Tulsa’s Top Student-Athletes Recognized at 21st Annual Golden ‘Cane Awards Gala
4/26/2016 8:21:00 PM | Tulsa Hurricane
The 21st Annual Golden 'Cane Awards Gala honored The University of Tulsa's top student-athletes Tuesday night. A crowd of over 850 gathered for the Grammy Awards-type Ceremony at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on the TU campus.
The top awards were given to TU's "Ultimate Team" members, while the Wilson Holloway Ultimate Service Award, Outstanding Team Community Service Award, Warren garrison Academic Excellence Award, Faculty Member of the Year Award, the Dan Bitson Courage Award, the Faculty Athletic Board Classroom Grit Award and the Athletes Supporting Athletes Award were also presented.
The "Ultimate Team" honors those student-athletes who, during the current academic year, have exemplified those qualities and characteristics that are consistent with the missions and values of The University of Tulsa. The qualities and characteristics considered include academic success, campus involvement, community outreach, athletic participation and other areas of student involvement.
The "Ultimate Team" members for the 2015-16 academic year was made up of nine student-athletes, including Derrick Alexander (Football), Bradley Bourgeois (Soccer), Marissa Catalanotto (Rowing), Ashley Clark (Basketball), Shaquille Harrison (Basketball) Tim Rackers (CC/Track & Field) Katy Riojas (Soccer), Jocelyn Sheffield (Softball) and Isaac Sanders (Track & Field).
Riojas, a recent recipient of the NCAA's Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Award, is a repeat selection to the Ultimate Team.
The Wilson Holloway "Ultimate Service" award was established in order to recognize the efforts of student support staff for service to the teams and student-athletes. The selection of this individual is based on academic success, campus involvement, community outreach, service-oriented participation in athletics or other areas of student involvement. This year, the honoree was football student manager Ashton Billeter.
Tulsa football student-athletes, Zik Asiegbu and Darrell Williams, were recognized as Dan Bitson Courage Award winners. The award, which was established in 1992 in the name of former TU football standout Dan Bitson (1986-91), is presented annually to the TU student-athlete who exemplifies courage, perseverance and tenacity for overcoming adversity. Bitson fought back from severe injuries suffered in an automobile accident in 1989 and returned to the football field in 1991.
Both Asiegbu and Williams suffered injuries that threatened each of their football playing careers.
As a sophomore, Asiegbu was involved in an automobile accident as he suffered knee damage resulting in LCL and PCL tears, a broken jaw and concussion that caused him to miss the entire 2012 season. Prior to the 2013 football season Williams suffered a dislocated knee in fall camp, tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL.
They each returned to the field and turned in valuable contributions in their final years of eligibility.
The Warren Garrison Academic Excellence Award, presented in honor of TU's first academic advisor and given to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average, has two winners this year. Both winners, Katy Riojas from women's soccer and Kelsey Parks from volleyball, have compiled perfect 4.0 GPAs. Riojas majored in mechanical engineering and Parks will earn her bachelor's degree in Biology. The Faculty Member of the Year, voted on by the student-athletes, is Applied Instructor in Spanish, Marta Chamorro.
The Faculty Athletic Board Classroom Grit Award, which recognizes one female and one male graduating senior student-athlete who has faced the rigors of TU classes with extraordinary commitment and effort, went to softball athlete Jodi Edmiston and football's Trent Martin, who will return for his 5th season of eligibility in 2016.
The Athletes Supporting Athletes Award went to the team recognized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) that attends the most sporting events in support of their fellow student-athletes throughout the year. The inaugural winning TU team is the Golden Hurricane Volleyball Team.
For turning in a total of 2,705 volunteer hours for an average of 51.04 hours per student-athlete in 2015-16, the Rowing Team was the recipient of the Outstanding Team Community Service Award.
2015-16 SPECIAL AWARDS
Ultimate Team Members (awarded to student-athletes based on academic success, campus involvement, community outreach and athletic participation)
Derrick Alexander, Football
Bradley Bourgeois, Men's Soccer
Marissa Catalanotto, Rowing
Ashley Clark, Women's Basketball
Shaquille Harrison, Men's Basketball
Tim Rackers, Cross Country/Track & Field
Katy Riojas, Women's Soccer
Isaac Sanders, Track & Field
Jocelyn Sheffield, Softball
Wilson Holloway Ultimate Service Award (recognize the efforts of student support staff for service to the teams and student-athletes)
Ashton Billeter, Football
Dan Bitson Courage Award (presented to the TU student-athlete who exemplifies courage, perseverance and tenacity for overcoming adversity)
Zik Asiegbu, Football
Darrell Williams, Football
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Faculty Member of the Year Award (selected by the TU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee)
Marta Chamorro, Applied Instructor of Spanish
Warren Garrison Academic Excellence Award (presented to student-athletes who have maintained 4.0 cumulative GPA)
Kelsey Parks, Volleyball
Katy Riojas, Women's Soccer
Athletes Supporting Athletes Award (team that attends the most sporting events in support of their fellow student-athletes)
Volleyball
Outstanding Team Community Service (team with the most community service hours)
Rowing
Faculty Athletic Board Classroom Grit Award (awarded to one male and one female graduating senior student-athlete who has faced the rigors of TU classes with extraordinary commitment and effort)
Jodi Edmiston, Softball
Trent Martin, Football
2015-16 INDIVIDUAL SPORT AWARD WINNERS
Men's Basketball
James Woodard, Offensive Player of the Year
Shaquille Harrison, Defensive Player of the Year
Women's Basketball
Ashley Clark, Offensive Player of the Year
Te'era Williams, Defensive Player of the Year
Women's & Men's Cross Country
Rachel Baptista, Female Athlete of the Year
Mark Scott, Male Athlete of the Year
Football
Keyarris Garrett, Offensive Player of the Year
Michael Mudoh, Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Derrick Luetjen, Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Matt Hickman, Special Teams Player of the Year
Men's Golf
Jack Knoesel, Golfer of the Year
Women's Golf
Nadia Majidizadeh, Golfer of the Year
Women's Rowing
Sarah Ringler, Team MVP
Emalia Seto, Team MVP
Men's Soccer
Juan Sebastian Sanchez, Offensive Player of the Year
Bradley Bourgeois, Defensive Player of the Year
Women's Soccer
Rachel Thun, Offensive Player of the Year
Roman Edwards, Defensive Player of the Year
Softball
Maggie Withee, Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Shelby Estocado, Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Caitlin Sill, Defensive Player of the Year
Men's Tennis
Carlos Bautista, Most Valuable Player
Women's Tennis
Renata Kuricova, Most Valuable Player
Men's Track & Field
Bryce Robinson, Indoor Athlete of the Year
Bryce Robinson, Outdoor Athlete of the Year
Women's Track & Field
Stacie Taylor, Indoor Athlete of the Year
Audrey Jean-Baptiste, Outdoor Athlete of the Year
Volleyball
Erica Bohannon, Offensive Player of the Year
Brooke Berryhill, Defensive Player of the Year
2015-16 ULTIMATE TEAM BIOS
Senior DERRICK ALEXANDER was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the Golden Hurricane. A double major, Derrick will graduate next month with a Business Management/Finance degree, and leaves TU having played in the 2012 AutoZone Liberty Bowl and 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl. He was credited with 132 career tackles, 35 TFLs and 20 quarterback sacks in his career. In addition to his many accomplishments on the field and in the classroom, Derrick is involved in the community through his participation in the North Mabee Football camp, United Methodist Church Food Drive, and Feed My Starving Children food packing program.
Senior men's basketball player SHAQUILLE HARRISON has been a regular in TU's starting lineup since his freshman year. This past season, Shaq was a second-team all-conference performer and was named the American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year, all while leading the Golden Hurricane to their second NCAA Tournament appearance in four years. In addition to his athletic success, Shaq has been involved in numerous community outreach events including Lift Up America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and Kendall-Whittier Reading Partners. Shaq will graduate next month with a 3.14 GPA in business administration.
Senior women's soccer student-athlete and team captain KATY RIOJAS maintains a 4.0 GPA in mechanical engineering, and last year was a recipient of the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. In addition, earlier this month Katy was named one of two recipients of the NCAA's Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, which recognizes student-athletes combining the best elements of mind and body to achieve national distinction for their achievements and to be future leaders in their chosen field of career service. Following graduation next month, Katy will continue her education at Vanderbilt for a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Senior BRADLEY BOURGEOIS is a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain of the men's soccer team. During his four years at TU, Bradley lead his team to three conference titles, including back-to-back American Athletic Conference Championships in 2014 and 2015, as well as three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Off the pitch, Bradley maintains a 3.042 GPA in finance, and was named to the 2014-15 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. He is currently with Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo.
Senior TIM RACKERS maintains a 3.96 GPA while double majoring in mechanical engineering and Spanish, all while competing for the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. In competition, Tim has been on Golden Hurricane cross-country teams that have won three conference championships and made four appearances at the NCAA Championship. When he's not outrunning the competition, Tim is involved with the TU Newman Center, Habitat for Humanity, and reading partners program at San Miguel Middle School.
Women's basketball senior ASHLEY CLARK is a four-year letterwinner and starter, and maintains a 3.286 GPA in exercise & sports science. On the court, Ashley leaves as the program's leader in games played, second in field goals made, and third in both points scored and double-doubles, all while leading her team to two postseason appearances. Off the basketball court, Ashley led a shoe drive for the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, and regularly volunteers with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and Sequoyah Elementary School reading tutor program.
A senior from Moore, Oklahoma, Track & Field student-athlete ISAAC SANDERS is a two-time conference champion as a member of the Men's Distance Medley Relay team. Off the track, Isaac is very active on the TU campus, including participation in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Association of Black Collegians, Students Alliance for Violence Education, and United Campus Ministries. Outside of campus, Isaac is heavily involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, We The People, YMCA/YWCA, and the Clean Up North Tulsa project. Rowing senior MARISSA CATALANOTTO is a four-year letterwinner and maintains a 3.86 GPA in biochemistry and pre-med. On the water, Marissa represented the United States and TU last summer in the World University Games in South Korea, and last season captured a silver medal at the American Athletic Conference Championship in the 2nd Varsity 8. Off the water, Marissa serves as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and volunteers with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and Day Spring Villa Domestic Violence Shelter. After graduating next month, Melissa will attend medical school at St. George's University in Grenada.
Softball senior JOCELYN SHEFFIELD carries a 3.96 GPA and will graduate next month as a triple major in International Business, Spanish, and Management Information Systems. On the field, she is the starting first baseman and is batting .253 with 4 home runs and 24 RBI in 36 games. Along with her studies and softball experience, Jocelyn has been involved with several campus organizations and activities including representing TU as an Orientation Leader. In addition, she also volunteers at Kendall Whittier, serves on the Teachers for Excellence award selection committee, and was a worship band-leader for Chi Alpha campus ministries. Currently, she is a member of the Women in Business Club and La Tertulia, the Spanish-language club here on campus.
