BERKELEY – Members of the Cal men's basketball team made a stready trek to the podium at the annual Academic Honors Luncheon Monday at the Field Club in Memorial Stadium.
As a group, the Bears received the Big C Most Improved Team Award for having the greatest GPA improvement among Cal's 30 intercollegiate athletic teams.
Individually, Tyrone Wallace won the Tom Hansen Conference Medal as the Bears' top senior male student-athlete, and Brenden Glapion earned the Neufeld Award for having the highest GPA among all male graduating student-atheltes.
The primary focus of the event, co-sponsored by the Athletic Study Center and the Big C Society, is to recognize student-athletes for their achievements in the classroom, in competition and in the community, with award presentations ranging from highest GPA to exemplifying Golden Bear Spirit to commitments to community service and postgraduate scholarships.
Senior swimmer Rachel Bootsma, a three-time NCAA champion in the 100-yard backstroke and a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, spoke on behalf of all of the student-athletes and reflected on her successes – and failures – over the past four years and how they have shaped who she is today.
“We are student-athletes representing the University of California, Berkeley, part of a team working together toward a common goal - to excel at a world-class academic institution and in a world-class athletics program,” said Bootsma, winner of the Hansen Medal as the outstanding female senior student-athlete at Cal. “Whether you've been on the team for two years, or whether this is your fourth or fifth or final year, we have worked tirelessly to make our university proud, inspired those around us and achieved things we did not believe was possible.
“I spent the best four years of my life being surrounded by all of you,” she added, “and I feel that I will have this family for the rest of my life.”
The following is a list of all of the award winners:
Golden Bear Team Award
The Golden Bear Team Award is given to the varsity team with the highest cumulative grade-point average. This year's award goes to the sand volleyball team.
Big C Most Improved Team Award
This award, which goes to the team that has made the greatest improvement in the last year relative to its historical grade-point average, goes to men's basketball.
Tom Hansen Conference Medal
The Tom Hansen Conference Medal is awarded annually at each member institution to that university's outstanding senior male and female student-athletes. The determination is based on the exhibition of the greatest combination of performance and achievement in scholarship, athletics and leadership.
Male – Tyrone Wallace (basketball)
Female – Rachel Bootsma (swimming)
Neufeld Scholar-Athlete Awards
The Neufeld Scholar-Athlete Awards are given to the graduating male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade-point averages. The award was established by Cal Hall of Famer William Neufeld Sr. in honor and memory of his son, William Jr., who ran track at Cal before his untimely death in a boating accident.
Male – Brenden Glapion (basketball)
Female – Rachael Acker (swimming)
Pac-12 Postgraduate Scholarships
Created to honor outstanding scholar-athletes intending to pursue graduate studies and awarded by each Pac-12 institution, they include a $9,000 stipend for graduate work.
Kendall Chase – women's rowing
Olivier Siegelaar – men's rowing
Oscar Geballe Postgraduate Scholarships
This award was created through the generosity of Dr. Theodore Geballe to honor his father, Oscar Geballe. It recognizes Oscar Geballe's devotion to Cal and his strong belief in the value of combining scholarship and intercollegiate athletic competition. Since 1981, the Geballe award has helped more than 75 Golden Bears continue their education at the postgraduate level with a $10,000 stipend going to each winner.
Rachael Acker – women's swimming
Alicia Asturias – women's gymnastics
Nicole Beck – lacrosse
Jake Gimbel Prize and Anna Espenschade Award
The Jake Gimbel Prize and Anna Espenschade Award were established in the 1930s and 1987, respectively, to recognize a graduating male and female student-athlete for successful integration of academic and athletic pursuits. The winners of these awards exemplify the true "Golden Bear" spirit.
Male – Josh Prenot (swimming)
Female – Rachael Acker (swimming)
Joseph McDonnell Kavanagh Award
This award, in its sixth year, recognizes the student-athlete who has made exceptional improvement in his or her academic and intellectual pursuits at Cal. The University's motto - Fiat Lux, "Let there be light" - is appropriate for this most academically inspirational athlete award.
Anne Kastler – women's diving
Inger Kavlie – women's rowing
Walter A. Haas Jr. Community Service Award
The Walter A. Haas Jr. Community Service Award was created to honor Walter A. Haas Jr. for his commitment and service to the University and larger community. This award is given annually to a student-athlete for his or her outstanding contribution to community service.
Jesse Kay - baseball
Jonathan and Judy Hoff Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year
The Jonathan and Judy Hoff Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year award recognizes a football student-athlete who has dedicated himself to a holistic approach toward academic, athletic and persona development by demonstrating consistent daily routines, persistent community outreach and collaborative leadership ability.
Jack Austin
Athletic Student Center Scholar-Athlete of the Year
The ASC Scholar-Athlete of the Week program honors a student-athlete for academic development and achievements developed through practice, study habits, course performance and leadership.
Sullivan Parker – men's track & field
Golden Bear Achievement Awards
The Golden Bear Achievement Awards are presented to the student-athlete with the highest GPA on his or her respective team.
