2013-2014 BCI Awards: Biggest Story of the Year - Win for DK

The Boston College community has lost a pair of giants in 2014, both beloved men and true servants to BC - Dick Kelley, and Fr. William Neenan. Both will be long remembered by friends of BC. The loss of Dick Kelley, and the inspiration that his fight against ALS provided to the entire BC community, is our 2013-2014 story of the year.

Contributing to this yearlong story was the emotional response of BC's teams following the passing of DK. All teams wore DK patches on their jerseys for the rest of the season. No team seemed more inspired to perform for their departed #1 fan than Kelley's beloved basketball team when they took the court at Syracuse. For one night, the Eagles found inspiration on the basketball court that had been lacking all year. The win came just a day after the team and staff said goodbye to Dick Kelley, and his memory undoubtedly inspired them throughout the game.

As Sports Illustrated wrote during DK's fight with ALS:

"BC has been the passion of his life, an intense love affair that he has for this place and its mission and for the people here," said Chris Cameron, BC's director of media relations and a longtime friend of Kelley's. "And, you know, I guess I think he just tried to give back as much as he'd gotten from this place."

You're missed, DK.

The Final Vote

Remembering Dick Kelley/Win for DK - 4 votes
Andre Williams' Heisman campaign - 2 votes
Steve Addazio revitalizes BC football recruiting - 2 votes

Comments from the Panel

"Win for DK... For all the times that BC heard about how they were the worst team ever, for all they'd hear about a 1% chance of beating #1 Syracuse, this meant everything. It's something out of a movie that can move you to tears. Your mentor and a school establishment unto himself passes away from a truly insidious disease, and you go out and win it for him. It's so emotional, it becomes something that will live on in BC lore forever." - Dan Rubin

"Andre Williams' legitimate Heisman Chase, out of absolutely nowhere, gripped the fan base unlike anything since Matt Ryan's last season." - Grant Salzano

Next Up:

Most Disliked Opponent of the Year - 3 PM

Awardees and Schedule

Monday, July 21

-Best Female Athlete - McKenzie Meehan, Women's Soccer

Tuesday, July 22

-Best Male Athlete - Andre Williams, Football
-Best Individual Performance in a Game - Andre Williams vs. NC State

Wednesday, July 23

-Coach of the Year - Steve Addazio, Football
-Team of the Year - Men's Hockey

Thursday, July 24

-Best Moment of the Year - BC Football Senior Day vs. NC State
-Worst Moment of the Year - BC Football's Last-Second Loss at Syracuse

Friday, July 25

-Play of the Year - Ryan Fitzgerald's Goal vs. UML 
-BCI Post of the Year - Super Andre Williams

Monday, July 28

-Biggest Story of the Year - Win for D.K.
-Most Disliked Opponent of the Year

Tuesday, July 29

-Game of the Year (football)
-Game of the Year (men's hockey)

Wednesday, July 30

-Game of the Year (men's basketball)
-Game of the Year (all other sports)