TicketsDec. 9, 2011
CINCINNATI - Former University of Cincinnati outfielder and current Chicago Cub Tony Campana, who defeated Hodgkin's lymphoma as a child, was named the winner of the 22nd annual Tony Conigliaro Award on Friday.
The award is presented to a Major League player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Conigliaro.
A 25-year-old native of Springboro, Ohio, Campana made his major league debut May 17 against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. In 95 games played for the Cubs in 2011, he batted .259 with six RBI and 24 stolen bases. His lone home run of the season was an inside-the-park roundtripper against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 8 at Wrigley Field.
Campana, a two-time letterwinner for the Bearcats in 2007 and 2008, owns UC records for career stolen bases (104), steals in a season (60 - 2007) and in an individual game (6). He was a 2008 All-BIG EAST First Team selection during his senior. His nine career triples, eight of which he posted in `08, are tied for seventh on the all-time UC list.
Campana received six first-place votes and 45 points in the voting. Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury had five first-place votes and 33 points, and D-backs third baseman Sean Burroughs had one first-place vote and 20 points.
Billy and Richie Conigliaro, Tony Conigliaro's brothers, will present the award Jan. 19 at the 73rd Boston Baseball Writers Association of America annual dinner.
Joined by three-time American League All-Star infielder Kevin Youkilis and Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Josh Harrison, Campana is one of three former Bearcats currently playing Major League Baseball.
Season tickets for the 2012 UC baseball season are currently on sale with a special promotional price of just $10. To purchase season tickets for all 30 home games at Marge Schott Stadium, contact the UC ticket office by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or online at catstix.com.
Click here to read the complete release from Major League Baseball.