Jason Hamilton, a mainstay of Washington Men’s Basketball for three decades, and Kerry Sawyer Odeman, whose Toyota of Puyallup helped found the Dawg Dealer program, have received two of UW Athletics’ highest honors.
A Renton native who played for the UW from 1994 to 1996 and graduated in 1997, Jason Hamilton earned the Dave and Ruth Cohn Alumni Merit Award. The honor was established in 1988 to recognize a former letterwinner who exemplifies integrity, leadership, sportsmanship and community involvement paralleling UW Athletics’ core values.
Jason served as an assistant coach for the Huskies from 1997 to 2000, helping lead his alma mater to its first NCAA berth since 1986 and first Sweet 16 since 1984. He then turned to a different courtside gig. For nearly 25 years, he has provided radio color commentary, first with legendary play-by-play announcer Bob Rondeau and most recently with Tony Castricone.
In addition to his broadcasting role, Jason is a mentor to Husky Men’s Basketball players and to other UW student-athletes through the Boundless Futures program. The Big W Club member also serves on the Tyee Board of Advisors.
Kerry Sawyer Odeman, a UW alum (’88) and long-time Tyee Club donor, was honored with the Frank Orrico Award. The award was established in 1994 to recognize Tyee members who represent extraordinary dignity, courage, commitment and generosity to UW Athletics.
The former Tyee Board of Advisors chairwoman has a long history of philanthropy, including a Game Changer level gift to The Go BIG! Fund to support all UW student-athletes and an endowed scholarship for Husky Football.
After taking the reins of Toyota of Puyallup when her father and company founder Glenn Sawyer passed away, she has proudly continued the car dealership’s participation in the Dawg Dealer program. As one of the original founding members of the program — which donates cars to Husky coaches and staff — she has continued this family tradition for over 50 years.
Kerry and her family are also long-time Husky Football season ticket holders, going on 57 years!
View the full list of past Dave and Ruth Cohn Alumni Merit Award and Frank Orrico Award winners.
