April 10, 2012

NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department honored many of its own at the 14th Annual Max Weitzenhoffer Scholar-Athlete Breakfast Tuesday morning at Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Approximately 350 student-athletes, coaches and athletics department and university staff members were in attendance to witness OU President David L. Boren and OU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione present more than 40 academic, community and achievement awards.
 
Below is a list of the 12 awards and each of their recipients:

Conference Medal Award (For Seniors)
Each Big 12 institution may award a Conference Medal Award annually to a male and female student-athlete who has completed his/her athletic eligibility and who has made the most outstanding record in athletics and scholarship.

Brittany Borman (Track and Field)
Patrick Piscitelli (Men's Gymnastics)

Jay Myers Award (For True Freshmen)
Given to freshman student-athletes who best combine excellence in scholarship with potential excellence in their chosen field of athletic endeavor.

Rebecca Clark (Women's Gymnastics)
Dalton Dennis (Wrestling)
Brandon Doughty (Track and Field)
Michael Squires (Men's Gymnastics)
Jessica Vest (Softball)
Caroline Weir (Volleyball)

Dan Gibbens Outstanding Scholar Athlete of the Year
Bestowed upon student-athletes who have attained the highest level of scholarly and athletic success in the prior calendar year. Scholarship is to be measured by appropriate indices and academic attainment including grade point average. Athletic success is to be measured by overall athletic performance.

Suzy Boulavsky (Volleyball)
Jessica Engel (Track and Field)
Megan Ferguson (Women's Gymnastics)
Whitney Hand (Women's Basketball)
Gabe Ikard (Football)
Katherine Nutman (Soccer)
Jeremy Sudbury (Track and Field

Athletics Council Service Award
Student-athletes receiving this award have made important contributions to the community through their commitment to service.

Whitney Hand (Women's Basketball)
Bill Kogel (Track and Field)
Kayla Nowak (Women's Gymnastics)
Brooke Sheppard (Rowing)
Christopher Stehl (Men's Gymnastics)
Sherine Wells (Track and Field)
           
Athletics Council Achievement Award
Honors graduating student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics. These young men or women may not be the best athletes or students and therefore may not have been recognized by other organizations or via other awards, but they have persevered and made significant personal strides toward success. The common thread for all of those to be considered for this award is a motivation/drive to succeed and work ethic that overcomes difficult situations.

Jelena Cerina (Women's Basketball)
Natasha Kelley (Women's Gymnastics)
Peta Maree Lancaster (Women's Tennis)
Corey Wilson (Football)

Athletics Council Academic and Student Life Award for Coaches
Presented to a coach for exemplary encouragement of the personal development and academic achievement of student-athletes through principles of life skills.

Jan Ross (Women's Basketball Assistant Coach)

Sooner Schooner Scholastic Award
Given annually to the football letterman who has completed his eligibility and has maintained the highest grade point average throughout his years of participation.

Daniel Franklin

CHAMPS/Life Skills Award
The team receiving this award has earned the most competition points by attendance at life skills events, athletics competitions, community service hours, campus cultural events, Bridge Builder and SAAC events, as well as individual GPAs.

Women's Gymnastics

Athletics Director's Leadership Award
Given to student-athletes who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in representing the University of Oklahoma and their teams. The award recognizes the special qualities of being a leader, including mental toughness, ability to work with others, giving respect and gaining the respect of others, integrity and accountability.

Whitney Hand (Women's Basketball)
Megan Ferguson (Women's Gymnastics)
Nicole Furmanek (Rowing)

Most Inspiring Faculty Award
Awarded to faculty members who have motivated and inspired student-athletes. These are chosen by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Dr. Joyce Brandes (Professor in Educational Psychology)
Dr. Douglas Gaffin (Professor in Zoology & Chair of University College)
Dr. Steven Livesey (Professor and Chair in History of Science Department)
Dr. Sacra Nicholas (Professor in Instructional Leadership & Academic Curriculum)

Prentice Gautt Award
Established by the Oklahoma House of Representatives and awarded annually by OU's Black Student Association, the award honors a male and female student-athlete who demonstrate the dignity, integrity and strength of character reminiscent of Oklahoma's first African American scholarship athlete.

Sam Proctor (Football)
Sherine Wells (Track and Field)

Gerald Lage Award
Initiated in 2011, the Gerald Lage Award is the Big 12 Conference's highest academic honor. It is named for Dr. Gerald Lage, who was the Faculty Athletics Representative at Oklahoma State University from 1983-2007. To be eligible for this award, students must have earned 100 hours with a 3.80 GPA, be a letterwinner, and must be in residence at their institution for at least one academic year.

Suzy Boulavsky (Volleyball)
Ivy Brown (Rowing)
Natalie Crain (Track and Field)
Molly Ferguson (Track and Field)
Kelly Short (Women's Golf)