Completed Event: General versus Arizona on January 18, 2002
Final Score
General
vs Arizona
The University of Utah Athletics
Annual Student-Athlete Awards Unveiled April 13-17
4/10/2026 11:30 AM | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Softball, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Basketball, Gymnastics, Soccer, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track & Field, Skiing, Women's Swimming & Diving, Lacrosse
SALT LAKE CITY—University of Utah student-athletes have a long tradition of celebrating and recognizing the best of their peers' achievements and leadership with the presentation of annual awards centered around the "3 Cs"—the pillars of the Utah Athletics student-athlete experience: Excellence in the Classroom, Competition and Community.
Â
This year's awards were unveiled over a five-day span on social media and utahutes.com, from April 13-17. The recipients and award descriptions can be found below.Â
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM – This award is presented to the student-athlete from each team who has earned the highest cumulative grade-point average on his or her team, following sixty or more hours earned at the University of Utah.
HIGHEST TEAM GPA – Presented to the teams with the highest cumulative GPA, calculated by the academic services staff from the combination of the Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters.
FERN GARDNER SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD – Kelly Bullock (Women's Soccer) | Fern Gardner, former Utah women's basketball coach, women's AD and longtime senior athletics administrator, was one of the most prominent female leaders in the history of collegiate athletics and was ranked among Sports Illustrated's list of Utah's 50 greatest sports figures. This award annually recognizes a female student-athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom, as well as in her sport.
DR. BURTIS EVANS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD – Will Overly (Lacrosse) | Burtis and Jan Evans showed equal devotion to the University. Dr. Evans served as team physician for Ute Athletic teams for 37 years. This award annually recognizes a male student-athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom, as well as in his sport.
JAMES R. "BUD" JACK TEAM COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – This award honors the legacy left behind by Bud and Ila Jack, who dedicated 40 years of their lives to the University of Utah. Bud served in many capacities including 17 years as the Athletics Director and Assistant Vice President for Athletic Development. Bud was also an instrumental part of starting women's scholarship athletics at Utah in the 1970s. Presented to the team that has gone the extra mile to give back to Salt Lake City and surrounding communities. Not only does it have a powerful reflection of who this team is, but also reflects what it means to be a caring student-athlete at Utah.
JOHN CRAWFORD JR. CONTRIBUTE AWARD – John Crawford, Jr., devoted much of his life to Utah Athletics. He started the formalized Crimson Club and was a favorite in the Athletic Department. This award recognizes the team that has collectively contributed the most to the community, enriched themselves through Ute Academy events and workshops, and participated in student groups.
REVEREND FRANCE A. DAVIS IMPACT AWARD – Nikko DiPonio (Lacrosse) | Presented to the student-athlete who, through leadership, advocacy and a commitment to fostering positive change, has made a meaningful impact at the University of Utah, and within the community. Their dedication, integrity and courage have helped create a better experience for those around them—all the reasons why the athletics department is honored to have educator, leader and agent of positive change for the greater good Reverend France A. Davis lend his name to this award.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE AWARDS – Presented to individuals recognized by the Utah Athletics High-Performance Team who have gone above and beyond in areas that support all facets of performance, including athletic training, strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports science and mental performance.
OCCIE EVANS AWARD – Hailee White (Softball) | Occie Evans was selected as one of the top 50 Utah athletes of the Century by Sports Illustrated and was elected to the Utah Sports Hall of Fame before he passed away in 1996. He played freshman football and basketball at the University of Utah before leaving to play professional baseball. This award is presented annually to the outstanding senior female athlete in a team sport who excelled in academics, leadership and community involvement. The award was established by Evans and the Utah Athletics Department in 1978.
DR. CHRIS HILL LEADERSHIP AWARDS – Makenna Smith (Gymnastics) & Will Overly (Lacrosse) | Dr. Chris Hill retired as one of the longest tenured Division 1 Athletic Directors for the same school. Over 31 years, he navigated Utah Athletics into the Pac-12 and left a lasting legacy. This award recognizes the male and female student-athletes who best exemplify leadership for their team, the athletics department, the campus and surrounding communities.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – Cierra Cole (Swim & Dive) & Devon Dampier (Football) | Awarded to a student-athlete who made the greatest impact in competition during his or her first year at Utah through performance, dedication and team contribution.
UTE PROUD MOST INSPIRATIONAL ATHLETES – Ashley West (Volleyball) & Caleb Gallagher (Swim & Dive) | Presented annually to the senior male and female student-athletes recognized for qualities of caring, courage, confidence, humility, humor and encouragement. This award is unique in that the recipients were nominated by fellow student-athletes who believe the recipients display the true spirit of Utah Athletics as exemplified by the contribution and inspiration they provide to their team.
CRIMSON CLUB TRUE GRIT AWARDS – Ashley West (Volleyball) & Dallin Tanner (Lacrosse) | Recognizes one men's and one women's student-athlete whose determination and perseverance in overcoming serious adversity athletically or personally, stands as a testament to their tremendous character and indomitable spirit. Sponsored by the Crimson Club.
THREE Cs OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS – Kathryn Grant (Swim & Dive) & Jaren Kump (Football) | Presented to a senior men's and women's student-athlete who has combined academic excellence, athletic participation and community engagement, embodying the Utah Athletics mission statement of success in the classroom, competition and the community.
STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS – Avery Neff (Gymnastics) & Zachary Jayne (Skiing) | Recognizes one men's and one women's student-athlete who demonstrated exceptional performance in competition and made a significant impact on his or her team's success during this year's seasons.
Â
Â
Â
This year's awards were unveiled over a five-day span on social media and utahutes.com, from April 13-17. The recipients and award descriptions can be found below.Â
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM – This award is presented to the student-athlete from each team who has earned the highest cumulative grade-point average on his or her team, following sixty or more hours earned at the University of Utah.
HIGHEST TEAM GPA – Presented to the teams with the highest cumulative GPA, calculated by the academic services staff from the combination of the Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters.
FERN GARDNER SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD – Kelly Bullock (Women's Soccer) | Fern Gardner, former Utah women's basketball coach, women's AD and longtime senior athletics administrator, was one of the most prominent female leaders in the history of collegiate athletics and was ranked among Sports Illustrated's list of Utah's 50 greatest sports figures. This award annually recognizes a female student-athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom, as well as in her sport.
DR. BURTIS EVANS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD – Will Overly (Lacrosse) | Burtis and Jan Evans showed equal devotion to the University. Dr. Evans served as team physician for Ute Athletic teams for 37 years. This award annually recognizes a male student-athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom, as well as in his sport.
JAMES R. "BUD" JACK TEAM COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – This award honors the legacy left behind by Bud and Ila Jack, who dedicated 40 years of their lives to the University of Utah. Bud served in many capacities including 17 years as the Athletics Director and Assistant Vice President for Athletic Development. Bud was also an instrumental part of starting women's scholarship athletics at Utah in the 1970s. Presented to the team that has gone the extra mile to give back to Salt Lake City and surrounding communities. Not only does it have a powerful reflection of who this team is, but also reflects what it means to be a caring student-athlete at Utah.
JOHN CRAWFORD JR. CONTRIBUTE AWARD – John Crawford, Jr., devoted much of his life to Utah Athletics. He started the formalized Crimson Club and was a favorite in the Athletic Department. This award recognizes the team that has collectively contributed the most to the community, enriched themselves through Ute Academy events and workshops, and participated in student groups.
REVEREND FRANCE A. DAVIS IMPACT AWARD – Nikko DiPonio (Lacrosse) | Presented to the student-athlete who, through leadership, advocacy and a commitment to fostering positive change, has made a meaningful impact at the University of Utah, and within the community. Their dedication, integrity and courage have helped create a better experience for those around them—all the reasons why the athletics department is honored to have educator, leader and agent of positive change for the greater good Reverend France A. Davis lend his name to this award.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE AWARDS – Presented to individuals recognized by the Utah Athletics High-Performance Team who have gone above and beyond in areas that support all facets of performance, including athletic training, strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports science and mental performance.
OCCIE EVANS AWARD – Hailee White (Softball) | Occie Evans was selected as one of the top 50 Utah athletes of the Century by Sports Illustrated and was elected to the Utah Sports Hall of Fame before he passed away in 1996. He played freshman football and basketball at the University of Utah before leaving to play professional baseball. This award is presented annually to the outstanding senior female athlete in a team sport who excelled in academics, leadership and community involvement. The award was established by Evans and the Utah Athletics Department in 1978.
DR. CHRIS HILL LEADERSHIP AWARDS – Makenna Smith (Gymnastics) & Will Overly (Lacrosse) | Dr. Chris Hill retired as one of the longest tenured Division 1 Athletic Directors for the same school. Over 31 years, he navigated Utah Athletics into the Pac-12 and left a lasting legacy. This award recognizes the male and female student-athletes who best exemplify leadership for their team, the athletics department, the campus and surrounding communities.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – Cierra Cole (Swim & Dive) & Devon Dampier (Football) | Awarded to a student-athlete who made the greatest impact in competition during his or her first year at Utah through performance, dedication and team contribution.
UTE PROUD MOST INSPIRATIONAL ATHLETES – Ashley West (Volleyball) & Caleb Gallagher (Swim & Dive) | Presented annually to the senior male and female student-athletes recognized for qualities of caring, courage, confidence, humility, humor and encouragement. This award is unique in that the recipients were nominated by fellow student-athletes who believe the recipients display the true spirit of Utah Athletics as exemplified by the contribution and inspiration they provide to their team.
CRIMSON CLUB TRUE GRIT AWARDS – Ashley West (Volleyball) & Dallin Tanner (Lacrosse) | Recognizes one men's and one women's student-athlete whose determination and perseverance in overcoming serious adversity athletically or personally, stands as a testament to their tremendous character and indomitable spirit. Sponsored by the Crimson Club.
THREE Cs OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS – Kathryn Grant (Swim & Dive) & Jaren Kump (Football) | Presented to a senior men's and women's student-athlete who has combined academic excellence, athletic participation and community engagement, embodying the Utah Athletics mission statement of success in the classroom, competition and the community.
STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS – Avery Neff (Gymnastics) & Zachary Jayne (Skiing) | Recognizes one men's and one women's student-athlete who demonstrated exceptional performance in competition and made a significant impact on his or her team's success during this year's seasons.
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Soccer
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
QB
/ Football
D
/ Lacrosse
Breast/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Nordic
/ Skiing
OL
/ Football
/ Gymnastics
M
/ Lacrosse
/ Gymnastics
D
/ Lacrosse
OH/OPP
/ Volleyball
INF
/ SoftballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley
Wednesday, April 29
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Baseball's Luke Jacobs
Wednesday, April 29
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Softball's Hailey Maestretti
Tuesday, April 28
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Baseball's Cal Miller
Saturday, April 25