HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i football head coach Greg McMackin announced the 2011 award winners at the annual awards banquet, sponsored by Na Koa, Sunday, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
 
For the second consecutive year, quarterback Bryant Moniz was the recipient of the Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award. The senior became just the fifth two-time winner of the award and first since Eddie Klaneski captured it in back-to-back seasons in 1996 and '97.
 
Prior to suffering a season-ending leg injury against Nevada last month, Moniz led the WAC in passing and total offense. He became just the third quarterback in school history to surpass 10,000 yards in his career, finishing his career with 10,169 passing yards and 75 touchdowns.
 
Also for the second straight year, linebacker Corey Paredes captured the Ben Yee Most Inspirational Player Award. The senior from Kane'ohe, O'ahu played the entire season with an injured leg but did not miss a start. He finished his career seventh on the school's all-time tackles list with 315, including a team-leading 107 this season.
 
Wide receiver Royce Pollard received the Most Outstanding Offensive Player Award. The senior from San Diego, Calif., had a breakout season in 2011, finishing with 71 receptions for 1,011 yards and tied for the team-lead with eight touchdowns.
 
Linebacker Aaron Brown was the recipient of the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award. The senior from Puyallup, Wash., started all 12 games he played in this season and recorded 103 total tackles, including 13.0 for loss and 4.5 sacks, and tied for the team-lead with three interceptions.
 
Sophomore Kamalani Alo was named the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. Playing on nearly every kickoff and punt teams, the Ha'aula, O'ahu native finished with 11 tackles, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick.
 
The Most Improved Player Award went to linebacker Art Laurel. The sophomore from Wahiawa, O'ahu led the team with nine sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He also had three forced fumbles, one interception, and five quarterback hurries.
 
Running back Joey Iosefa was the team's Newcomer of the Year. The redshirt freshman from Pago Pago, American Samoa, led the team in rushing (548) and tied for the team lead with eight touchdowns. 
 
Defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga captured the Scholar-Athlete Award while fellow tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu was the Warrior Club recipient. Meatoga, a senior from Kalaheo, Kaua'i, started nearly every game since his sophomore season and is a three-time WAC scholar-athlete. Tuipulotu, a senior from Lahaina, Maui, has teamed with Meatoga to form the WAC's best defensive tackle tandem.
 
The Scout Team Award winner was freshman Kendrick Van Ackeren of Bellevue, Wash., who redshirted this season.
 
The Warriors (6-7) finished the season with a loss to old rival Brigham Young, 41-20, Saturday. The loss eliminated Hawai'i from postseason consideration.
 
2011 Award Winners 
Captain's Award: Bryant Moniz, Royce Pollard, Corey Paredes, Richard Torres
Warrior Club: Kaniela Tuipulotu
Scout Team Award: Kendrick Van Ackeren
Scholar-Athlete Award: Vaughn Meatoga
Most Improved Player Award: Art Laurel
Newcomer of the Year: Joey Iosefa
Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Royce Pollard
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Aaron Brown
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Kamalani Alo
Ben Yee Most Inspirational Award: Corey Paredes
Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award: Bryant Moniz