Colorado Mammoth forward Gary Gait was named today as the winner of the National Lacrosse League's fourth annual Sportsmanship Award.

Gait, who retired after Colorado's loss in the Western Division Semifinal, was chosen for his role as captain of the Mammoth and for his gentlemanly play, being whistled for just two penalties (both minors) all season.

Gait finished the season as Colorado's leading scorer, recording 33 goals and 48 assists for a total of 81 points. He ends his fifteen-year career as the NLL's alltime leader in goals (596) and points (1091).

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD:
2004   Gary Gait
       Colorado Mammoth
       Peter Lough
       Arizona Sting
2003   Chris Driscoll
       Toronto Rock
2002   Jim Veltman
       Toronto Rock

TOM BORELLI AWARD:
(None)

This is Gait's second straight Sportsmanship Award, NLL's answer to the National Hockey League's Lady Byng Trophy. Last year, though, he shared the honor with Arizona's Peter Lough.

The Sportsmanship Award is voted on by the governors, general manager and head coaches of the NLL's ten teams.

The league also named Mike Koreen as the first-ever recipient of the Tom Borelli Award as the Writer of the Year. Koreen, who covers the Toronto Rock and the NLL for the Toronto Sun, frequently gets the scoop on major NLL developments.

The winner of the Borelli Award, named for the longtime Buffalo News lacrosse writer, is selected by a vote of team executives and league media.

In addition, the league announced the following Team Executive Awards:

Ticket Sales: Jason Linscott, Colorado Mammoth
Marketing: John Maher, Minnesota Swarm
Team Operations: Yvonne Fox, Toronto Rock
Team Sponsorships: John Ellis, Colorado Mammoth
Public Relations: Bob Poole, Calgary Roughnecks
Equipment Manager: Al Tate, Calgary Roughnecks
Athletic Trainer: Dave Murray, Toronto Rock

Executives from the member clubs voted on the seven awards listed above, with league media also voting on Public Relations Executive of the Year.

Tomorrow, the NLL will announce the winner of the Sportsbook.com Defensive Player of the Year Award. Announcements will continue through next week, culminating in the selection of the Most Valuable Player on Thursday, 12 May.