The 1999 SMU football award winners were announced at the team's annual banquet tonight. Senior defensive back Tracy Hart, senior defensive end Luke Johnson, senior linebacker Jason Simonton and sophomore quarterback Josh McCown earned the Mustangs' top awards for the 1999 season.

Hart, Johnson and Simonton shared the A. Kenneth Pye President's Award, which is presented to the player or players who contribute most to the success of the total football program. All three players earned first team All-WAC honors as they anchored the Mustang defense.

Hart led SMU and ranked second in the WAC with five interceptions. His five picks in 1999 brought his career total to 12, which is the seventh-highest figure in school history. Hart also led SMU with 10 pass breakups and two blocked kicks in 1999. He started the last 32 games of his college career.

Johnson ended his prolific career as SMU's all-time sacks leader with 23.5 in only three years. In 1999 he set SMU's single season sack record with 11.5 sacks, the eighth-most by any college player in the nation. Johnson ended his SMU career with 216 tackles, 36 of which came behind the line of scrimmage, and six forced fumbles.

SMU's inspirational leader on defense, Simonton led the team in tackles for the second consecutive season. He had 319 career tackles, including a team-best 125 as a senior. He was one of only four players in the WAC last season to average more than 10 tackles per game.

McCown was named the Mustang Club Award winner for offense, given to the team's offensive most valuable player. McCown started all 10 games as a sophomore and ended the year ranked sixth in the WAC in total offense. His passing yardage, passing touchdowns and total offense figures were the highest at SMU since 1996. He also led SMU to average more than 27 points over its last five games of the 1999 season.

Hart, Johnson and Simonton also shared the team's defensive MVP honor (Mustang Club Award for defense). It is the second straight season Simonton earned this recognition, and Johnson earned the distinction in 1997.

Hart earned several awards on the night, including the Special Teams Award. Senior wide receiver Damond Blueitt earned the Lester Jordan Award, which is presented annually to the SMU player who is both outstanding on the field and maintains the highest grade point average over the past two semesters.

The "M" Association Award presented to the players who show the characteristics of hard work, determination and team spirit typical of an SMU letterman went to Blueitt, a two-time recipient of the award, and senior defensive back Raymon Brown. The Wild Horse Award, given to those players who exemplify the spirit of a wild mustang through their outstanding efforts during the season was shared by senior linebacker Roy Coats, senior defensive back Tim Gardner, senior linebacker Paul Wiley, senior offensive lineman Trey Bandy and senior offensive lineman Jerry Chavira.

Senior offensive lineman Austin Adami won the Charles H. Trigg Offensive Blocking Award, which is presented to the team's outstanding offensive lineman. Adami also won the award in 1997. Brown and senior offensive lineman Bill Holder were honored with the Alumni Association Award for the seniors who display outstanding character. The Mike Kelsey Award, bestowed upon the SMU players who display the attitude, hustle and desire exemplary of the late Mike Kelsey, was shared by senior fullback Jeff Pennington and senior running back Rodnick Phillips. Donated by long-time photographer James "Brad" Bradley, the James T. Bradley Award is given to the SMU freshmen who perform most consistently during the season. This year's winners were wide receivers Cody Cardwell and Chris Cunningham.

Also honored were 34 players who earned a 3.0 grade point average or higher during the fall semester and 26 student-athletes who became members of SMU's 3.0 Club (cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better). In addition, first team All-Western Athletic Conference honorees Hart, Johnson, Simonton and Cunningham were recognized.