monkey

Monkey-On-Your-Back Award Winners

In the 1993 Tourney Finals, the match ended when Scott Drake drilled a beautiful set with everything he had. Unfortunately for Scott, Mike Pearsall was waiting at the net and the double thud we heard and saw was the ball making contact with Mike's right hand and the ground on Scott's side. The memory of that game ending sequence stayed with Scott all year.

The following summer Scott's team ended up in the finals again, against the same team. However, the results were reversed and Scott's team won their 2nd Tourney Championship. That afternoon, before the Tourney Banquet, Scott's team was brainstorming possible gag awards. Teammate Mark Lowe commented that having won, the monkey was finally off Scott's back, and on someone else. It was quiet for a moment while everyone began to replay the final point of the championship game. Jon Carne had powered one over the top of the block …but just out. Scott found in his room a stuffed animal monkey that was big enough to rest on his back, but had arms long enough to wrap around his neck. Perfect.

It was the most memorable moment of the evening. At the banquet Mark Lowe brought Scott up with the monkey on his back. Background information was given on the award and then Jon Carne was introduced. After replaying the final point for the audience, Mark removed the monkey from Scott's back and placed it on Jon's back. Jon left Hume that summer with the monkey, and a full year to think about his last hit.

The following year Jon's team came back and won the 1995 Tourney, and ironically the monkey was ceremoniously passed onto its founder Mark Lowe. You're probably wondering how the '95 Finals ended. Mark set Scott a back 5. However, it was 4 ft. past the antennae and tight. A "no chance" set. Mark and the monkey enjoyed a memorable year together. The finals have had some interesting finishes over the years, and the passing of the "Monkey On Your Back Award" has become a tradition we look forward to every year.

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2006 Award Winner: Jeff Steele

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2005 Award Winner:

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2004 Award Winner: Brian Waite

2003 Award Winner: Matt Levoe