HUNTINGTON -- Former football player Vinny Curry and current softball player Andi Williamson were recipients of 2011-12 Marshall University Student-Athlete of the Year awards.

Curry, who now plays in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, received the male award named in memory of longtime coach and administrator Ed Starling. Williamson received the female award named for Dot Hicks, a pioneer of Marshall women's sports.

The winners were introduced last weekend at halftime of a men's basketball game in Cam Henderson Center.

Curry was named to six All-American teams in 2011 and was selected as the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. He finished in the top five in the nation for forced fumbles and tackles for loss while tying for sixth in the nation in sacks with 11.

The Neptune, N.J., native was a freshman academic non-qualifier who turned into a success story while championing the school's H.E.L.P. program that assists students with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or other problems that make a traditional academic setting difficult.

Williamson, now a senior pitcher, racked up a school-record 25 wins last season with a 1.50 ERA and 268 strikeouts, two shy of the Herd record. She pitched a no-hitter Saturday.

The Harts, W.Va., native and daughter of former Marshall men's basketball player Andy Paul Williamson was an All-CUSA second team selection, made the C-USA all-tournament team and was an NFCA Mideast All-Region pick.

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