West Virginia University and its fans received the first annual Big East Conference Sportsmanship Act of the Year Award. West Virginia was announced the winner during the first half of the Connecticut versus Notre Dame Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament semifinal game Monday in Hartford, Conn. WVU’s winning moment took place during its matchup with Connecticut in the wake of UConn cornerback Jasper Howard’s death. Players and coaches embraced the Huskies as they shook hands both before and after the game, while the fans gave Connecticut a standing ovation. Head coaches Bill Stewart and Randy Edsall shared an emotional hug after the game, as well. The winner was chosen by an online fan vote at BigEast.org. Nominees were chosen by the 16-member Big East Conference Senior Women’s Administrators. Other nominees included the dance-off that occurred between South Florida and Connecticut in the Big East Baseball Tournament during a five-hour rain delay and an entrance created for Big East Most Outstanding Swimmer Josh Schneider. Fellow swimmers from opposing schools created a dramatic entrance that was similar to what you would see at a wedding for the bride and groom. — bmk
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