Student-Athletes Honored at The Maizies
4/21/2026 9:00:00 PM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Tennis, Men's Track & Field, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Swimming & Diving, Water Polo, Spirit Department
ANN ARBOR, Mich.-- The University of Michigan Athletic Department honored multiple student-athletes on Tuesday night (April 21) at Crisler Center for their achievements in the classroom, community and athletics at The Maizies. In its fourth year as an awards show to celebrate the 2025-26 academic year, The Maizies featured academic awards, community service awards and honors developed and voted upon by student-athletes.
Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor:Â 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.
» Abby Tamer (field hockey), Josh Eernisse (ice hockey)
Bates/Deskins Award:Â 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.
» Garrett Schifsky (ice hockey)
Sophomore Leader & Best Award:Â Given to the top sophomore student-athlete who demonstrates Michigan's Leaders and Best qualities both academically and athletically.
» Aaronson Mansberger (men's gymnastics)
Newcomer of the Year:Â Awarded to the top first-year student-athlete who has excelled both academically and athletically.
» Bella Sims (women's swimming and diving), Trey McKenney (men's basketball)
Raeder's Raiders Spirit Award:Â 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.
» Caylie McMahon (field hockey)
Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients:Â 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.
» Sophia Meguid (dance), Mert Oral (men's tennis)
Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award:Â Michigan's nominees for the Big Ten Jackie Robinson Award. Established in 2025 to recognize student-athletes at Big Ten institutions who strive to have a positive impact not only in their chosen sport, but also within their community.Â
» Zoë Bormet (field hockey), Kevin Kearns (men's lacrosse)
Austin Hatch Adversity Award:Â Awarded to one student-athlete who has overcome life-altering obstacles. It is named for former men's basketball student-athlete and alum Austin Hatch.
» Lulu Hirschfield (water polo)
Let's Go Do Awards: The Let's Go Do Awards honors an individual student-athlete for their above-and-beyond commitments to creating a positive impact through community service and engagement in the areas of Education, Health and Wellness, Civic Engagement and/or Global Engagement.
» Stella Nolan (women's lacrosse)
Rachael Townsend Leadership Award:Â 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.
» Julia Lepore (dance)
SAAC Award Categories (voted on by student-athletes)
Male Prime Time (Most Fun to Watch): Men's Basketball
Female Prime Time (Most Fun to Watch): Women's Basketball
Victors Valiant (Team of the Year): Men's Basketball
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year: Lily Clapper (women's gymnastics)
Best Fall Athlete, Female: Abby Tamer (field hockey)
Best Fall Athlete, Male: Jordan Marshall (football)
Best Winter Athlete, Female: Olivia Olson (women's basketball)
Best Winter Athlete, Male: Yaxel Lendeborg (men's basketball)
Best Spring Athlete, Female: Jenissa Conway (softball)
Best Spring Athlete, Male: Trent McFarland (men's track and field)
Heart of a Wolverine (Embodies Spirit of the Team): Caylie McMahon (field hockey)
The ICON (Inspiring Creative Opportunities for NIL) Award: Fred Richard (men's gymnastics)
Players Mentioned
