Jan. 2, 2009
UTEP's Jamie Irving and Bernard Obi were both named to the Conference USA Coaches' All-Freshman Team on Friday, while Jamar Hunt was recognized as a Spirit of Service Award winner by the league office.
A 6-3, 220-pound defensive lineman, Obi collected 15 tackles this season, including 2.5 for losses, with 1.5 sacks. Irving, a 6-1, 215-pound linebacker, ended the year with 10 stops, including a half tackle for loss.
Hunt was one of 12 football student-athletes honored with inaugural C-USA Spirit of Service Awards. The C-USA Spirit of Service Award is designed to recognize the community service efforts of the league's student-athletes, based upon significant community service, good academic standing and participation in their elected sport. Hunt has been a strong presence in the El Paso community since arriving on the UTEP campus. Some of his activities include mentoring children, participating in the local Youth Football League and volunteering at the Child Crisis Center. He is also involved with Adopt-A-Miner, where he teaches the importance of education and staying involved in the community to elementary schools. The senior tight end recently earned his degree in organizational communication.
