"The national champion University of Florida’s men’s basketball team received the first annual 2006 America’s Team Award on Thursday. Based on integrity, teamwork, sportsmanship and commitment to the community, the America’s Team Award honors American sports teams and their athletes in the achievement of overall excellence. "We are honored to recognize the Florida Gators this year with the America’s Team™ Award for 2006. This team plays hard and works hard," said Bryan Reichel, America’s Team president. "They deserve this honor because of their team commitment to excellence in both athletics and scholastics." The Gators finished the season 33-6, a school record, and propelled the team to become the first in the state of Florida to win a national title in Division I men's basketball. Florida opened the season with 17 straight wins and closed it by winning the final 11 games, taking the SEC Tournament title in addition to winning the NCAA title. Nice.....
Excuse me for looking at this award with a jaundiced eye, but it was given to Florida by a Minnesota air conditioning contractor who won a trademark suit over the term "America's Team" in 2003. I smell an apparel joint-marketing opportunity. 8)