Student-Athlete of the Year Award

Each year the Department of Athletics names a male and female athlete of the year.

The Male Student-Athlete of the Year

The male student-athlete of the year award is named after Larry E. Spaulding, a young man who lost his life in the Vietnam War in 1969. He was skillful athlete, a loyal and dedicated competitor and to quote his coach, “a thoroughly nice likeable fellow.”

Past Winners

The Female Student-Athlete of the Year

Past Winners

Nominee’s for these awards must be selected from the post-season award winners from each sport. At the end of each sport season, teams vote winners for the following awards.

Most Valuable Player – “Most valuable player: the man or woman judged to be the outstanding player in a sport during a particular season.”

Lion’s Award – “This award recognizes individuals on their team who promote the values of sportsmanship, ethical play in competition, commitment to their team, and charity through service to their community.”

Coaches Award – “Given annually by the coach to their athlete who best demonstrates, throughout the season, the true spirit of Lion’s Athletics. It is an award in which the means justify the end. It is given not only for hard work and personal improvement, but for a willingness to understand, to learn, to enter into a partnership with coach and teammates in an effort to recognize one's full potential. The recipient of this award has participated in the struggle, each and every day, and in the end found over his own limitations.”