CHICAGO – The Chicago State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics honored student-athletes from its 15 athletic teams for their athletic and academic accomplishments during the 2020-21 season on Thursday night via Zoom.
The Cougar aCATemy Awards were presented by CSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and hosted by SAAC president Hansika Tathgur (women's golf) and secretary Wynter Webb (women's basketball).
"I believe this year, more than any other, it was important to recognize all the athletic excellence on and off the field of our Cougars," Tathgur said. "For many, this would be our last awards ceremony, so SAAC definitely wanted to make it a memorable one. There was a lot of work that had to be done behind the scenes, but seeing it all come together, in the end, was definitely worth it."
In addition to each team handing out Most Valuable Player and Cougar Choice awards, the department recognized award winners in 12 categories, including the male and female Student-Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Scholar-Athletes of the Year and Rookies of the Year, among others.
"The vision for the Cougar aCATemy awards was formed from the thought of recognizing our students," assistant director for student services and academics
Ahmad Boyd said. "They've been challenged in so many ways this academic year, but continued to show up in the classroom and on the surface of competition. They've truly embodied 'control the controllables.' Although we would have loved to recognize everyone in person for this event, we've learned how to be just as creative virtually. At the end of the day, it's about the students and showing them how much they mean to us at CSU. Looking back on the collaboration with SAAC, input from everyone in our department, and execution of the event, we got better today."
The full roster of award winners are listed below:
2020-21 CSU Departmental Award Winners
Male Student-Athlete of the Year
Kevin Bullington, Men's Golf
Female Student-Athlete of the Year
Yanlis Feliz, Women's Volleyball
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Orelle Bulgin, Men's Track & Field
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Susana Andres, Women's Tennis
Maria del Carmen Acedo Mestre, Women's Soccer
Katarina Dukic, Women's Tennis
Male Rookie of the Year
Pedro Alvarez, Men's Tennis
Female Rookie of the Year
Berenice Almeyda, Women's Volleyball
SAAC Representative of the Year
Hansika Tathgur, Women's Golf
Male Iron Cougar Award
Rahim Burrell, Men's Track & Field
Female Iron Cougar Award
Laura Segues, Women's Basketball
Corey Miggins Cougar Pride Award
Ricordo McKenzie, Men's Track & Field
Coach of the Year
Tanio Trifonov, Women's Volleyball
Staff Member of the Year
Ahmad Boyd, Assistant Director for Student Services and Academics
2020-21 Team Award Winners
MVP- This award is presented to the student-athlete on each respective team the head coach
feels contributed the most to the team during the season, taking into account attitude,
stats, skill and performance.
Cougar's Choice-This award is presented to the student-athlete on each respective team the
head coach feels contributed the most to the team during the season, taking into account
sportsmanship, dedication, improvement and contribution to the team.
Men's Soccer
MVP- Shaquan Reid
Coach's Choice - Jacob Huber
Men's Track & Field
MVP - Olesson Ceslien
Cougar's Choice - Wesley Keith
Women's Track & Field
MVP - Sasskia Wiggan
Cougar's Choice - N'Dia Jackson
Men's Golf
MVP - Kevin Bullington
Cougar's Choice - Isaac Boore
Women's Golf
MVP - Darinka Velazquez
Cougar's Choice - Adriana Gonzalez
Women's Basketball
MVP – Nadia Thorman-McKey
Cougar's Choice - Christina Britter
Men's Basketball
MVP - Xaiver Johnson
Cougar's Choice - Andrew Lewis
Women's Soccer
MVP - Barbara Castellanos
Cougar's Choice - Saige Thor
Women's Volleyball
MVP - Yanlis Feliz
Cougar's Choice - Berenice Almeyda
Men's Tennis
MVP - Pedro Alvarez
Cougar's Choice - Javier Sanchez
Women's Tennis
MVP - TBA
Cougar's Choice - Susana Andres
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