Student-Athletes Honored at The Maizies

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan athletic department honored multiple student-athletes on Monday night (April 17) at Crisler Center for their achievements in the classroom, community and athletics at The Maizies. In its first year as an awards show to celebrate the 2022-23 academic year, The Maizies featured academic awards, community service awards and new honors developed and voted upon by student-athletes.

Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor: The most prestigious honor a student-athlete can receive, this is awarded annually at each Big Ten Conference institution to one male and one female student-athlete in the graduating class who has demonstrated proficiency in scholarship and athletics.
» Sierra Brooks (women's gymnastics) and Kevin Buca (men's soccer)

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 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.
» Kata Utassy (water polo)

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

Rookie of the Year: Awarded to the top freshman student-athlete who has excelled both academically and athletically.
» Janelle Ilacqua (softball) and Adam Fantilli (ice hockey)

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.
» Anika Dy (women's golf)

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.
» Cole Mattin (wrestling) and Natalie Wojcik (women's gymnastics)

Austin Hatch Adversity Award: Awarded to one male and one female student-athlete who has overcome life-altering obstacles. It is named for former men's basketball student-athlete and alum Austin Hatch.
» Steven Holtz (ice hockey) and Caylie McMahon (field hockey)

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, and Civic Engagement and continues to present the Rachael Townsend Leadership Award.

Education: Seen as a role model to a younger generation, the Let's Go Do award in education is given to an individual student-athlete who works throughout the academic year to drastically impact a school (or school system) through a message of their choice (i.e. bullying, reading, etc.).
» Michael Leon (men's soccer)

Health & Wellness: Educating the community on the benefits of an active lifestyle and nutrition while visiting patients to keep spirits high, this award is for a student-athlete who promotes health, fitness and wellness initiatives.
» Natalie Wojcik (women's gymnastics)

Civic Engagement: Aimed at recognizing a student-athlete that supports the growth of the community as a whole using multiple avenues such as: food pantries, community clean-up, animal welfare, etc. Having employed a "roll up your sleeves" mentality, this award is given to a student-athlete that has invested considerable time in the cause of their choice with purpose, accountability and determination.
» Sophie Tovani (water polo)

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.
» Alyssa Zadel (dance)

SAAC Award Categories (voted on by student-athletes)
Biggest Upset of the Year: Ice Hockey - Win over No. 1 Minnesota in Big Ten Tournament
Best Celebration Photo of the Year: Football beating Ohio State
Male Prime Time (Most Fun to Watch): Football
Female Prime Time (Most Fun to Watch): Women's Gymnastics
Male Coolest Threads/Uniforms: Wrestling
Female Coolest Threads/Uniforms: Women's Gymnastics
Showstopper of the Year (Fought Through Adversity): Women's Track and Field 4x400 falling and winning the race
Victors Valiant (Team of the Year): Ice Hockey
Best Fall Athlete, Female: Hannah Grant (Volleyball)
Best Fall Athlete, Male: Blake Corum (Football)
Best Winter Athlete, Female: Sierra Brooks (Women's Gymnastics)
Best Winter Athlete, Male: Mason Parris (Wrestling)
Best Spring Athlete, Female: Jill Smith (Women's Lacrosse)
Best Spring Athlete, Male: Andrew Fenty (Men's Tennis)