He may have played his last game in a BYU uniform, but men's basketball star Kyle Collinsworth is still bringing accolades to his school. Collinsworth, who recently wrapped up a stellar career as the Cougars' point guard, was honored by Governor Gary Herbert at the 5th annual State of Sports Awards.
Collinsworth, the winner for Collegiate Male Athlete of the Year, is BYU's all-time leader in assists and—surprisingly—rebounds. At six feet, six inches, Collinsworth was a tall enough point-guard to collect an abnormal amount of rebounds. His incredible versatility helped him become college basketball's all-time leader in triple-doubles (a game in which a player reaches double figures in three statistical columns).
He overcame several devastating injuries in his career and is now working towards professional basketball. Interestingly, his wife, Shea Martinez-Collinsworth, is an All-American track athlete for the Cougars.
But Collinsworth wasn't the only BYU athlete to be honored. Football players Tanner Mangum and Mitch Mathews won the category of Event/Highlight of the Year for their thrilling last-second Hail Mary touchdown against Nebraska last season.
It was the first game of the season, and the Cougars were down by one when Mangum, unexpectedly quarterbacking his first college game after starter Taysom Hill was injured, launched a 42-yard bomb to Mathews. Rather than describe the play in any more detail, it's probably best to just show you:
Mangum will return to BYU next season, but he'll be competing with Hill for the starting quarterback job in what should be an epic battle.
Other BYU nominees were Lexi Rydalch, Nadia Gomes, and Alexa Gray, who were all nominated for Collegiate Female Athlete of the Year. Former Pittsburgh Pirates' great Vernon "The Deacon" Law was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.