All-American linebacker Jordon Dizon and NCAA champion skier Maria Grevsgaard were named the University of Colorado's Athletes of the Year at Tuesday Night's eighth annual CUSPY (CU Sports Performers of the Year) Awards dinner.

More than 300 student-athletes, coaches, staff and C-Club members attended the year-end banquet at the Coors Events Center, organized by CU's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to honor athletic accomplishments for the 2007-08 athletic year.

Dizon, a consensus All-America linebacker who finished as the runner-up for the Butkus Award, was also the coaches' choice for the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first-team All-Big 12 performer, finished second in the nation in tackles (160) in the regular season and led the NCAA in solo tackles with 120.

Other finalists included Marcus Hall (basketball) and Brent Vaughn (cross country and track).

Grevsgaard was named the top female athlete after helping CU to a runner-up team finish at the NCAA Championships with victories in both the classical and freestyle Nordic events. She won 11 of 12 races during the season, tied a school record for the most wins in a season and zoomed to the top of CU's all-time win list in any discipline by any gender with 19.

Two other finalists were Jackie McFarland (basketball) and Jenny Barringer (cross country and track).

The Male Career Athletic Achievement Award went to basketball player Richard Roby, who finished his four-year collegiate career as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,001 points.

The Female Career Athletic Achievement Award went to alpine skier Lucie Zikova, the second woman and just the sixth athlete overall to win three individual NCAA titles. She was recognized as a first-team All-American seven times (four in slalom, three is GS), tying the school record, and finished in the top five in 39 of 48 career races, including an amazing 21 top three finishes in 24 slaloms.

The Male Freshman Athlete of the Year Award was given to Matt Tebo. He became the first true freshman to be named All-American during the indoor track season since Dathan Ritzenhein in 2002, as he finished 10th in the 5,000-meter run at the NCAA Championships.

Basketball's Brittany Spears captured the Female Freshman Athlete of the Year Award. Spears led all Big 12 freshmen in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots while ranking second in steals and fourth in assists. She was named to the All-Big 12 Rookie Team and also earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors.

SAAC members selected assistant director of academics Erin Cunningham as staff member of the year.

The Student Athlete Support Award was given to the ticket office for the group's overall diligence and dedication in working with the students.

The prestigious Buffalo Award of Distinction, given to a student-athlete for outstanding contributions to his or her team, their peers and the athletic department overall, was presented to senior track thrower James Begley. The president of CU's SAAC and a committee member for four-and-a-half years, he has spent countless hours not only working on projects to benefit the organization, he's played a pivotal role in several community relations programs.

The SAAC Distinguished Service Award, presented to senior members who contributed significantly to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, was given to 11 seniors: Begley, Ryan Campbell and Greg Castro (track), Zikova, Miles Cooke, Mia Gaw, Kit Richmond and Rachel Roosevelt (skiing), Jackie McFarland (women's basketball), Gleisy Torres Torres (tennis) and Therese Vinal (volleyball).

The Athlete's Choice Award, for the student who demonstrated outstanding spirit, enthusiasm and leadership while overcoming adversity, was awarded to Jeremy Dodson (track). While having to deal with a tragic loss of a family member, he still managed with a heavy heart to become one of the top sprinters in the Big 12 Conference.

The Speed, Strength & Conditioning Awards for the "lifters of the year" were awarded to five athletes: Zeb Kopasz (Ralphie handler, male), Christiane Pheil (tennis, female fall), Gianna Desaverio (soccer, female spring), and Maurice Cantrell and Brandon Nicolas (the football).