Sports

For several Maggy Award recipients in the sports category, this is the year of the three-peat.

In the categories of Best College Football Team, Best Local Baseball Team and Best Play-by-Play Announcer, the North Carolina State's Wolfpack, the Durham Bulls and UNC-Chapel Hill broadcaster Woody Durham, respectively, earned first-place honors for the third consecutive year. That's quite a feat, especially considering the formidable competition on the ballot.

After a tough start through the first six games on the gridiron schedule, including a season-opening loss against Central Florida, at press time, State's football team was still battling for bowl eligibility. The Pack peaked at midseason, capturing key Atlantic Coast Conference victories against Virginia, Miami and in-state rival North Carolina.

"I've said since the moment I took this job that Wolfpack fans are the best in the state, and I think this honor is further proof of that," said first-year NCSU coach Tom O'Brien. "The fans pack the stadium, they wear red and they vote for their team. Because of them, our team has earned this recognition."

Although the Pack struggled somewhat on the playing field, the team had no problem beating out runners-up UNC and Wake Forest for top honors among Cary Magazine readers.

Just down the road, the thrice-honored Durham Bulls showed why their team so deserves yet another top-finish Maggy Award. Bulls General Manager Mike Birling reflected on the team's bittersweet 2007 season. "We made it to the finals of the International League Championship, and we were up two games to one against Richmond in the best-of-five series," he said. "Unfortunately, we lost the last two games, so we fell one game short of another championship. It was hard to take, but we had an incredible season overall and set an all-time attendance record."

Birling said the Bulls organization was "thankful for the support of the fans" who continue to come out and get behind the players. "To me, it's not just about the team, but it's about the fans and the kind of family atmosphere we are trying to create here," he said.

In the readers' poll, the Bulls beat out the always-competitive collegiate squads of NCSU and UNC. The Heels made another solid appearance in Omaha, Neb., earning a spot in the National Championship. Ultimately, though, Carolina ran out of steam and lost two straight games to Oregon State.

On the bright side, UNC edged both State and Duke to claim the Maggy for Best College Basketball Team. After winning the 2007 ACC Tournament and entering the Big Dance as a No. 1 seed in the East Regional, the team fell short of a Final Four appearance after losing in the elite eight against Georgetown.

Coming through again for Carolina, veteran play-by-play announcer Woody Durham brought home his third successive Maggy in impressive fashion, outdistancing Carolina Hurricanes television analyst John Forslund and Canes radio announcer Chuck Kaiton.

"I'm flattered to receive this honor again, especially in the aftermath of a tough football season this past year," said the Tar Heel Sports Network's Durham, who has 36 years of experience behind the microphone calling Carolina basketball and football games.

"My family lived in Cary for a few years from 1977 until 1984," Durham revealed. "We still have a lot of friends there, so maybe those folks influenced the voting and stuffed the ballot box," he added with a laugh.

Although this may come as a surprise, legendary Duke Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski scored his first-ever Maggy Award just this year. Coach K received honorable mention in 2006 and finished behind UNC coach Roy Williams in 2007.

"It is humbling when you are recognized by the fans in such a positive fashion," said Krzyzewski. "I am appreciative to be the recipient of the Maggy Award. It is a testament to all the hard work and success of our players. No coach would receive any honors without their dedication every day."

Coming in just below Krzyzewski in the voting was Williams, and, for the first time, Wolfpack women's basketball coach Kay Yow made honorable mention, placing a close third.