HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Michigan Tech honored its student-athletes and handed out awards at its third annual major awards luncheon today in the Student Development Complex Gymnasium.

The Raymond L. Smith Award for the outstanding female and male senior student-athletes went to Catherine Rottier (Seymour, Wis.) of the women’s basketball team and Tim Strom (Marquette, Mich.) of the men’s basketball team. The Terry Wilson Awards for the top freshman female and male student-athletes went to volleyball’s Kaitlin Wiza (Cedarburg, Wis.) and football’s Phil Milbrath (Norway, Mich.). In addition, football senior Kirk Williams (DeWitt, Mich.) was given the Rick Webster “SISU” Award.

Rottier wrapped up a stellar career by racking up a school-record 189 assists in 2007-08. She also averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds en route to a selection to the All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division First Team. Rottier finished her career tied for the school’s all-time assists record with 439.

Strom finished as his team’s most valuable player and leading scorer for the second straight year. The two-time All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection is one of only 12 men’s basketball players in school history to finish his career with both 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.

Wiza was a consistent player in the lineup for the Huskies appearing in 25 matches and 87 games as the libero. She led all Huskies with a 3.74 digs per game average. The Tech freshman also posted 13 service aces and a .901 reception percentage, second best on the team.

Milbrath played in nine games in 2007 and rushed for 720 yards on 134 carries. The true freshman tied for the team lead in scoring with nine touchdowns and recorded three 100-yard games.

The “SISU” Award is a special honor bestowed upon an individual associated with athletics at Michigan Tech who has overcome adversity, exhibited courage through difficult situations, performed with pain/injury, or performed admirably after recovering from a severe injury. The word “SISU” comes from the Finnish language meaning “guts.”

Williams overcame several major injuries to complete his eligibility in 2007. The team’s offensive player of the year and two-time team captain suffered two knee injuries, a shoulder injury and a hand injury during his career. He finished third all-time at Michigan Tech in career receptions with 136.

Several other awards were presented at the press conference including the Ken Hamar Award, which is given annually to “true supporters” of the Michigan Tech athletic program by the Huskies Club. The Hamar Award was presented to Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz and Gail Mroz.

Michigan Tech athletics director Suzanne Sanregret also presented 15 honorary awards. Honorary letters were given to 14 people who volunteered at the U.S. Skiing Senior Nationals: Dan DeBeaubien, Jane deMartini, Emily Fiala, Brenda Helminen, Susan Hooker, Chris Hughes, Jim Meese, Sheila Milligan, Jeff Parker, Eric Peterson, Mark Sherman, Jim Tervo, Dean Woodbeck, and Christine Young. An honorary blanket was presented to Chris Ipson, who has completed 20 seasons working as Tech’s hockey trainer.

In addition to today’s awards, the Michigan Tech hockey team has awarded the inaugural Rick Yeo Unsung Hero Award to senior Jimmy Kerr. The senior captain tallied nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points on the year. He missed the final four games of the regular season with a shoulder injury before returning to the lineup for the playoffs. The award is in honor of Rick Yeo, former athletic director, assistant hockey coach, athletic development director and student-athlete at Michigan Tech.