Charles Hood, right, receives the 40th Annual Blair Cherry Memorial Award in behalf of his son, Evander "Ziggy" Hood, from master of ceremonies Brice Edwards on Tuesday at Amarillo Country Club. The award recognizes a college football player from the Amarillo Independent School District. Ziggy Hood, a Palo Duro graduate, has concluded his career as a starting defensive lineman for Missouri. The American Business Club's Amarillo Palo Duro chapter sponsors the award.

Something happened Tuesday never before seen in Amarillo.

It was Evander "Ziggy" Hood Day, as read by Amarillo City Commissioner Brian Eades in a proclamation.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Hood was honored as the 40th recipient of the prestigious Blair Cherry Memorial Award during a luncheon sponsored by the American Business Club's Amarillo Palo Duro Chapter at Amarillo Country Club.

The award goes to the top college football player from the Amarillo Independent School District. Hood recently completed his career at Missouri as a starting defensive lineman.

Other nominees for the award were Abilene Christian redshirt freshman defensive lineman Nick Jones, a Tascosa grad, and West Texas A&M senior offensive tackle Dan Sherwood, an Amarillo High grad. Caprock did not have a representative.

Hood could not attend Tuesday's ceremony because he is in Atlanta preparing for the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine.

"This award brings great honor to my family," Hood said in a telephone conversation. "Just sitting there last year (during the ceremony), I was pleased just to be nominated. To have a day named after you back in Amarillo just makes it even more special."

Hood's success at Missouri has placed him in elite company as a possible NFL draft pick. The last AISD product selected in the NFL draft was Palo Duro grad William Thomas in 1991. Thomas won the Cherry Award in 1989 and '90.

"It's great to mentioned alongside William Thomas," Hood said.

Hood was praised Tuesday by Steve Parr, his coach at Palo Duro, for never forgetting his hometown and his dedication to excellence on the field and in the classroom.

"Ziggy has already graduated (with a degree in general agriculture)," Parr told those in attendance Tuesday. "He is a great example for this community and our students of how hard work pays off."

Charles Hood, Ziggy's father, received the Cherry Award and the Evander "Ziggy" Hood Day certificate in his son's behalf.

The elder Hood, who traveled primarily by car to almost every college game Ziggy played in, spoke emotionally of what a tremendous honor the Cherry Award is for his son, praising family, teachers and coaches.

"Ziggy wanted to be here really bad," Charles Hood said. "You know Ziggy. He doesn't take time off. He's a hard worker. I'm just proud of him because of who he is. He is a well-mannered kid. We never had any trouble out of him. He loves people and this community. He's just a wonderful kid. We give all the glory to God. I never thought there would be an Evander Hood Day in Amarillo."

Hood, a captain for the Tigers this season, totaled 61 tackles, including 31 solos and seven for losses, plus five sacks and 12 quarterback hurries.

Hood is the 11th Cherry Award winner from Palo Duro, and because he won it, the $500 Danny Lester Scholarship and $1,000 Putt Powell Memorial Scholarship will be presented to Palo Duro students.

The award honors the late Cherry, the only coach in Texas to win a high school state championship and a Southwest Conference championship. Cherry coached Amarillo High to an 84-5 record from 1930-36, winning state titles from 1934-936.

Cherry Award Winners

1969-70: Danny Lester, Tascosa and Texas; 1971: Dick Graham, Amarillo High and Oklahoma State; 1972: Bert Jacobson, Amarillo High and Oklahoma State; 1973: Richard Mason, Palo Duro and Baylor; 1974: Tim Black, Palo Duro and Baylor; 1975: Sears Woods, Amarillo High and North Texas; 1976: Rick Fenlaw, Amarillo High and Texas; 1977-78: James Mayberry, Tascosa and Colorado; 1979: Wesley Roberts, Palo Duro and Texas Christian; 1980: Bobby Stewart, Caprock and Texas Christian; 1981: Kris Hansen, Amarillo High and Abilene Christian; 1982: Jack Turner, Palo Duro and Eastern New Mexico; 1983: Buddy Link, Tascosa and Central (Okla.) State; 1984: Troy Smith, Palo Duro and Texas Tech; 1985: Ken Ozee, Palo Duro and Texas Christian; 1986: Steve Beggs, Caprock and Texas Christian; 1987: David Cox, Amarillo High and East Texas State; 1988: Chris McClure, Tascosa and Oklahoma Panhandle State; 1989-90: William Thomas, Palo Duro and Texas A&M; 1991: Oscar Shorten, Tascosa and Abilene Christian; 1992-93: John Brown, Palo Duro and Houston; 1994: Donald Shanklin, Palo Duro and Oregon State; 1995: Rick LaFavers, Amarillo High and Texas Christian; 1996: Derek Leinen, Tascosa and Oklahoma State; 1997: Detrick Johnson, Amarillo High and Abilene Christian; 1998: Jason Lary, Amarillo High and Baylor; 1999: Joe Gonzalez, Caprock and Northwestern Oklahoma; 2000: Travis Jones, Amarillo High and Hardin-Simmons; 2001: Brady Barrick, Amarillo High and Texas Christian; 2002: Eric Mims, Palo Duro and Eastern New Mexico; 2003: J Fields, Caprock and Baylor; 2004: Matt Epperson, Tascosa and Hardin-Simmons; 2005: Julius Crosslin, Palo Duro and Oklahoma State; 2006: Lee Orr, Amarillo High and West Texas A&M; 2007: Dale Davis, Amarillo High and West Texas A&M; 2008: Evander "Ziggy" Hood, Palo Duro and Missouri.