U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Awards Honor More than 500 Student-Athletes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Athletic Department honored on Tuesday (May 12) varsity student-athletes who have distinguished themselves as leaders both in the classroom and community.

More than 500 student-athletes were recognized with U-M Athletic Academic Achievement awards for cumulative grade-point averages and achievements during the 2019 winter, spring and fall semesters.

Additional individual and team awards were bestowed, honoring the achievements of student-athletes in academics, competition, leadership and community service:

Bates/Deskins Award: Awarded annually by the university to a junior student-athlete who excels both academically and athletically. It is named in honor of Percy Bates, U-M professor emeritus of education, and Donald Deskins, U-M professor emeritus of urban geography and sociology. Both showed a strong commitment to the success of our student-athletes both in and out of competition.
» Junior Joel Harrison (men's soccer)

Sophomore Leader & Best Award: Given to the top sophomore student-athlete who demonstrates Michigan's Leaders and Best qualities both academically and athletically.
» Sophomore Kevin Buca (men's soccer)

Rookie of the Year: Awarded to the top freshman student-athlete who has excelled both academically and athletically.
» Freshmen Sierra Brooks (women's gymnastics) and Franz Wagner (men's basketball)

Raeder's Raiders Spirit Award: Named in honor of the Raeder Family, this award has been presented annually since 2006 by the Letterwinners M Club to a student-athlete who positively impacts the team coming off the bench.
» Senior Max Wagner (men's track & field)

Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients: Awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from each of the Big Ten institutions who plan to continue their education in a graduate degree program.
» Senior Tommy Cope (men's swimming & diving) and senior Erika Yasuda (rowing)

Let's Go Do Awards

Let's Go Do honors individual student-athletes for their varying commitments to community service and engagement in the areas of Education, Health & Wellness, Civic Engagement and the Rachael Townsend Leadership Award.

Education: Built on the vision that education serves as a keystone in improving society and creating better futures for all, this award recognizes a student-athlete who values learning and supporting others in their pursuit of knowledge and works throughout the academic year to drastically impact a school (or education system).
» Senior Roland Amarteifio (men's track and field)

Health & Wellness: Through prevention, promotion, and/or support, this award recognizes the student-athlete that values engaging in a lifelong healthy lifestyle that allows people to reach their fullest potential. This student-athlete works throughout the academic year to advocate for or enhance physical, mental, emotional, and/or nutritional health.
» Senior Giulia Pairone (women's tennis)

Civic Engagement: For the student-athlete that cares about addressing issues of public concern, valuing the promotion of the quality of life in a community through service and advocacy. This award is presented to a student-athlete that has invested considerable time in the cause of their choice with purpose, accountability and determination.
» Junior Lauren Farley (women's gymnastics)

Rachael Townsend Leadership Award: Seeking to honor an individual student-athlete that has made significant contributions to their community, this award is given to an inspirational leader inside and outside of the locker room, encouraging their peers and teammates to serve. This student-athlete has led others through existing initiatives or developed an idea/program through to completion.
» Graduate Student Peter Hollen (men's lacrosse)