Cole embodies the epitome of a true scholar-athlete striving for excellence both on the pitch and in the classroom. Balancing his BMED major with over a 3.9 cumulative GPA while also being a team leader show us true heart, determination and work ethic! He continues to set the standard for Cal Poly men's soccer and all student-athletes in the dept. It's a blessing to work with students like Cole.

Izzy is an exceptional beach volleyball player combing skill, determination, and teamwork on the sand, and is also a dedicated student bringing the same discipline and focus to the classroom. Her ability to excel in both is a true reflection of her hard work, balance, and character.

Vivi’s remarkable Beach Volleyball accomplishments were equally matched by her commitment to academic excellence. Her discipline and determination set a standard of excellence that embodies the culture of CSU Bakersfield. Through meaningful service to her community, she inspired others and exemplified the true values of being a leader and giving back.

Nick’s excellence extended far beyond the diamond. Through phenomenal athletic achievement, leadership, and outstanding academic performance, he exemplifies a true Scholar-Athlete at CSU Bakersfield. He proves that success is measured not just by the victories that take place on the field, but also by committing to academic success in the classroom, and making a positive impact through serving the community.

"It is a sincere pleasure to recommend Isabella Cruz. Having worked closely with Isabella for the past five years during her tenure as a student-athlete on the Cal State Fullerton Women’s Soccer Team, I have seen first hand her exceptional growth as a leader and a professional. Isabella is an intelligent, dependable, and remarkably well-rounded individual who has earned the deep respect of her peers, coaching staff, and the broader university community. Isabella’s character was most profoundly tested this past year following a tragic accident involving two of her teammates. In the wake of this heartbreak—which resulted in the loss of one teammate and a long recovery for another—Isabella emerged as the pillar of the team. She was the person everyone looked to for strength, navigating the collective grief with remarkable poise. Whether she was speaking publicly on behalf of her peers or providing quiet support behind the scenes, she effectively carried the team through their darkest moments. This experience revealed the core of who Isabella is a resilient, compassionate 'servant leader' who leads with both heart and courage. Additionally, Isabella distinguishes herself through an unwavering work ethic and a meticulous attention to detail. Her interpersonal skills are a particular strength; she navigates diverse environments with ease, fostering collaboration and stepping into leadership roles with natural confidence. Beyond her athletic achievements, which are numerous, she is deeply committed to her academic success, consistently demonstrating integrity, maturity, and sound judgment. What sets Isabella apart is her resilience. She approaches challenges with a solution-oriented mindset and a level-headedness that serves as an anchor for those around her. I am entirely confident that Isabella possesses the intellect and drive to thrive in any professional environment and I feel that she is uniquely qualified for this award.

Earning Big West Scholar-Athlete recognition is a testament to Max's dedication to academic and athletic excellence. Maintaining a 3.83 GPA while competing at a high level and serving as a leader within our student-athlete community demonstrates the balance and commitment required to succeed as a Division I student-athlete."

Owen represents exactly what we want our student-athletes to be. He is committed, consistent, and driven both in the classroom and on the court. Being selected as the Big West Academic of the Year is a tremendous honor and reflection of the work he puts in everyday.

Nicole is a student-athlete who has achieved academic and athletic excellence on and off the court. She exemplifies hard work, leadership, and humility, while still maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She has volunteered in several community service events throughout the year including trunk or treat and also raising awareness to young kids in the community by introducing them to tennis by hosting clinics at elementary schools. Nicole is an example of success in the athletically and academics and continues to be a role model for young people in the community.

Ofeck exemplifies what it means to be a scholar-athlete through his hard work and determination both in and out of the classroom. Over the past two years, he has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and earned the NCAA Elite 90 Award during the 2026 season. He puts in extra hours in our academic center and is often one of the first to arrive in the morning and one of the last to leave. Ofeck works tirelessly to balance the demands of academics and athletics while striving to be the best teammate he can be. Outside of collegiate athletics, he is also a member of the Israeli Senior National Team. He competed on Israel's European Championship team in 2023 and is set to represent his country again at the 2026 European Championship.

Lilian has earned numerous athletic and academic achievements during her track and field career at UH. She competes in both jumps and throws and has successfully balanced the rigor of competing in a highly demanding sport while maintaining exceptional academic performance. She is the first Rainbow Wahine track and field student-athlete to win multiple Big West individual titles and has earned Top 10 marks in UH history in the high jump, javelin, and shot put. Lilian has consistently maintained one of the highest GPAs on the team, earning MPSF and CSC academic honors throughout her career. She was also awarded the Jack Bonham Award, UH Athletics' most prestigious honor, recognizing athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, and leadership. Lilian is an outstanding role model for her teammates and exemplifies what it means to be a scholar-athlete for the University of Hawai?i, the community, and her home country of Estonia.

Alejandro was a leader both in the classroom and on the golf course. He consistently showed up, gave his best effort, and led by example. His dedication, work ethic, and positive attitude made him a role model for his peers. The Beach will always be grateful for his participation, contributions, and the positive impact he made on our community and among his teammates. His character will leave a lasting legacy."

They broke the mold with this model student-athlete. Tineke practically lives in our Academic Center when she’s not on the sand courts. She takes full advantage of every resource and service available to help her grow academically and athletically, and she does it all with remarkable grace, humor, and positivity.

In a season marked by significant change, with both our head coach and assistant coach departing just weeks before preseason, Muhammed never wavered. He embraced the uncertainty, led by example and became a source of stability and confidence for his teammates. He set a bold goal of becoming a conference champion and then put in the work to make it a reality. The resilience, leadership and determination he displayed throughout the year are a true reflection of what it means to be an Aggie.

Jade represents what true leadership looks like at the highest level as she values her teammate‘s growth and team accomplishments more than any individual accolades. She excels both academically and athletically, but what makes her exceptional is the way she carries it - with humility, presence, and a deep commitment to her team. Because she’s never tied her identity to performance, she leads freely, competes selflessly, and consistently elevates those around her.

Shane Aitken is a deserving candidate for the Big West Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. He has excelled both academically and athletically, earning Dean’s List honors while competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics. As an important contributor to his team’s success, Shane helped lead his program in its pursuit of an NCAA Championship. His strong work ethic, commitment to academics, and dedication to his sport reflect what it means to be a student-athlete. Shane consistently represents his university with pride and professionalism, making him highly deserving of this recognition.

Chelsea Aninyei's story is one of resilience, determination, and growth. She faced challenges early in her collegiate career that could have changed the course of her future, but instead she chose to persevere. Through hard work, discipline, and a genuine commitment to becoming the best version of herself, she transformed into an honors student, earned admission to graduate school, and established herself as one of the most accomplished track and field athletes in UC Riverside history. What I admire most about Chelsea is that she never let adversity define her. She quietly went to work, stayed committed to her goals, and proved that setbacks do not determine your future—your response to them does. Her journey reminds us that success is not defined by where you begin, but by the courage and determination to keep moving forward.

Kazu Kimura represents the very best of what it means to be a student-athlete. As only a sophomore, he has already distinguished himself through his academic excellence, athletic achievement, and the humility and work ethic that have earned the respect of his teammates and coaches. What makes Kazu special is not just what he has already accomplished, but the leader he is becoming. I believe his greatest achievements are still ahead of him, and I look forward to watching him continue to grow and make a lasting impact both at UC Riverside and beyond.

"Beyond his accolades, Bennett is a respected leader and teammate whose character, work ethic, and professionalism positively impact those around him. He represents UC San Diego with distinction and embodies the values of the Big West Conference.”

Sylvana Northrop exemplifies what it means to be a true scholar-athlete. She has achieved remarkable success in both cross country and track & field, earning numerous Big West and NCAA honors throughout her career. Equally impressive are her accomplishments in the classroom, where she has received multiple Big West Academic awards in recognition of her dedication to academic excellence. Beyond her individual achievements, Sylvana has been an invaluable contributor to her teams and has had a lasting impact on our department and institution during her tenure as a Triton.

The influence Calle has had on our Gaucho community extends far beyond his success on the field. He leads with humility, serves with purpose, and approaches every opportunity with a commitment to excellence. As captain, he has helped elevate our men's soccer program, and his character and dedication to the Santa Barbara community that truly set him apart. Calle has left a meaningful mark on our campus, and we are incredibly proud of how he represents our campus and department.

Zoe represents the very best of UCSB Athletics. She approaches every challenge with humility, discipline, and a commitment to excellence that inspires those around her. Her success as a student-athlete is impressive, and her character, care for others and positive impact on our Gaucho community is truly special. Zoe embodies the values we cherish at UCSB.