Undefeated Eph Football Team Hands Out 2021 Team Awards

WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. -- In 2021 Mark Raymond's Williams College football team recorded the eighth perfect season at Williams with all wins no losses and no ties (9-0-0). The first seven Eph perfect seasons were all 8-0-0 campaigns and the 2021 season is the first time Williams has ever won all nine games in a season and finished a season 9-0-0.
 
A ceremony was held at the Williams Inn on Spring Street on Sunday, December 5 to celebrate the historic season by the Ephs and hand out the annual team awards.
 
BELVIDERE BROOKS MEMORIAL AWARD -- Junior defensive lineman Ian Devine



Purchased from a fund established by alumni of the College, friends of Captain Belvidere Brooks '10, who was killed in action at Villesavoye, France, August 21, 1918. Presented at the close of the football season by the President of the College to the member of the team whose playing during the season has been of the greatest credit to the College. No person shall receive the medal more than once. Awarded by the committee made up of the chairman of the faculty committee on athletics, the head coach and the manager of the team.
 
MICHAEL D. RAKOV MEMORIAL AWARD – Senior tight end Justin Burke

 
Presented in 1957 by the members of Alpha Delta Phi, to be awarded annually to the member of the varsity football team who, in the opinion of his coaches, is the most improved lineman, and who possesses superior qualities of leadership, aggressiveness and determination.
 
CHARLES DEWOODY SALMON AWARD – Sophomore defensive lineman C.J. Vilfort

 
Presented in 1960 by his former teammates in memory of Captain Charles D. Salmon, USAF, former Little All-American guard and captain of the 1951 Williams College football team, killed in the service of his country. Awarded to that member of the varsity football squad who, in the opinion of the coaching staff, has made the most significant contribution to the varsity football team in his sophomore or first year of eligibility. Presented by the team of 1951 in the sincere hope that it will serve to inspire the recipients in the years to follow to seek the same superior qualities of performance and leadership, which Chuck Salmon exemplified.
 
DR. EDWARD J. COUGHLIN, JR. BOWL – Senior linebacker Jarrett Wesner


 
Presented by the Williams Sideline Quarterback Club to that member of the Williams College Football team who in spite of adversity or injury has made an outstanding contribution to the team.
 
RICHARD J. FARLEY AWARD  (Coach Farley) – Senior quarterback Robert Maimaron



Presented by Dick Farley, College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2006) and member of ESPN's College Football list of the 150 greatest college coaches, to the senior member of the football team who in the opinion of the coaching staff demonstrated the superior qualities of dedication, loyalty and sacrifice for the betterment of the team. Farley coached the Ephs from 1987-2003 and posted five perfect seasons and compiled a career record of 114-19.3 (.849).
 
Michael Meredith Reily '64 Award – Senior linebacker TJ Rothmann



Presented by Ben Wagner '64  who was a teammate and Eph captain along with Mike Reily.
Presented in 2011 for the first time, the Michael Meredith Reily '64 Award honors the player who best embodies the spirit, ideals, and character of the team. The award is presented at the end of each season.

Named in honor of Mike Reily '64 who exemplified over his Williams career the highest levels of performance and leadership on the playing field with extraordinary levels of determination, courage, and grace in the face of personal adversity.
Mike Reily was named an All-American in both 1961 and 1962. In November of 1962 it was determined that Reily had Hodgkin's Disease. Although his health deteriorated over the next 18 months, Reily was determined to graduate with his class, remaining a presence on campus, attending classes, presiding over his fraternity, and serving as a co-captain of the 1963 team.

After graduating with his class and receiving his Williams diploma in June of 1964, Reily passed away 31 days later. Reily was respected and loved by his teammates and all who knew him. Mike Reily represented the highest ideal of Williams College and the Williams College football program.