NEW YORK - For his outstanding play in Columbia's homecoming game vs. Dartmouth, senior linebacker Mike Waller was named the John Toner Homecoming Player of the Game.

Waller was a force on defense, recording 12 solo tackles and nabbing an interception that helped keep Dartmouth scoreless in the first quarter.

The John Toner Columbia Homecoming Player of the Game award is presented annually to the Columbia Football player judged to be the most outstanding performer in Columbia's annual homecoming game.

A former assistant coach under Aldo "Buff" Donelli, Toner was a part of the coaching staff that guided Columbia to the Ivy League Championship in football in 1961.

Toner became head football coach at the University of Connecticut and was later the athletics director there.  He served as president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 1980-81, and went on to serve as president of the NCAA from 1983-85. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. 

It is because of his dedication and contributions to the sport of college football as a coach, athletics director and NCAA executive that Columbia Athletics is proud to present the John Toner Columbia Football Homecoming Player of the Game award.