MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics Department is proud to release the 15th annual “Celebration of Excellence” virtual awards program on Thursday.
Due to COVID-19, the annual awards program set for April 27 at the SMSU Conference Center, was canceled. Even though the epidemic canceled the NCAA winter championships and nearly the entire spring season, the SMSU Athletics Department was determined to honor our deserving student-athletes.
The “Celebration of Excellence” virtual program, hosted by SMSU Director of Athletics Chris Hmielewski and SMSU Athletic Communications Director Kelly Loft, honored student-athletes that earned awards throughout the past year, including All-NSIC, scholar athletes, national qualifiers, All-American, All-Region, Myles Brand Award honorees, and team MVPs, along with special SMSU faculty and SAAC awards. Nearly 60 SMSU senior student-athletes were recognized as well for their dedication to Mustang Athletics.
The 2019-20 Female and Male Athletes of the Year and the 2019-20 Female and Male Scholar-Athletes of the Year were also announced. The Athlete of the Year voting includes spring sports of 2019 (baseball, women’s golf, softball, men’s and women’s outdoor track & field and women’s tennis) and the fall and winter sports of the 2019-20 athletic year.
Thank you Mustang fans for watching this year’s awards program and supporting and honoring our outstanding SMSU student-athletes. Please stay safe and we can’t wait to see you all in the fall. Let’s Ride!
The Marshall Amateur Regional Sports Hub and Red Baron Arena
