Old Dominion Head Football Coach Bobby Wilder was named the Norfolk Sports Club Tom Fergusson Memorial Award Winner, given to the Metropolitan Sports Person of the Year. Wilder will be honored at the 72nd Annual Norfolk Sports Club Jamboree tonight held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
The first two-time winner of the award, Wilder led Old Dominion to a 10-3 record in 2016 and a 24-20 win over Eastern Michigan in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. The game was the first bowl game for the school, as ODU is one of five schools to have a perfect record in bowl games.
ODU was one of 26 FBS programs to total 10 or more wins in the 2016-17 season. The Monarchs won nine of their last 10 games and finished the season on a six-game winning streak, tied for the fourth longest winning streak in the country.
Wilder is one of just three Conference USA coaches to have three, 10 win seasons, joining Rice's David Bailiff (2 at Rice, 1 at Texas State) and Marshall's Doc Holliday (3 at Marshall).
ODU had 12 players featured on the Conference USA all-conference teams, while seniors TJ Ricks, Rashaad Coward and Zach Pascal will play in all-star games.
The Monarchs finished in the top-10 in the country in six categories, including second only to Western Michigan in fewest turnovers with just 10. ODU tied for fourth in FBS with a +13 turnover margin. Wilder helped guide quarterback David Washington to one of just two FBS quarterbacks to throw 30 or more touchdown passes and five or less interceptions (Zach Terrell/Western Michigan).
Wilder has a 67-30 record in eight years with the Monarchs.
Three of the last four winners of the Fergusson Award have been affiliated with ODU. Director of Athletics, Dr. Wood Selig won in 2013, former quarterback and current Minnesota Viking Taylor Heinicke won in 2014, and now Wilder in 2016.