by their coaches. Because the award is given annually to the top Division I collegiate catcher, the list will be updated to include other candidates until May 1, 2006.
Bono is batting .328 in 17 games this season for the Golden Knights. He is tied for the team lead in hits (20), home runs (2) and ranks second on the club in RBI (12). Bono has also thrown out 7-of-18 opponents attempting to steal in 2006.
The watch list will be narrowed down to 10 semifinalists, whom will be announced May 11, 2006. A comprehensive biography will be created on each of the semifinalists and sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced May 31, 2006, prior to the NCAA Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the ninth Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 28, 2006.
Johnny Bench presented Southern California catcher, Jeff Clement, with the award last June in Wichita, Kansas. Nick Hundley of the University of Arizona and Taylor Teagarden of the University of Texas were the other finalists for the award.
Former Golden Knight Drew Butera, a fifth round draft pick of the New York Mets in last June's Major League Draft, was one of 10 semifinalists for the award last year.
"We are extremely appreciative of the Coleman Company being the title sponsor of this prestigious award," stated Bob Hanson, President/CEO of the Sports Commission. "They are the ones who make all of this possible."
"We are grateful that Johnny Bench is the namesake for our award because he is, without a doubt, the greatest catcher to ever play the game," Hanson said. "We are very excited to have someone of his caliber support our efforts in honoring the accomplishments of these college players."
While Bench is remembered for his offense, he may have had the greatest impact behind the plate. He was the first receiver to use a protective helmet in the field, popularized catching one-handed and kept his throwing hand behind his back to protect it from foul tips.
Bench's career honors include: National League Rookie of the Year (1968); National League Most Valuable Player (1970, 1972); World Series Most Valuable Player (1976); 14-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. In 1980, he set an endurance record by catching 100+ games for 13 consecutive seasons. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth-highest percentage of total votes cast.