May 25, 2008

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Josh Cox, the speedy outfielder on the Yale baseball team, has been named the winner of the William Neely Mallory Award, the most prestigious athletic award given to a senior male at Yale. The award was presented at the May 25 Class Day ceremonies.

Cox, the first baseball player to receive the Mallory Award since Dan Thompson in 1996, returned from a tryout with the New York Mets at Shea Stadium yesterday to receive the award.

The award citation reads, "William Neely Mallory Award, given to the senior man who on the field of play and in life at Yale best represents the highest ideals of American sportsmanship and Yale tradition." Cox's inspirational play made him the perfect choice for the award named after the Yale Class of 1924 athlete.

Cox, a unanimous 2008 first-team All-Ivy League selection, led the Ivy League with a school-record 72 hits. He also had a school-record 191 at-bats, hit a career-high .377 and belted a career-best 14 doubles. The Bulldogs' leadoff hitter, he finished second in the league with 21 stolen bases. His 13 stolen bases in conference games were tops in the Ancient Eight. He was the only Yale player to start all 45 games, playing every game in center field for the second consecutive season.

Cox was an honorable mention 2007 All-Ivy choice. He was also recognized with a second team Academic All-District selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and ESPN The Magazine.

A highly touted recruit, Cox struggled defensively as an infielder his freshman year while getting just 38 at-bats. He found greener pastures beyond the dirt with a position change, and offensive success accompanied the transition. His average soared to .301 in 2006 and continued to rise each season. Cox was 2007 honorable mention All-Ivy and a second-team All-New England pick.

Cox's 109 runs, 185 hits and 62 stolen bases are all top 10 among Yale baseball career records.

A Gainsville, Fla., native, he was the Sunshine State's 2A Player of the Year in 2004 after hitting .600 and stealing 60 bases in just 35 games.