The Dapper Dan Sportsman & Sportswoman of the Year award has been awarded for 71 years and this year a few Pitt folks will be nominated for the award.

In the Sportsman of the Year category:

Jamie Dixon, Pitt basketball coach – Guided the team to a 25-8 mark and a spot in the Big East Conference Tournament title game during the 2005-06 campaign. Led the Panthers to at least 20 victories and a spot in the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons as head coach. Has a team ranked 7th in the nation this season with a 14-2 record.

In the Sportswoman of the Year category:

Agnus Berenato, Pitt basketball coach – Guided the women’s basketball team to 22 victories and a spot in the Final Four of the WNIT in 2005-06. Got the Panthers off to a 13-2 start this season – the best in the program’s history – in pursuit of their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Marcedes Walker, Pitt basketball center – Was named First Team All-Big East performer for the Pitt women’s basketball team in 2005-06 when she averaged 16.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest. This junior scored the 1,000th point of her college career earlier this season during a victory over Robert Morris.

Voting can be done online here. Voting ends January 30 and the winners will be honored at the 71st annual Dapper Dan Dinner & Sports Auction on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at the Convention Center.