NEW YORK, June 21, 2004 -- The New York Knickerbockers and MSG Network today announced the winners of the inaugural Dave DeBusschere Award, which will be given to the top male and female athlete in the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The winners were determined by criteria representing the qualities of the late Knick great and NBA Hall of Famer: outstanding overall excellence in athletics (not limited to basketball), academics and community service. DeBusschere, an NBA Hall-of-Famer and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history, passed away suddenly on May 14, 2003. The winners will also be recognized at a to-be-determined Knicks game in the fall.

"Dave was an outstanding athlete, a great leader and a tenacious competitor, and we are proud to be able to extend his legacy to some of our future stars through this award," said Steve Mills, president, Sports Team Operations, Madison Square Garden. "It is a fitting, on-going tribute to a true New York legend."

"I know Dave would be honored that his name is being used to recognize both the on- and off-court accomplishments of these great student-athletes. Our family sends our congratulations and wishes them the best for the future," said Gerri DeBusschere, widow of Dave DeBusschere.

"It is an honor for us at MSG Network to be able to celebrate the legend of Dave DeBusschere this way," said Mike McCarthy, President, MSG Network. "The outpouring of nominations was a testament to what Dave meant to this area. We think that these high school student-athletes embody what he represented and know he would be proud that they were chosen as the award's first recipients."

The 2004 Dave DeBusschere Award winners are:

New York

• Michael Murphy, Sr., Holy Cross HS (Flushing, NY) / Football
• Rosalyn Gold-Onwude, Jr., Archbishop Molloy HS (Briarwood, NY) / Basketball

New Jersey

• John Oates, Sr., Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) / Basketball
• Essence Carson, Sr., Rosa Parks Performing Arts (Paterson, NJ) / Basketball

Connecticut

• Dave McClure, Sr., Trinity Catholic (Stamford, CT) / Basketball
• Susan Starr, Sr., Fairfield HS (Fairfield, CT) / Soccer, Basketball & Golf

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• Will attend and play football at West Point in the fall
• Scored a 1330 SAT
• 2004 NYC Scholar Athlete award winner

Quote from Head Football Coach Tom Pugh. . .
"Michael is the third brother I've coached, and I coached his father too. He's part of a wonderful family. Everyone knows about his major achievements, but he really cares about his teammates. He doesn't want the fan-fare. That's just the type of kid he is."

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• Just a junior
• Is in the top 2% of her class
• Aspires to be a Doctor

Quote from Head Girls' Basketball Coach Marty Towey . . .
"Rosalyn is a very rare student athlete who combines amazing skills on the court with a brilliant mind off of it."

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• Attending Blair Academy in fall
• Eucharistic minister at DBP
• Performs community service for DBP "Student Service" program and assists a local wildlife rehab facility
• 84 avg., 1110 SAT

Quote from Head Basketball Coach Kevin Diverio. . .
"John is a great leader on and off the court. He pushed his teammates to be better players; he pushed himself to be a better player. However, more than being an excellent basketball player, John is a great person."

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• Will attend Rutgers in the fall
• 4.2 GPA (all honors classes)
• Plays the piano, bass guitar, drums, and sax
• Wants to be a music teacher or work in music production

Quote from Head Girls' Basketball Coach Edward Blank. . .
"It is a great honor for Essence and our basketball program to be given this award. The entire school is so proud of her."

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• Will attend Duke next fall
• Led his team to State title
• Honor student
• Mentors at Ridgefield Boys & Girls Club

Quote from Mike Walsh, head basketball coach of Dave McClure at Trinity Catholic. . .
"Dave is a special kid and an excellent student. He made everyone around him better, which is a true measure of a great basketball player. We'll miss Dave and Duke is lucky to have him. He's a great kid."

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• Will Attend Yale next fall
• All-American Scholar-Athlete
• 2003 Connecticut Post "Female Athlete of the Year"
• Member of Greenfield Hill Congregational Church

Quote from Megan Tiley, Athletic Director, Fairfield HS. . .
"Susan Starr is an outstanding student, athlete. She is a three-sport athlete (soccer, basketball and girls golf) that has excelled both on and off the field. We are extremely proud of all of her accomplishments over the past four years and especially proud of her winning the Dave Debusshere award for 2004."