First Bob Riley "Spirit Award" presented to Chris Stewart
4/26/2010 11:22:00 AM | Football
One of the highlights of the 22nd annual Sam Houston State football dinner and auction Friday April 23 was the announcement by director of athletics Bobby Williams of the new Bob Riley Spirit Award.
The award honors Bob Riley, long time assistant football coach. The award will be presented each spring to a Sam Houston senior football player.
Riley was a member of Ron Randleman's original coaching staff at Sam Houston State in 1982. He served as the Bearkats' offensive backfield coach, tutoring five of Sam Houston's top 10 career rushers including all-time leader Charles Harris who gained 2,688 yards and scored 26 touchdowns from 1991 to 1994.
Since Riley's retirement, he has continued to assist the football staff in many ways as a volunteer.
The first recipient of the Bob Riley Spirit Award was defensive lineman Chris Stewart, a senior from Magnolia. Stewart is a four-year letterman for the Bearkats, starting in the defensive line during the 2010 season.
"Bob Riley has been such an important part of the Bearkat football program since Sam Houston State moved up to the NCAA level," Williams said. "It truly is exciting to honor Bob and the spirit and enthusiasm he has brought to Sam Houston football with this new award."
