Student-Athletes Celebrate Achievements at Panther Gala
5/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | General
PITTSBURGH - Student-athletes came together to celebrate the achievements of the 2016-17 academic year at the second-annual Panther Gala at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum on Monday April 17th. The event, coordinated by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Cathy and John Pelusi Family Life Skills Program, provided a unique opportunity for the entire student-athlete and staff populations to come together in an evening of fellowship to look back on the accomplishments of the past season and honor those who stood out.
The evening began with a reception in the museum lobby, with photo opportunities for student-athletes and staff, as well as refreshments and entertainment from DJ Eric Burnett (Pitt Track and Field Class of 2008). In the main auditorium, Pitt senior broadcast journalism major Jesse Irwin served as master of ceremonies for the formal program that saw 10 awards given out, as well as having the top academic teams of the year recognized for their achievements.
The academic awards were evidence of sustained excellence. For the fourth consecutive calendar year (2013-2016) the women's swimming and diving team took home the recognition for best women's team GPA, and the men's soccer team earned the top men's team GPA honors for the eighth consecutive year (2009-2016). It also marked the second consecutive year that the women's basketball team earned the most improved team GPA award.
Raj Kahlon and members of the Pitt Men's Soccer Team accept their award for highest men's team GPA
The student-athlete population voted on all the awards given out honoring athletic-focused achievement after a nomination process involving head coaches, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and members of the administration team yielded a list of finalists in each category. This year, categories honored included Rookie of the Year (Male and Female), Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Performance of the Year (Male and Female) and Student-Athlete of the Year (Male and Female). Also honored were the Panther Tough Award (recognizing a comeback or closely contested victory) and the Heart of the Panther Award (recognizing a student-athlete from any class who best embodies all parts of being a student-athlete at Pitt).
The evening was capped off with more music and deserts in the lobby of the museum, as well as a chance to take photos with the newly minted award winners (listed below). With many student-athletes enjoying the evening, it served as a lovely sendoff to a remarkable season, and a chance to create new friendships and build an even stronger bond in the student-athlete community.
Male Rookie of the Year: Taleb Rahmani, Wrestling
Female Rookie of the Year: Olivia Gray, Softball
Panther Tough Award: Football vs. #2 Clemson
Heart of the Panther: Andin Fosam, Women's Track and Field
Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year: Stephanie Williams, Volleyball
Administrator of the Year: Jackson Martin, Career Consultant for Student-Athletes
Female Performance of the Year: Gillian Schriever, NCAA Cross Country Regionals
Male Performance of the Year: Chris Blewitt, Game-Winning Field Goal vs. #2 Clemson
Most Improved Academic Team: Women's Basketball
Top Men's Academic Team: Men's Soccer
Top Women's and Top Overall Academic Team: Women's Swimming and Diving
Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Stephanie Williams, Volleyball
Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Quadree Henderson, Football