The month of March brings the advent of a new season — not only in nature, but also to the devotees of college basketball. It’s a new season full of drama and excitement. It’s also the Academy Awards season. In honor of the Oscars, I have compiled a list of awards that reflect events in the world of sports during this Oscar season. Without further ado, on behalf of the Badger Herald, I present the academy awards for athletics.

Best Supporting Actor — Kobe Bryant, “The Lake Show:” As long as the Big Fella is around, it’s still Shaq’s movie, but boy has Kobe stolen the show this season. His performance during the wonderful month of February brought his team out of the cellar. Kobe appeared so commanding that at times he looked as if he had written, directed and starred in his own feature. In order not to let it go to his head, Kobe must remember that if he wants to win the big one, he can’t ham it up all by himself, because Shaq still carries the “Lake Show.”

Best Screenwriting — Terrell Owens, “Scribes Like Us:” When Terrell Owens catches a touchdown pass, it isn’t exactly a fresh story. However, when Owens defied custom by pulling a Sharpie out of his sock, signing the ball, and tossing it to a friend of his, he wrote a new standard in the conventions of the end zone celebration. Owens created a very controversial story, with slick ingenuities and a nice twist. His efforts won’t go unnoticed by the Academy.

Best Art Direction — Mike Tyson, “Tattoo:” A prizefighter on the comeback trail, bound for the redemption he lost so many years ago. It’s a great story, but everyone was captivated by that darn tattoo. He handily defeated Clifford Etienne with a first round knockout after experts felt that the tat’ would prove to be a sore spot. The tattoo only added to Tyson’s mystique — that of a fallen champ surviving by his legacy and a vicious right hand.

Best Villain — Jim Harrick, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil:” A family organization full of lies and deceit finds Harrick its patriarch. He led the Bulldog team through the SEC conference and into the national rankings only to watch it fall out due to repeated dishonesty and rule bending on the part of Harrick and his son. Harrick was just right for the part, after his unsound leadership of UCLA. He fully exemplifies the flawed leader who everyone just loves to hate. His “honest” one-on-ones with Dickey V. will go down as his command performances.

Best Foreign Language Film — Yao Ming, “Coming to America:” Yao Ming is the Far East’s best import since “Ichiro” or “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” storming the country and overcoming an onslaught of experts who deemed him the second coming of Shawn Bradley. Yao not only proved his doubters wrong, but also went on to reach a level of American celebrity that only a few athletes can claim. An uplifting story with international messages of patience and education, Yao rose to glory in the opening minutes of his showdown with Shaq, a battle that foreshadows many sequels.

Best Directing — Jon Gruden, “Chucky XXXVII:” There’s always a lot of pressure on a director when he’s asked to put together the winning formula with a cast full of different egos, but the cast jumped behind Gruden, who made the Buccaneers sink like “Titanic” rather than “Waterworld.” Rice, Sapp, Keyshawn and Johnson followed Gruden’s determination to claim their rings, uniting together to win. There would be no losing in 2003. Gruden had the vision and talent to pull off a Superbowl rout with style.

Best Lead Actor — Kevin Garnett, “Feeling Minnesota:” KG’s years in Minnesota have been just short of a tragedy. He’s been the one constant beacon of strength in all the mess and misfortune that his Timberwolves have weathered. This season he’s pooled all of his emotions into one incredibly focused vat of championship fever. He’s a man on a mission, much like Travis Bickle in “Taxi Driver,” only not as depressing. His averages in scoring, rebounding and assists lead his team and are all the highest of his career. He might be determined enough to take the first round all by himself.