Bowers, a 26 year-old senior fullback from West Middlesex, PA, capped off a year in which the "elder statesmen" in the college game were honored with national recognition. Bowers was unable to attend the banquet because of a commitment to play in the Hula Bowl, only the seventh time a Division III player has been extended such an honor. Bill Jordan, an assistant coach at Grove City, accepted the award on his behalf.

A 1998 Melberger finalist as well, Bowers had a remarkable season that capped off an unbelievable career. During the 2000 season, Bowers rushed for 1,733 yards on 352 carries for 19 touchdowns. He ends his career owning eight all-division career records - rushing (7,353 yards), total 200-yard games (16), total 100-yard games (35), consecutive 100-yard games (32), points (562), touchdowns (92), rushing touchdowns (91) and points-per-game (14.1). A former professional baseball player for six years, including five in the Houston Astros system, he also participated this December in the Blue-Gray All-Star game where he caught three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown.

For the third straight season, Bowers was named to the Associated Press Little All-America Team and was placed on the American Football Coaches Association's Division III All-America Team for the second consecutive year. He won the Presidents' Athletic Conference MVP for the third year in a row and was named ECAC Division III Southwest Player of the Year for the third consecutive season.

The other finalists were senior quarterback Chad Johnson of Pacific Lutheran University (WA) and senior running back Damon Saxon from King's College (PA).

The three finalists were selected by a national media panel of 69 sports writers. The Club received 76 nominations from Division III coaches and sports information directors. Mark Duda, head coach of Lackawanna Junior College and a former NFL star, was the featured speaker.

"R.J. is an outstanding running back and football player," said club president Marvin Antinnes. "He has attended the last two banquets, once as a finalist and once as his Conference's MVP. We are sorry he couldn't be with us today but certainly understand the opportunity that playing in the Hula Bowl provides him. His statistics and his leadership both on and off the field are most impressive."

The Downtown Wilkes-Barre Touchdown Club also presented the John J. Chwalek NCAA National Championship Trophy to Mount Union College (OH). The trophy is sponsored by PNC Bank. Assistant Coach Jeff Wojtowicz accepted the award on behalf of head coach Larry Kehres. The Purple Raiders entered the playoffs as the #1 seed after capturing their ninth consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference Championship. The Raiders, who ended the year with a perfect 14 - 0 mark, never trailed in the fourth quarter all season but were pushed to the limit by Saint John's (MN) in the national title Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl before winning 10 - 7. In the end, Mount Union captured an unprecedented fifth Division III National Championship ('93, '96, '97, '98 and '00) and its 68th victory in the last 69 games played.

Continuing the recognition they started at their first awards banquet in 1991, the Club presented the Middle Atlantic Conference Most Valuable Player Award to Mike Granato from Widener University; Offensive Player of the Year to Damon Saxon, King's College; Offensive Lineman of the Year to Randy Zook, Susquehanna University; Defensive Player of the Year to Sean Graf, Lycoming College; Defensive Lineman of the Year to Mark Seagreaves, Lycoming College; and Coach of the Year to Bill Zwaan, Widener University.

The Club also recognized the Presidents' Athletic Conference award winners - Coach of the Year John Banaszak of Washington and Jefferson College and Most Valuable Player, R. J. Bowers.

For the Centennial Football Conference, Jamie Harris, Western Maryland College and Joshua Carter, Muhlenberg College share the title of Offensive Player of the Year and Aaron Bartolain, Western Maryland College, received the Defensive Player of the Year.