The Hastings College 2006 Bronco defense received the 2007 Tom McLaughlin Award, Saturday, Sept. 29, prior to the Homecoming football game.

 Those who receive the Tom McLaughlin Award are the Most Valuable Player or Players from the previous year’s Homecoming game. 

 Last year, the Broncos defeated Briar Cliff University, 28-3. The defense held the Chargers to minus 12 yards rushing and 111 yards passing (8 completions of 27 attempts) for 99 yards of total offense.  The defense also had three sacks, intercepted four passes and recovered two Briar Cliff fumbles. 

Accepting the award was senior defensive back Matt Hilderbrand and junior defensive lineman Brian Trader.  Both are team captains this year, and were starters on the 2006 Bronco defense. 

Hilderbrand, from Gothenburg, Neb., is the son of Mike and Connie Hilderbrand.  Trader, from Hastings, Neb., is the son of Mike and Kris Trader. 

Paul Mierkiewicz, Hastings College head football coach, and Fran Hummel, director of athletics, presented the award. 

“Tiger” Tom McLaughlin’s coaching career at Hastings College spanned 15 years.  He was hired in 1949 as director of athletics, head football, basketball, and track coach, and was assistant professor of physical education. McLaughlin’s football coaching record was 71-40-8 from 1949 to 1962.  His 1954 team won the conference championship.  A native of Hastings, Neb., McLaughlin graduated from Hastings High School in 1930 and Hastings College in 1934.  In 1989, he was posthumously inducted into the Hastings College Athletic Hall of Fame.
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