VILLANOVA, Pa. ----- On Tuesday, April 22, 1998, at a banquet held on the Villanova University campus, Wildcat head men's basketball coach Steve Lappas announced that junior guard Howard Brown earned the team's Most Valuable Player award.

Brown, a native of Pottstown, Pa., averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds during the 1997-98 season in which the Wildcats posted a record of 12-17 overall, 8-10 in the Big East Conference. Brown started 27 games on the season and recorded double figures in scoring 21 times. The six-foot-five guard posted a career-high 24 points during the season and hit the game-winning shot versus Pittsburgh in the Big East Tournament.

In an evening that featured speeches from University President Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., and Athletic Director Tim Hofferth, Lappas honored his staff and players. Senior captain Zeffy Penn, departing after five years on the Main Line, addressed the crowd to close out the evening. Penn was honored as the team's Best Defensive Player during the course of the event.

Other award recipients included junior John Celestand as the Al Severance Student-Athlete winner, sophomore T.J. Caouette as the Jake Nevin Spirit Award winner, and sophomore Brian Lynch as the team's most improved. Sophomore Malik Allen won the Best Rebounder award, after leading the team on the glass with an average of 5.8 rpg.

1997-98 Men's Basketball Award Recipients  Most Valuable Player                     Howard BrownAl Severance Student-Athlete             John CelestandMost Improved                            Brian LynchBest Rebounder                           Malik AllenJake Nevin Spirit Award                  T.J. CaouetteBest Defensive Player                    Zeffy Penn

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