U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Awards Honor 702 Student-Athletes

• Michigan Academic Awards and Honors | Community Outreach

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Athletic Department honored on Monday (July 18) varsity student-athletes who have distinguished themselves as leaders in both the classroom and community.

There were 702 student-athletes recognized with U-M Athletic Academic Achievement awards for cumulative grade-point averages and achievements during the 2021 winter, spring and fall semesters. Of those 702 honored, 157 student-athletes earned highest honors for a GPA of 3.75-4.0, with 199 earning high honors for a GPA of 3.5-3.74.

Additional individual 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 Sierra Brooks (women's gymnastics)

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

Rookie of the Year: Awarded to the top freshman student-athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically.
» Freshmen Miles Brown (men's track and field), Julia Schwabe (women's lacrosse)

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.
» Graduate student Drew Mattin (wrestling), senior Lillian Mei (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 student-athletes who value learning and supporting others in their pursuit of knowledge and work throughout the academic year to drastically impact a school (or education system).
» Juniors Dylan Gardner (men's lacrosse), Melissa Esswein (women's lacrosse)

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. These student-athletes work throughout the academic year to advocate for or enhance physical, mental, emotional and/or nutritional health.
» Freshman J.J. McCarthy (football), junior Alyssa Zadel (dance)

Civic Engagement: For the student-athletes who care 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 the student-athletes who have invested considerable time in the cause of their choice with purpose, accountability and determination.
» Senior Job Mayhue (men's track and field), junior Gabby Wilson (women's gymnastics)

Rachael Townsend Leadership Award: Seeking to honor student-athletes who have made significant contributions to their community, this award is given to inspirational leaders inside and outside of the locker room, encouraging their peers and teammates to serve. These student-athletes have led others through existing initiatives or developed an idea/program through to completion.
» Sophomore Blake Corum (football), junior Maddie Nolan (women's basketball)