(April 30, 2004) ?C William D. Walsh, a major benefactor of Fordham University and an Honorary Co-Chairman of the school??s Gridiron Club, received the Mara Family Award for his dedication and support of the football program at the annual Fordham Gridiron Club Dinner held at the Union League Club. Walsh is a major sponsor of the football program, helping the Rams build an athletic training center on campus that bears his name, as well as to the university in general, helping with a major donation to complete the new library on campus, the William D. Walsh Family Library. Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., the current Dean of Fordham College who will be resigning that position shortly to become president of Fairfield University, was also honored at the dinner with a special gift presented by Dr. Andy Cordaro, FCO ??66. The Fordham Senior Awards were also announced at the dinner with Stephen Ayers winning the Macken Award, Dan McGrath receiving the Danowski Award, Prince Poitier and Colby Khuns being named co-recipients of the Lansing Trophy, Kirwin Watson earning the Tierney Award and Javarus Dudley being named the Team??s Most Valuable Player. Ayers, a punter, won the Macken Award, named for the late Bob Macken, a former Fordham special assistant coach who epitomized the ??Fordham person.?? Ayers took over the starting punting duties in 2003 following the graduation of First Team All-Patriot League selection, and current Arizona Cardinal, Matt Fordyce. Ayers punted 55 times on the year for 2,117 yards, an average of 38.5 yards/punt, second best in the Patriot League. More importantly, he downed 15 of his 55 punts inside the 20 and didn??t have one blocked as he earned First Team All-Patriot League honors. McGrath, a senior captain, was the recipient of the Danowski Award, presented annually to the senior who through leadership, sacrifice and commitment to excellence upon the field of play, exemplifies the character of former Fordham player and head coach Ed Danowski. McGrath, who saw his senior season cut short due to injury, made 53 tackles in seven games as well as intercepting three passes and recovering two fumbles. He also served as the punt returner for the Rams, bringing back 13 punts for 149 yards. McGrath graduates as Fordham??s all-time leader in punt returns and punt return yardage. Poitier and Khuns were named co-recipients of the Lansing Trophy, giving annually to the top lineman at Fordham. The award is presented in honor of Jim Lansing, a former Fordham player and coach, who was a consensus All-American in 1941. Poitier, a three-year starter, anchored an offensive line that allowed the Rams to set numerous rushing and passing records over the past two years. He was named First Team All-Patriot League in 2003. Khuns, a defensive lineman, led the Fordham line with 48 total tackles, 32 solo. He also led the team with 14 tackles for a loss and he registered three sacks on the year as he earned First Team All-Patriot League honors. Watson, a First-Team All-Patriot League pick at running back the past two years, was named the 2004 recipient of the Tierney Award, presented to the varsity player who, in the estimates of his teammates, represents the spirit that Bill Tierney so unselfishly exemplified. Bill Tierney was a former Fordham Ram who passed away while warming up prior to the Lafayette game in 1996. Watson led the Rams in rushing the past three years, gaining a school record 1,477 yards on 311 carries this past fall while scoring a school record 20 rushing touchdowns. Watson, who was named a Second Team All-American in 2003, graduates as Fordham??s all-time rushing leader with 4,617 yards, third best all-time in the Patriot League. He also leaves with the Patriot League and Fordham career records for touchdowns with 48. Dudley, a 2003 consensus First Team All-American, was named the team??s MVP, led the NCAA I-AA in receptions with 101 and was second in receiving yards with 1,439. He was only one of two players on any level of the NCAA this year to catch over 100 passes while his 101 receptions and 1,439 yards were school and Patriot League records. A First Team All-Patriot League selection the past three years, Dudley graduates as the Patriot League??s all-time leading receiver with 295 career receptions for 4,197 yards. He is also the league??s career all-purpose yardage leader with 7,121 yards as well as kickoff return yardage with 2,663 yards. Dudley was not in attendance at the dinner as he was invited to participate in the Green Bay Packer??s minicamp which started on Friday.