The annual SLUspy Awards were held Wednesday, May 5, to celebrate Billiken student-athletes who excelled this past year in the department's strategic objectives of education, competition and building community.
 
The event, produced and hosted by members of the SLU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), was held virtually via zoom. You can watch the event by clicking here.
 
Below is a list of the awards bestowed.
 
Highest Team GPA – Softball
Team with the highest GPA during the fall 2020 semester as determined by Billiken Student-Athlete Academic Support Services.
 
Top Male Academic Performance – Janssen Gamilla (Swimming and Diving)
Junior or senior male student-athlete with the highest GPA with at least four semesters completed at SLU as determined by Billiken Student-Athlete Academic Support Services.
 
Top Female Academic Performance – Elli Brunts (Soccer)
Junior or senior female student-athlete with the highest GPA with at least four semesters completed at SLU as determined by Billiken Student-Athlete Academic Support Services.
 
Outstanding Male Strength & Conditioning Student-Athlete – Brandon Courtney (Basketball)
The male student-athlete who exemplifies the highest levels of achievement in aspects of leadership, the ability to follow instruction, work ethic, winning attitude, and consistency as chosen by the Sports Performance staff.
 
Outstanding Female Strength & Conditioning Student-Athlete(s) – Grace Golembiewski (Field Hockey)
The female student-athlete who exemplifies the highest levels of achievement in aspects of leadership, the ability to follow instruction, work ethic, winning attitude, and consistency as chosen by the Sports Performance staff.
 
Team Community Service Award – Softball
Team with the most significant community service done as a team.
 
Team MVPs
As nominated by coaching staff, these student-athlete embody the mission of SLU Athletics through education, competition and community involvement.
 
Baseball | Cam Redding
Men's Basketball | Jordan Goodwin
Women's Basketball | Ciaja Harbison
Cheer | Julia Tillack
Men's Cross Country | Patrick Holbrook
Women's Cross Country | Megan Kress
Dance | Alexa Elfanbaum
Field Hockey | Kendyl Underwood
Men's Soccer | Chase Niece
Women's Soccer | Hannah Friedrich
Softball | The Senior Class (Alyssa Chavez, Sadie Wise, Kat Lane, Aubrey Hacke and Maria Connell)
Men's Swimming and Diving | Janssen Gamilla and T.J. Halliburton
Women's Swimming and Diving | Natalie Daniel and Emily Leonard
Men's Tennis | Ryota Fukushima
Women's Tennis | Elizabeth Mintusova
Men's Track and Field | Ethan Erusha
Women's Track and Field | Katie Wissing
Volleyball | Maya Taylor
 
Billiken of Distinction "Step UP!" Award – Sara Daniels (Volleyball)
A student-athletes who participated in several community service endeavors and substantially contributed to the athletic department. This person embodies the goals of the Step UP! Program – raises awareness of helping behaviors; increases motivation to help others; develops skills and confidence when responding to problems or concerns; and ensures the safety of self and others.
 
Billiken Spirit Award – Brionna Halverson (Soccer)
The student-athlete who employs a positive attitude at every practice, game, workout, etc. They may be the person you can always count on to make light of a tough situation. Additionally, this student-athlete uplifts not only their teammates, but also shows school spirit at the games, matches, meets, etc. of other student-athletes.
 
Staff Member of the Year Award – Mary Woods (Swimming and Diving)
Awarded to a staff member to recognize their support of the mission of Billiken athletics. The award honors staff members who are committed to the excellence of student-athlete performances.
 
Coach of the Year Award – Katie Shields (Soccer)
Awarded to a head coach who throughout the season best demonstrates the true spirit of Billiken Athletics. The award honors coaches who encourages their student-athletes to excel in the department's strategic objectives of education, competition and building community.
 
Boken Award – Alyssa Chavez (Softball) and Natalie Daniel (Swimming and Diving)
Awarded to the student-athlete who is the ultimate teammate and member of the athletics community. A person who is always positive and supportive, is friendly to student-athletes from all teams and brings a smile to other people more often than not. The Boken Award is in memory of Megan Boken, who we lost in August 2012, but whose spirit lives on in our department.