The team awards will be named in honor of legendary NU Basketball Coach and Athletics Director John J. "Taps" Gallagher. Gallagher was often referred to as the university's ambassador of goodwill. For this, he received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Niagara. His teams' played opponents hard, and with enthusiasm, but also with respect and class.

Gallagher was known as the "Gentleman Coach". In his honor, it seems only fitting that Niagara University recognize a student-athlete on each of the 17 sports teams that best exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship.

Each team will be asked to vote for a team member in their sport that best exhibits good sportsmanship and character. The 17 student-athletes will be honored as part of the end-of-the-year Student-Athlete banquet. A plaque will be placed in the Hall of Fame area honoring each year's recipients.

Criteria:

"Sportsmanship" - The qualities and conduct befitting a sportsman, one who abides by the rules and accepts victory or defeat graciously."

"Sportsman" - A person who can take a loss or defeat without complaint, or a vistory without gloating, and who treats his opponents with fairness, generosity and courtesy.

• The student-athlete shall embody the philosophy and mission of the athletic department, conducting him/herself in a first-rate manner. The university and the athletic department want its student-athletes to understand they are representatives of the school, the department, and their teams.

• The student-athlete shall respect the protocol and decorum of the sport. participate in his/her sport and treat it with respect. This includes respect to coaches, opponents, officials, fans, etc.

• The person each team nominates shall compete to the best of their ability, then be able to shake hands at the contest's conclusion.