EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE's Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) celebrated the 2023-24 athletic year with the Cougar Choice Awards on Monday, April 16 at First Community Arena. Student-athletes Margaux Guibal Britt of women's tennis and Danielle Shuey of softball served as emcees for the event.
SIUE Athletics would like to thank corporate sponsor, Texas Roadhouse, for providing dinner for more than 300 student-athletes and staff in attendance.
Highlight of the Year: Bronze Boot Win Over SLU (men's soccer)
The Highlight of the Year Award is presented to a student-athlete who delivered a clutch play, game changing moment, or outstanding performance that results in the #1 standout moment of the year in SIUE athletics.
Newcomer of the Year: Stephan Moreira (men's Soccer) and Taylor Babb (women's soccer)
The Newcomer of the Year award is presented to one female student-athlete and male student-athlete. These athletes are in their first year of competition at SIUE and have had the most profound impact on their team. Any freshman, red-shirt freshman or transfer student competing for the first year as a Cougar is eligible for this award.
For the Love of the Game: Alsadiq Hasan (men's soccer)
This award is given to a student-athlete who works hard, competes, and makes a significant contribution to his or her team because they truly have a love of the sport. These student-athletes show passion for their sport daily and consistently give their all for the love of the game.
Courage Award: Grace Lueke (softball)
The Courage Award was created to honor a student athlete or group that has demonstrated heart and perseverance in the face of a challenge. Nominees for this award display athletic excellence, perseverance, determination, and a will to succeed regardless of the challenges and obstacles that they may face.
Cougar Excellence: Jill Lambrechts (tennis) and Luke Ludwig (golf)
The Cougar Excellence Award was developed in 2004 by Deputy Athletic Director Jaci DeClue, to recognize a student-athlete from both the men's and women's teams with the highest-grade point average that are completing their eligibility and have competed as a SIUE Cougar for at least 3 years.
OVC Scholar Athlete: Matea Diekema (women's soccer)
The OVC Scholar-Athlete Award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes from the 11 OVC member institutions for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities.
Cougar Cadre: Nacho Abeal Pou (men's soccer) and Jenna Taphorn (volleyball)
The Cougar Cadre Award was developed by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to recognize student-athletes who demonstrate leadership, sportsmanship, and commitment to academics, athletics, and the community. The Cougar Cadre nominees from each team must have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and must have competed at least 1 year at SIUE. These individuals were nominated by their teammates, and then voted on by Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Comeback Player of the Year: Savannah DeFini (women's soccer)
The comeback player of the year honors a student athlete who has demonstrated perseverance in the face of overcoming hardship. It is given to the student-athlete who shows perseverance in overcoming adversity from not being able to play the previous season, such as an injury, or for playing well in comparison to the previous year's performance with a good attitude and has had a positive impact on his or her team.
Cougar Cup: Track and Field/Cross Country
The Cougar Cup was established 13 years ago and is dedicated to the team that best exemplified the four pillars of the student-athlete experience: supporting fellow student-athletes, excellence in the classroom, leadership, and community service. The team with the most overall points will be the guardians of the trophy for the upcoming year. Yet again, it was a spirited competition with teams battling to the end.
Athletes of the Year: Sam Gomez (men's soccer) and Paige Rocha (softball)
The Athlete of the Year award is presented to a student-athlete, from both the men's and a women's teams, who consistently performs at a high level and leads their team to success. In other words, these are your MVPs of SIUE Cougar Athletics.
Coach of the Year: Cale Wassermann (men's soccer)
The coach of the year honors one SIUE coach on their successes. This includes wins and accomplishments along with noticeably excelling at their position. Showing department support and active community involvement are big pieces of this award, as well.
Staff Member of the Year: James Mays (athletic training)
The Staff member of the Year award is presented to one SIUE Athletics staff member that goes above and beyond in their job. Nominees of this award show great support for all aspects of Cougar Athletics and have made significant contributions to SIUE's success over the past year. This award highlights an employee's exceptional performance, leadership, work-ethic and innovation.
OVC Community Service Award: Jenna Taphorn (volleyball)
This award honors outstanding student-athletes for the contributions they make away from the playing surface, both on campus and in the community. The impact they've made in the community, and on our campus does not go unnoticed.
Cougar CORE Appreciation: Red Storm
Appreciation is one of the values of the Cougar Core. This award is aimed to recognize and to show appreciation from SIUE Athletics to a person or a group outside of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff that has positively impacted our department. This could be awarded to someone behind the scenes, that many of us might not see but impact our success.
