PENN STATE HONORS T H E N I S S E N - E M E R Y A WA R D THE HIGHEST HONOR IN COLLEGIATE GYMNASTICS
The Nissen-Emery Award is the highest honor in collegiate gymnastics. Awarded in recognition of outstanding athletic achievement, academic excellence and sportsmanship, it is equivalent to college football’s Heisman Trophy. Presented annually to the top collegiate male senior gymnast in the U.S., the award was originally named the Nissen Award after George Nissen, a former NCAA Champion, for his contributions to the sport. In 1997, it was renamed the Nissen-Emery Award in honor of former Penn State gymnast Dr. Robert Emery for his support of the sport. Emery won the award in 1969. Penn State’s six recipients ranks first for the most in the award’s history. The first award was presented in 1966.
PENN STATE NISSEN-EMERY AWARD WINNERS 1967
Steve Cohen
1969
Bob Emery
1976
Gene Whelan
1987
Spider Maxwell
2007
Matt Cohen
2009
Casey Sandy
STEVE COHEN
SPIDER MAXWELL
32
BOB EMERY
MATT COHEN
PENN STATE 2012 • MEN’S GYMNASTICS
GENE WHELAN
CASEY SANDY