Video highlights: Year in Review
SAN FRANCISCO –
USF's student-athletes were lauded for outstanding achievements on the field, classroom and in the community at the Third Annual Hilltop Awards which were held Sunday night in Memorial Gymnasium. Director of Alumni Engagement Jay Dillon served as master of ceremonies for the event which featured moving tributes, highlight videos and special recognitions.
Elena Burkard, the Dons' top finisher at the NCAA Women's Cross Country Championships and Under-23 German Cross Country Champion, was named the recipient of the Anne Dolan Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award while
Bradley Zimmer, who ranks among the WCC leaders in virtually every offensive category for baseball, received the Bill Russell Award as the school's top male athlete.
Burkard, a sophomore from Baiersbronn, Germany, helped the women's cross country team achieve its first-ever top-10 ranking in the fall, as the Dons ascended to No. 10 in the nation following a third place finish at the Notre Dame Invitational. She was the first Dons' runner across the line at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., finishing 53
rd. Burkard also set a new school record in the 5,000 meters at the Stanford Invitational in April. In addition to her accomplishments at USF, she is quickly gaining stature in the international running circles, having captured the Under-23 German Cross Country Championship in March.
A consensus preseason All-America selection, Zimmer ranks near the top in virtually every offensive category in the WCC. A projected first round pick in next month's First Year Player Draft, he currently leads the Dons in batting, hits, runs scored, triples, home runs and total bases. Zimmer was also a standout on Team USA's Collegiate Baseball Team last summer.
Rebecca Kopilovitch (women's volleyball) and
Zack Turner (baseball) were presented with the Four Pillars Awards, given annually to a male and female senior student-athlete who attains the highest standards of athletic performance, academic achievement, community service and leadership.
Cole Dickerson and
Alexa Hardick of the men's and women's basketball teams were presented with the inaugural Dante Benedetti Awards which honor a male and female student-athlete who serve as an inspiration to their teammates through their unwavering sense of loyalty, self-sacrifice, unselfishness, positive attitude and hard work.
Kruize Pinkins (basketball) and
Bridget Dahlberg (women's cross country) received the Newcomer of the Year Awards. Pinkins finished as the Dons third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder as he helped the Dons to a 21-win season and a berth in the National Invitation Tournament. Dahlberg, who enrolled at USF after completing her undergraduate degree at Boston College, finished first at the WCC Championships helping the Dons to their fifth straight conference title. She finished seventh against one the nation's strongest fields at the Notre Dame Invitational and was the team's second finisher at the NCAA Championships.
Whitney Swain (volleyball) was presented with the inaugural Stephen Privett, S.J. Award, which will be given annually to a USF student-athlete who has demonstrated commitment to a higher standard of learning and social justice for their outstanding work in the community. A senior from Elk Grove, Calif., Swain organized the Harper for Kids Sportsmanship Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Day's Dig Pink event. She also took a leading role in organizing the Best Buddy Games, the department's spring clothing drive and career fair for student-athletes. She has also spent this past year as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
The award honors Stephen A. Privett, S.J., whose 14-year tenure as USF's President was defined by his commitment to "whole person education" and social justice. Under his leadership, making the world a better place is at the core of every USF curriculum.
In one of the most moving moments of the evening, the department paid tribute to members of USF's "Undefeated, Untied and Uninvited" football team with the presentation of the inaugural Spirit of '51 Award. While the team's season with one decision, the story of the '51 Dons is perhaps the greatest symbolic victory in the history of college athletics.
Featuring three future Hall of Famers and eight players who would earn Pro Bowl recognition, the '51 Dons were one of the finest teams in the country. After finishing the regular season with a 9-0 record, the Dons merited plenty of bowl consideration – but the invitation came under the condition the team would leave its two African-American players – Burl Toler and Ollie Matson – at home.
The team chose honor over glory, friendship over victory and unanimously rejected the conditional invitation.
The Spirit of '51 Award which will be presented annually to a USF team that embodies success both on the field and in the classroom while creating leaders who are ready to make an impact of the world.
'51 Dons teammates Bill Henneberry, Bob St. Clair, Roy Bruna, Dick Colombini, Joe Arenivar and Bob Springer were on hand to present the award to
Nino Giarratano's Diamond Dons' baseball team.
Pitcher
Abe Bobb (3.79; international studies) and
Sarah Pearson (4.0; education) from women's cross country were presented with the Charles Harney Awards, which are presented to the male and female student-athletes who compiled the highest cumulative grade point average during their USF careers.
The first-ever Athletic Performance Carpe Diem Awards were presented to
Malina Terrell (volleyball) and
Liam Kelly (men's soccer) for their outstanding commitment to utilizing the resources of strength, conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition and mental performance to enhance and maximize their athletic performance.
Swain (volleyball) was recognized for her outstanding work and dedication as USF's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president, USF dance team members
Alisha Alvarez and
Ally Mateik were also honored, as was USF band member
Molly Smith.
The San Francisco RBI program honored
Sean Gomes (cross country/track),
Kelsey Moe (women's soccer),
Sam Granoff (baseball) and Terrell (volleyball) with its Volunteer of Excellence Awards for their efforts in tutoring and mentoring young children at KIPP and Cobb Elementary schools.
In addition to the departmental awards, each program presented two awards to deserving team members for various contributions during the course of the year.
