2020 JAXPYS Awards Central

Welcome to the landing page for everything related to our annual celebration of the student-athletes at Jacksonville University, the JAXPYS!

AD AWARD - Madison Boyer (Women's Rowing)

In culmination of the JAXPYS, The Athletics Director Award is presented to the senior student-athlete who has a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA. This honoree exemplifies what it means to be a Jacksonville University student-athlete. Through their work ethic and positive attitude, this prestigious award is earned by the student-athlete who has demonstrated a successful academic, athletic, social, and professional image throughout their tenure at Jacksonville University. In receiving the program's highest honor, the student-athlete encompasses not only the requirements set forth by the aforementioned awards, but also profoundly represents the entire athletic body across the Jacksonville University campus. The AD Award is handpicked by Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert.

Previous winners: Angel Camacho - Baseball (2019), Hunter Forbes - Men's Lacrosse (2018), Hannah Wilcox - Women's Lacrosse (2017), Kree Clark - Track & Field (2016), Sammie Strausbaugh - Volleyball (2015)

DEBBIE AND FRED PRUITT STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD - Jenny Kinsey (Women's Lacrosse) + Evan Tyler (Men's Lacrosse)

Presented to the most outstanding male and female student-athlete at Jacksonville University. Recipients of this award have successfully demonstrated exceptional athletic ability, a team work mentality, coach-ability, sportsmanship, and have received recognition by their respective conference or organizations for athletic achievement. Due to their superior athletic abilities, the recipients of this award have increased the support and fan base of not only their programs, but also the Athletic Department as a whole.

Previous winners: Jasmyn Brown - Women's Basketball & Angel Camacho - Baseball (2019), Ashtyn Hiron - Women's Lacrosse & Raul Perada - Men's Golf (2018), Sherranda Reddick - Women's Basketball & David Wicks - Men's Golf (2017), Danielle Della Rocca - Women's Lacrosse & Kri Babineaux - Men's Basketball (2016), Britt Orashen - Women's Lacrosse & Andrew Robustelli - Football (2015)

BRADY AWARD - David Disbrow (Men's Rowing) & Jaci Hodskins (Softball)

Named in honor of former University President Dr. James Brady, the Brady Award is presented to JU Athletics' student-athlete leaders of the year who have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA to date. The award is presented to the male and female student-athlete that goes above and beyond in all areas of competition, demonstrates a successful balance between academic achievement, student organization and intercollegiate athletic participation. The recipients of this award consistently demonstrate outstanding leadership by example throughout their development as a Jacksonville student-athlete.

Previous winners: Juan Sebastian Ramirez - Men's Soccer & Hannah Berman - Women's Golf (2019), Liam O'Connor - Men's Soccer & Kayla Gordon - Women's Basketball (2018), Jack Burns - Men's Soccer & Nicole Luis - Cheer (2017), Trey Barnes - Football & Victoria Brown - Softball (2016), Jack Burns - Men's Soccer & Jessica Welch - Women's Golf (2015)

NELLIE AWARD - Juan Sebastian Ramirez (Men's Soccer) & Sarah Frasier (Women's Rowing)

A version of the traditional "Unsung Hero" award, with a "phin-like" spin. Presented to a male and female student-athlete who in some unique and significant way contributed to his or her team or the Jacksonville University community as a whole. It is broad in its reach and by design meant to recognize those not usually recognized through traditional awards criteria. The recipients must have contributed behind the scenes with their skill, time, and effort towards furthering the vision, mission and strategy of Jacksonville Athletics and their respective teams.

Previous winners: Nic Duch - Football & Bonnie Wohlgemuth - Cheer (2019), Eji Mrabure - Men's Soccer & Noelle Parker - Track & Field (2018), Omar El Manasterly - Men's Basketball & Ciara Jones - Softball (2017), Chris Nichols - Men's Rowing & Sable Lee - Softball (2016), Charlie Archer - Men's Lacrosse & Julia Burton - Women's Soccer (2015)

NEW FIN AWARD - Maia Samuelsson (Women's Golf) & Mo Arnold (Men's Basketball)

The "Rookie of the Year Award". The recipients of this award have shown exemplary progress and success during their first year. This award is presented to first year student-athletes (freshmen and transfers) who have excelled academically and athletically while in their first year as a Dolphin.

Previous winners: Caroline Wells - Women's Rowing & Tyreese Davis - Men's Basketball (2019), Hannah Roberts - Softball & JD Notae - Men's Basketball (2018), Mallory Mattingly - Volleyball & Tommy Barnhorst - Men's Lacrosse (2017), Jacqueline Baldwin - Track & Field & David Wicks - Men's Golf (2016), Kayla Gordon - Women's Basketball & Michael Baumann - Baseball (2015)

DOLPHIN C.U.R.E. AWARD- Men's Soccer

The C.U.R.E Award is presented to the team that not only believes in but thoroughly represents what it means to be of service to all mankind. With a focus on community uplift through research & education, this philanthropic award is given to the team who best represents Jacksonville University Athletics in the community.

Previous winners: Women's Lacrosse (2019), Women's Lacrosse (2018), Women's Lacrosse (2017), Softball (2016), Women's Basketball (2015)

JOHN SESSIONS SPIRIT AWARD - Women's Rowing

The John Sessions Spirit Award symbolizes everything that Mr. Sessions stood for in life. This award is given to the JU Athletics team that most exemplifies what it means to be team players. Through their support of other athletic related events (i.e. various competitions) and overall team morale on campus, this award is presented to the team that continues to inspire the Athletic Department as a whole. This inspiration may come in the form of unwavering school spirit, the team's ability to overcome adversity, and overall work ethic and commitment to the 20 sports, 1 team, and 1 goal of the JU Athletics Department.

Previous winners: Women's Soccer (2019), Volleyball (2018), Women's Rowing (2017), Men's Rowing (2016), Women's Lacrosse (2015)

D.B. MILNE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD - Women's Lacrosse

The Douglas B. Milne Award symbolizes the highest standard of sportsmanship. The award is presented to the JU Athletics team who has demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and sportsmanship. Each year's recipient will exemplify true sportsmanship as they consistently do it the right way and give their all for the love of the game!

Previous winners: Women's Lacrosse (2019), Women's Golf (2018), Women's Lacrosse (2017), Women's Basketball (2016), Track & Field (2015)

IRON FIN AWARD - Morgan Dees (Beach Volleyball) + Vasco Sanders (Football)

Awarded to a male and female student-athlete who have exemplified hard work, perseverance, and the ability to raise the bar in the weight room. Nominations for this award come directly from the Strength and Conditioning Department.

Previous winners: Brandon Dudley - Baseball & Mallory Mattingly - Volleyball (2019), Crandall Maines - Football & Noelle Parker - Track & Field (2018), Casey Kulina - Baseball & Danielle Baker - Softball (2017), Jamal Adjamah - Football & Hannah Wilcox - Women's Lacrosse (2016)

OUTSTANDING TEAM GPA AWARD: OVER 20 MEMBERS - Women's Lacrosse 3.56 GPA

A recognition of the team with over 20 student-athletes that compiled the best team GPA over the 2018-19 school year.

Previous winners: Women's Soccer (2019), Women's Soccer (2018)

OUTSTANDING TEAM GPA AWARD: UNDER 20 MEMBERS - Beach Volleyball 3.829 GPA

A recognition of the team with under 20 student-athletes that compiled the best team GPA over the 2018-19 school year.

Previous winners: Women's Golf (2019), Women's Golf (2018), Men's & Women's Golf (2017)*, Men's & Women's Golf (2016)*, Baseball  & Volleyball (2015)*

*Prior to 2018, there was no team size delineation, the award was handed out to one male and one female team

TEAM'S CHOICE AWARD - Sade Meeks, Track & Field

Nominated by SAAC representatives and selected by the committee based of the responses of the following question: "How does this student-athlete embody the Jacksonville University Athletic Department's Core Values". The five core values are: Be Original, Foster Growth, Put Others First, Exceed Expectations, A Part of the Whole.

Previous winners: Reagan Wright - Baseball (2019)

HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR - Jason Cottingham - Men's Rowing

A recognition of a head coach who has gone above and beyond to not only represent their team to the utmost of their abilities, but to also further the mission of Jacksonville University athletics as a whole.

Previous winners: Ron Grigg - Cross Country/Track & Field (2019)

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR - Kaitlan Aries, Strength & Conditioning

A recognition of an assistant coach who has gone above and beyond to to elevate the student-athletes they work with, as voted on by the student-athletes.

Previous winners: Erin Neuenfeldt - Volleyball (2019)

WIN THE DAY HONOR - Paula Trejo Lerdo, Women's Golf

An annual recognition of a student-athlete that has gone through major hardship over the course of the last school year, and has overcome to continue to excel both athletically and academically.

Previous honorees: Emily Myslinski - Track & Field (2019), Jody Julmice - Women's Lacrosse (2018)

HOME TEAM AWARD - Laura Phelps, Senior Director of Public and Media Relations

An annual recognition of a non-athletics employee at Jacksonville University who has gone above and beyond to further the mission of athletics and better the experience of the student-athletes over the course of the school year.

Previous winners: Adam Poling - Aramark Food Services (2019), Carolyn Barrett - Registrar (2018), Dr. Kristie Gover - Dean of Students (2017), E'Lisa Green - Human Resources (2016), Ms. Denise - Aramark (2015)