May 12, 2006
WICHITA, Kan. - UCF senior catcher Ryan Bono has been named a semifinalist for the 2006 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced. The award is presented annually at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet to the nation's top collegiate catcher, as voted on by the national voting committee which is comprised of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I coaches and scouts.
Bono is the second Golden Knight in two years to be named a semifinalist for the award. Last season, Drew Butera was one of 10 semifinalists for the award.
Bono has excelled in his senior campaign, both behind the dish and with the bat. He is batting .317 with four home runs and 30 RBI. Bono is fourth in school history with 51 doubles. The Lake Mary native has appeared in 219 career games, ninth all-time at UCF. Bono is eighth in career history in at-bats (702) and needs just four hits, five walks and two RBI to move into a tie for 10th place in school history in those respective categories. He is also the school's all-time leader in getting hit by a pitch.
A comprehensive biography will be created on each of the semifinalists and sent to the national voting committee at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 1, 2006.
A final vote among the national selection committee will occur during the College World Series. All three finalists and their coaches will be invited to Wichita for the 9th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 28, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Wichita. Johnny Bench will present the award to the recipient.