All-Time Service & Leadership Award Winners | 2026 Big West Service & Leadership Photo Gallery

Nine outstanding student-athletes have been named recipients of The Big West's annual Service & Leadership Award for the 2025-26 academic year. The honorees have distinguished themselves through meaningful service, impactful leadership, and academic achievement while making lasting contributions to their campuses and communities.

Track & Field leads all sports with five award recipients, while softball, women's tennis, women's water polo, and women's soccer are also represented among this year's class.

This year's award winners are:

• Daryana Hall, Long Beach State track & field
• Haily Huynh, UC Irvine women's tennis
• Tate Meaux, UC San Diego track & field
• Summer Mosley, CSUN track & field
• Sofie Rodriguez, UC Santa Barbara women's soccer
• Lilian Turban, Hawai'i track & field
• Lillie Vehling, UC Davis women's water polo
• Amira Paloma Villaneda, Cal State Fullerton softball
• Joy Weber, UC Riverside track & field

The Big West has recognized student-athletes through the Service & Leadership Award annually since the 2017-18 academic year. The honor is awarded at the discretion of each member institution and recognizes individuals who exemplify excellence in service, leadership, and academics.

Each member institution may submit one honoree per academic year who participates in a Big West-sponsored sport and consistently engages in service and leadership activities that impact the campus, community, or regional levels. Award recipients embrace leadership opportunities, seek innovative ways to serve others, and create meaningful change while maintaining academic success and eligibility in competition.

Daryana Hall

Long Beach State track & field

A two-time Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, Hall founded the Black Student Athlete Alliance (BSAA) while serving on Long Beach State's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Student-Athlete Leadership Council. Hall represented The Big West at the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, attended the Black Student-Athlete Summit, and helped organize Black History Month programming and student engagement initiatives on campus. The Biology major graduated with a 3.53 GPA and earned Academic All-Star recognition in seven of eight semesters. On the track, Hall was a two-time All-Big West honoree as part of the Beach's 4x100-meter relay team and contributed to several of the fastest relay performances in program history. 

• Two-time Long Beach State SAAC President and founder of the Black Student Athlete Alliance (BSAA).

• Served on the Athletics DEI Committee and Student-Athlete Leadership Council while representing student-athlete interests.

• Represented The Big West at the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum and attended the Black Student-Athlete Summit.

• Organized Black History Month programming and participated in SAAC-sponsored service and engagement initiatives.

• Graduated with a 3.53 GPA and earned Academic All-Star recognition in seven of eight semesters.

• Two-time All-Big West relay honoree and four-year contributor for Long Beach State Track & Field.

Haily Huynh

UC Irvine women's tennis

A two-year team captain and the 2025-26 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, Huynh provided leadership for fellow student-athletes both on campus and within UC Irvine Athletics. Huynh organized several community service initiatives, including a canned food drive that collected more than 1,000 donations for the UCI Basic Needs Center and a toy drive partnership with the UC Irvine Police Department. The Criminology, Law & Society major earned the 2025 UCI Leadership Award and garnered ITA Scholar-Athlete, CSC Academic All-District Team, Big West Spring All-Academic Team, Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll, and Dean's List recognition. On the court, Huynh finished a career ranked 28th in program history in dual-match singles victories and helped lead the Anteaters to their highest win total since 2018-19.

• Two-year Women's Tennis captain and 2025-26 UC Irvine SAAC President.

• Organized community service initiatives, including a canned food drive that collected more than 1,000 donations.

• Partnered with the UC Irvine Police Department to distribute toys to local children's hospitals.

• Recipient of the 2025 UCI Leadership Award for contributions to the UCI Athletics Referendum Campaign Team.

• Earned multiple academic honors, including ITA Scholar-Athlete and CSC Academic All-District recognition.

• Finished career ranked 28th in UC Irvine history in dual-match singles victories.

Tate Meaux

UC San Diego cross country

A three-time cross country team captain, President of the Triton Athlete Council (TAC), and UC San Diego's representative on the Big West SAAC, Meaux has been a strong advocate for student-athletes on campus and across the conference. The Communications major with a minor in Business has supported the community through initiatives including Adopt-a-Family, Headstrong's Ride Smart Helmet Awareness campaign, and the Toler Elementary Halloween Carnival. Meaux's leadership earned recognition as the 2026 Triton Changemaker Award recipient and selections to both the NCAA Leadership Forum and NCAA Career in Sports Forum, while also collecting three Big West Academic All-Conference honors. In competition, Meaux qualified twice for both the Big West Cross Country Championships and Big West Track & Field Championships.

• President of the Triton Athlete Council, Big West SAAC representative, and three-time cross country team captain.

• Participated in community service initiatives including Adopt-a-Family, Headstrong's Ride Smart Helmet Awareness campaign, and the Toler Elementary Halloween Carnival.

• Recipient of the 2026 Triton Changemaker Award.

• Selected to the NCAA Leadership Forum and NCAA Career in Sports Forum.

• Three-time Big West All-Academic honoree.

• Two-time qualifier for both the Big West Cross Country Championships and Big West Track & Field Championships.

Summer Mosley

CSUN women's track & field

As President of the Black Student-Athlete Association and a mentorship lead for the CSUN Black House, Mosley has championed leadership, advocacy, and support for student-athletes and underrepresented communities. The Social Sciences graduate and master's student in Diverse Community Development Leadership has led mentorship initiatives, conducted research focused on equity in sport, and supported first-generation, foster, and underserved student populations through community engagement efforts. Mosley's impact has been recognized with the TAPA Community Service Award, Talented Tenth Award, and W.E.B. Du Bois Award for excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service. In competition, Mosley is a two-time Big West discus champion, 2025 hammer throw champion, four-time NCAA West First Round qualifier, and the CSUN record holder in the discus.

 • President of the Black Student-Athlete Association and mentorship lead for the CSUN Black House.

•  Led mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement initiatives supporting underrepresented student populations.

•  Recipient of the TAPA Community Service Award, Talented Tenth Award, and W.E.B. Du Bois Award.

• Earned degrees in Social Sciences and Diverse Community Development Leadership as a first-generation college graduate.

•  Two-time Big West discus champion and 2025 hammer throw champion.

                                                                                                       • CSUN record holder in the discus and a four-time NCAA West First Round qualifier.

Sofie Rodriguez

UC Santa Barbara women's soccer

A team captain for the 2025 season and member of UC Santa Barbara's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Rodriguez has demonstrated leadership on campus and within the Gaucho women's soccer program. The Biological Sciences major has served the Santa Barbara community through work with children diagnosed with autism and volunteer efforts at local healthcare and youth organizations. Rodriguez graduated with highest honors and a 3.94 GPA, earning UCSB Golden Eagle honors twice, the department's Ring Winner distinction, and Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition. On the pitch, Rodriguez was a two-time All-Big West selection and 2024 Big West Championship Match Co-MVP, helping lead UC Santa Barbara to consecutive Big West Championship appearances and its first NCAA Tournament berth in 15 years.

• Team captain and SAAC member who served the community through work with children, healthcare organizations, and youth soccer programs.

• Graduated with highest honors and a 3.94 GPA while earning UCSB's Golden Eagle, Ring Winner, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.

• Two-time All-Big West selection and 2024 Big West Championship Match Co-MVP.

• Helped lead the Gauchos to consecutive Big West Championship appearances and their first NCAA Tournament berth in 15 years.

Lilian Turban

Hawai'i track & field

A team captain for the 2025-26 season, Turban became the first international student from Hawai'i's sprints, jumps, and hurdles group to earn the role, leading by example through work ethic, resilience, and support for teammates. The Psychology and Communications double major volunteers with children at the O?ahu Bright Lab Art Studio in Manoa, an experience that reflects a commitment to serving the local community and inspired a future career in art therapy. Turban maintained a 3.99 cumulative GPA, earned Big West Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors twice, and was named the 2025-26 Jack Bonham Award recipient, the highest honor bestowed by Hawai'i Athletics. A two-time All-American, nine-time NCAA qualifier, and eight-time Big West champion, Turban ranks among the most accomplished student-athletes in program history.

• Team captain for the 2025-26 season and the first international student from Hawai'i's sprints, jumps, and hurdles group to earn the role.

• Volunteers at the O?ahu Bright Lab Art Studio, support children and inspire a future career in art therapy.

• Recipient of the 2025-26 Jack Bonham Award, Hawai'i Athletics' highest honor for athletics, academics, leadership, character, and service.ourses.

• Maintained a 3.99 GPA while earning a double major in Psychology and Communications and a minor in Spanish.

• Two-time Big West Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year across all sports.

• Two-time All-American, nine-time NCAA qualifier, and eight-time Big West Conference champion.

Lillie Vehling

UC Davis women's water polo

A leader on campus and within UC Davis Athletics, Vehling serves as Treasurer of the American Nuclear Society, an officer on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and founder of Aggie Points, a student-athlete engagement platform designed to promote attendance and school spirit. The Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Science and Engineering double major co-founded SWAG (Swim Ags), a water safety initiative focused on expanding equitable access to drowning prevention education, while also helping welcome an 11-year-old teammate to the women's water polo program through Team IMPACT. Vehling has maintained a 3.93 GPA, earned ACWPC All-Academic Outstanding and Big West Commissioner's List Highest Honors recognition, and completed prestigious nuclear engineering internships at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In the pool, Vehling ranked second on the team in assists and fourth in both goals and points while posting the highest shooting percentage among the Aggies' top five scorers.

• Treasurer of the American Nuclear Society, SAAC officer, and founder of the Aggie Points student-athlete engagement platform.

• Co-founded SWAG (Swim Ags), a water safety initiative focused on equitable access to drowning prevention education.

• Helped lead the women's water polo program's partnership with Team IMPACT.

• Maintained a 3.93 GPA as a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Science and Engineering.

• Earned ACWPC All-Academic Outstanding and Big West Commissioner's List Highest Honors recognition.

• Ranked second on the team in assists and fourth in goals and points while leading the team's top scorers in shooting percentage.

Amira Paloma Villaneda

Cal State Fullerton softball

A leader on campus and within Cal State Fullerton Athletics, Villaneda serves as Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President while also holding leadership roles with Global Titan, International Education and Engagement, and several student organizations. The International Business major has supported others through mentorship of young athletes, youth camps, a motivational campaign for foster youth, and participation in the International Student Buddy program. Villaneda's academic achievements include study abroad experiences in Italy and Korea, recognition on the Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll and Big West Spring All-Academic Team, and receipt of the ASI Carol Burke Memorial Scholarship. On the field, Villaneda helped lead the Titans to back-to-back Big West regular-season championships, the 2026 Big West Tournament title, and an appearance in the NCAA UCLA Regional.

• Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President and leader within several campus and international engagement organizations.

• Mentored young athletes, supported foster youth initiatives, and participated in the International Student Buddy program.

• Recipient of the ASI Carol Burke Memorial Scholarship and Marketing Intern for the Study Abroad Office.

• Studied abroad in Italy and Korea while pursuing a degree in International Business with a minor in Marketing.

• Earned Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll and Big West Spring All-Academic recognition.

• Helped Cal State Fullerton capture consecutive Big West regular-season titles, the 2026 tournament championship, and a berth in the NCAA UCLA Regional.

Joy Weber

UC Riverside track & field

A three-year leader within UC Riverside's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Weber served as both Vice President and President while helping guide student-athlete engagement efforts across campus. Weber played a key role in organizing community outreach projects, mental health awareness programming, and department-wide initiatives such as Scotty Points, Scotty Olympics, and the Scotty Awards. The Media and Cultural Studies major graduated in three years, earned multiple academic honors, and was recognized with the 2025-26 Lindy Citizenship Award, one of UC Riverside Athletics' highest student-athlete distinctions. A four-year contributor in both cross country and track & field, Weber won the 1,500 meters at the UC Riverside Spring Classic and competed at the Big West Championships in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

• Served as SAAC Vice President and President during a three-year career at UC Riverside.

• Helped organize community outreach, mental health awareness, and student-athlete engagement initiatives.

• Played a leadership role in department-wide programs, including Scotty Points, Scotty Olympics, and the Scotty Awards.

• Recipient of the 2025-26 Lindy Citizenship Award for leadership, service, and citizenship.

• Graduated in three years and earned Big West, MPSF, and campus academic honors.

• Four-year NCAA Division I student-athlete in cross country and track & field who competed at the Big West Championship.s.