The most recent men's basketball player to receive the award was Antawn Jamison in 1997-98. Florance is the eighth women's soccer recipient.
The Patterson Medal is based mainly on athletic accomplishment, although sportsmanship and leadership also are considered. The selection is made by a committee of athletic officials, faculty members and student representatives. The award was first given by Dr. Joseph Patterson in memory of his brother, John Durand Patterson. It since has been continued by the Patterson family. In recent years, the Patterson family decided to give two awards each year -- one to the school's top male senior athlete and the other to the top female performer.
Florance won the Honda Award as the National Soccer Player of the Year in 2000 when she led the Tar Heels to the NCAA championship. The Dallas native scored five game-winning goals as a senior, including NCAA Tournament wins against Connecticut and Virginia.
Florance's biggest career goal might have been the goal with which she tied the NCAA championship game against UCLA. Florance tied the game at 1-1 with 15 minutes to play and the Tar Heels went on to win, 2-1, for their 17th national title.
"Obviously our coaching staff is excited for Meredith," said UNC women's soccer head coach Anson Dorrance. "We are very proud of Meredith. She had a remarkable senior year when she did everything we dreamed she could do, leading us in scoring and leading an unlikely team to the national championship. We are indebted to her and her legacy for being such an incredible performer through a difficult but joyous season."
Haywood earned second-team All-America honors from The Sporting News as a senior. The Greensboro resident was a second-team All-ACC selection and was a member of the ACC's All-Defensive Team. He holds Carolina career records for blocked shots (304) and field goal percentage (.638). He is the only player in ACC history to hold school records for blocks and field goal percentage.
A three-year starter at center, Haywood was a member of four NCAA Tournament teams and led the Tar Heels to the 2000 Final Four in Indianapolis. Haywood led the eighth-seeded Tar Heels to wins against Missouri, Stanford, Tennessee and Tulsa en route to the NCAA South Region title.
As a senior, Haywood recorded the first triple-double in UNC history when he had 18 points, 14 rebounds and a school-record 10 blocked shots against Miami (Fla.). He also scored the game-winning basket in a 71-70 win over fourth-ranked Wake Forest and hit the game-winning free throws with 1.2 seconds to play in the 85-83 win at second-ranked Duke. He averaged 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds as a senior and finished his career by averaging 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
"Brendan had a record-setting playing career on both ends of the court, but more important, he earned his degree and was an outstanding leader," said UNC men's basketball head coach Matt Doherty. "He was our best defensive player and the primary reason we were able to hold the opponents to such a low shooting percentage. I'm glad I had the opportunity to coach him and look forward to watching his progress in the NBA."
