Academic Excellence Award
Honoring the top athletes with the highest cumulative GPAs.
Winners: JP Finnegan, Dhruv Mittal, Luana Veras, Weng Si Leong, Vivian Zhu, Taili Li, Hunter Duzen, Liam Fitzgerald, Savannah Arabe, Logan King, Taylor Humphreys, Elizabeth Flynn, Heidi Ulrickson, Roxanne Mayali, Yaya Zou, Eliana Hernandez, Gabrielle Shapiro
Coach of the Year
This prestigious recognition is given to a coach who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and success in their respective sport. Overall, the Coach of the Year award celebrates excellence in coaching and acknowledges the profound influence coaches have on their teams and the sport as a whole. It serves as a mark of distinction and is highly valued within the Sports Clubs community.
Winner: Derika Legg (Women's Rugby). Accepting the award are players Lina Luedi, Brittany Quezada-Sanchez, Sara Tsai.
Derika is the best coach you could ask for in a sport as crazy as rugby. She brings both her experience and her kindness to every practice. She is not only an excellent coach but also an incredibly supportive and understanding individual. From the beginning, she has been a pillar of support for our new player base. She empowers us all to play to our potential even when we don’t see it in ourselves."
Jeff Simon Memorial Award
Given to an athlete — or athletes — who is committed to their team, not only caring about its success in competition but also inspiring team unity.
Winner: Kayla Phillips (Gymnastics)
After being out of gymnastics for 10 years, she showed extreme dedication in returning to the sport. Kayla is one of our most committed members, showing up to every single practice, performance training, competition, and everything in between. She is always looking for ways to improve, whether it be learning new skills, perfecting old ones, or seeking to understand how she can be better.
Dustin Newall Award
Awarded to an athlete who personifies the ideals of a true athlete and the Sports Clubs community.
Winner: Emma Amakasu (Women's Water Polo)
Emma is the epitome of what it means to be a dedicated and uplifting teammate. Her passion for water polo is matched only by her unwavering support for those around her. ... She brings grace, empathy, and a joyful team spirit to everything she does, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere wherever she goes. She shows up to every practice, every game, and every event with consistency, energy, and a genuine desire to be involved. Emma is the kind of athlete every team hopes for—not just because of her skill, but because of the heart she brings to the sport."
Athlete of the Year
The Athlete of the Year award is a prestigious recognition given to an outstanding athlete who has demonstrated exceptional skill, achievement, and sportsmanship throughout the year. This award typically celebrates individuals who have excelled in their respective sports, showcasing not only athletic prowess but also dedication, perseverance, and a positive influence on the Sports Clubs community. Recipients of this award often serve as role models for aspiring athletes, embodying the values of commitment, excellence, and fair play.
Winner: Kaitlyn Fong (Gymnastics)
Despite several years out of the sport, she dedicated a lot of time into going to practices, Spanos training, and getting to know the team. She lifts up her teammates and trains hard, leading her to earn our club’s very first ever perfect 10.0 in history. At our annual Triton Coastal Classic, she earned a well-deserved perfect 10.0 on the Floor Exercise, with her own choreographed floor routine. Although rare, Kaitlyn's 10 was extremely well deserved."
Athlete of the Year
The Athlete of the Year award is a prestigious recognition given to an outstanding athlete who has demonstrated exceptional skill, achievement, and sportsmanship throughout the year. This award typically celebrates individuals who have excelled in their respective sports, showcasing not only athletic prowess but also dedication, perseverance, and a positive influence on the Sports Clubs community. Recipients of this award often serve as role models for aspiring athletes, embodying the values of commitment, excellence, and fair play.
Winner: Austin Ortel (Men's Lacrosse)
Austin's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the team’s culture and success, and his presence will be deeply missed. Austin’s accomplishments speak for themselves: He is a three-time All-American, four-time Academic All-American, four-time All-Conference selection, and a three-time Conference Offensive Player of the Year. His relentless energy, unwavering dedication, and selfless attitude have made him an incredible teammate and role model for everyone in the program."
Athlete of the Year
The Athlete of the Year award is a prestigious recognition given to an outstanding athlete who has demonstrated exceptional skill, achievement, and sportsmanship throughout the year. This award typically celebrates individuals who have excelled in their respective sports, showcasing not only athletic prowess but also dedication, perseverance, and a positive influence on the Sports Clubs community. Recipients of this award often serve as role models for aspiring athletes, embodying the values of commitment, excellence, and fair play.
Winner: Adrianna Walker (Women's Volleyball)
For those of you who don’t know Adrianna, she is the epitome of an outstanding leader and an even better person. She creates an inclusive space for everyone to enjoy volleyball, from current club members to newcomers to coaches. Without fail, Adri always shows up with a smile on her face even when things are hard. She is the first to encourage her teammates to push themselves during difficult situations and to have fun while playing."
Outstanding Leadership Award
This award recognizes a Sports Clubs officer (president, treasurer, or vice president) who has not only been a phenomenal leader for their team but has also been a successful administrator and created a healthy and positive environment and structure for their organization.
Winner: Aidan Gleason (Men's Water Polo)
Aidan goes above and beyond to make sure his team runs smoothly. ... He embodies an enthusiasm that is essential to being a sports club leader. At the leadership conference, Aidan shared a lot of great advice to other team leaders. MCWP is a very organized and successful team thanks to Aidan's hard work and strong communication skills."
Outstanding Leadership Award
This award recognizes a Sports Clubs officer (president, treasurer, or vice president) who has not only been a phenomenal leader for their team but has also been a successful administrator and created a healthy and positive environment and structure for their organization.
Winner: Mia Fava (Women's Soccer)
Mia was a great leader of the Women's team this year. Helping to integrate many of the team's new members with a core that had been developing over the past couple of years, she was able to bring everyone together and create a group that believed they were capable of making a series of big strides this year. Coupled with a new coach, she was able to establish a connection between the team and the coach, ultimately culminating in the team being crowned WCSA Playoff champions in early April."
Sports Clubs Outstanding Leadership Scholarship Award
This award recognizes an athlete who demonstrates outstanding academic, campus, and community leadership during their undergraduate years. Thank you to John Sundt and other generous donors.
Winner: Erin Swift (Swim Team)
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon an individual to honor their significant contributions and accomplishments over the course of their career or lifetime within the Sports Clubs program. It acknowledges sustained excellence, outstanding leadership, and profound impact in their field or profession.
Winner: Hector Sanchez (Men's Water Polo)
Alumni Engagement Award
This team fosters a culture of community not only amongst themselves but throughout years of tradition and alumni engagement. Their fundraising was the highest of all the Sports Club teams this year. Their alumni contributions reduced the financial impact on each student-athlete and allowed them to play the sport they love.
Winner: Women's Lacrosse
Community Service Award
This team went above and beyond in giving back to the community. Their community service hours were the highest of all the Sports Clubs teams this year. Their dedication to aiding the community embodies the values of the Sports Clubs program.
Winner: Womxn's Ultimate
One Team Award
This is an award given to a team that represents the essence of Sports Clubs. They aspire to unify this program, creating a stronger community and deeper friendships. This team goes out of its way to support other teams by cheering them on at games and making themselves available for friendship. They exemplify “30 Sports Clubs, ONE TEAM."
Winner: Swim Team
Athlete of the Year
The Athlete of the Year award is a prestigious recognition given to an outstanding athlete who has demonstrated exceptional skill, achievement, and sportsmanship throughout the year. This award typically celebrates individuals who have excelled in their respective titles, showcasing not only exceptional skill but also dedication, perseverance, and a positive influence on the UCSD Esports community. Recipients of this award often serve as role models for aspiring members, embodying the values of commitment, excellence, and fair play.
Winners: Alvin "AlvinChangRocks" Chang (League of Legends)
POG Champ Award
An individual whose outstanding leadership and commitment amplify and promote the growth of the Esports program.
Winner: Ashley “Kimie03” Omiya (Partnership Director & Esports Assistant)
Outstanding Leadership Award
This award recognizes a UCSD Esports Officer who has not only been a phenomenal leader for their team but has also been a successful administrator for the program.
Winner: Shawn "Zinnia" Duong (Overwatch 2)
Team of the Year
This is an award given to a team that represents the essence of UCSD Esports. They aspire to unify this program, creating a stronger community and deeper friendships. This team goes out of its way to support other teams and amplify the program to the greater campus community and beyond.
