GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - The Southwestern University Athletic Department hosted its annual Student-Athlete Awards and Senior Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday at 12:00 PM in the Bishops Lounge.
The "Senior Watch Ceremony", which has been a long-held tradition for Southwestern Athletics, incorporated new traditions this year which featured honoring the Fay Vincent Sr. Sportsmanship award, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Anchor Award, and the coveted Dr. Tex Kassen and Dr. Carla Lowry Athlete of the Year awards. The Pirate Athletic Department also started a tradition of handing out Student-Athlete Stoles so that athletes may be distinguished for their commitment to their respective programs on commencement day. Athletes who earned a 3.4 GPA or higher were gifted an honor cord along with their stole for their hard work on the field and in the classroom.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Fay Vincent Sr. Sportsmanship Award - SR Nick Hackett (Football)
Fay Vincent Sr. Sportsmanship Award - SR Reece Sandercock (Women's Basketball)
S.A.A.C Anchor Award - SR Vincent Kim (Track & Cross Country)
S.A.A.C Anchor Award - SR Emma White (Volleyball)
Dr. Tex Kassen Athlete of the Year - Christian Rodriguez (Men's Golf)
Dr. Carla Lowry Athlete of the Year - Emma White (Volleyball)
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Fay Vincent Sr. Sportsmanship Award
"Southwestern Board of Visitors member and former Commissioner of Major League Baseball Fay Vincent Jr. established the award in 2015 in honor of his father, Fay Sr., a former Yale University football and baseball captain who also was a National Football League referee. The elder Vincent served as a college football and baseball official for decades and his devotion to sports officiating is reflected in this award to honor students who understand the place of proper respect for rules, civil competition and sports officials.
For this award, one male and one female student-athlete from Southwestern are selected among those nominated by their coaches for exhibiting the highest caliber of sportsmanship, maturity, character and dignity in and beyond the playing field. Additionally, the honorees promote civility and treat referees, officials, teammates and opponents with genuine respect. Beyond the playing field, the awardees are community leaders and represent the University in the best possible light."
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Anchor Award
"The Anchor Award is presented annually by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) to the male and female athlete who best displays a number of traits that embody the spirit and character of the SU community. The winners are voted on by any members of the Southwestern student body, faculty, and staff."
Dr. Tex Kassen Athlete of the Year
About Dr. Tex Kassen: Kassen served as the Director of Athletics at Southwestern from 1971-1985. During his tenure at Southwestern, the school's athletic teams achieved statewide and national rankings in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1989 for Outstanding Achievement and Meritorious Service and in 1995 he was inducted into the Southwestern University Athletic Hall of Fame. A lifetime of involvement meant a lifetime of happiness, a lifetime of satisfaction, and a lifetime's worth of honors for Dr. Kassen.
Dr. Carla Lowry Athlete of the Year
About Dr. Carla Lowry: Dr. Lowry served as the Director of Athletics at Southwestern from 1984 to 1995. She was an advocate for all student-athletes and was inducted into the Southwestern Hall of Fame in 2012. Dr. Lowry expected excellence from all student-athletes who participated in wearing the Southwestern uniform. She had great respect for those who worked hard, were exceptional performers, and exemplified great sportsmanship.