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SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos Department of Athletics hosted its fifth-annual Student-Athlete Awards and Hall of Fame Celebration on Thursday evening at the brand-new University Student Union Grand Ballroom, recognizing the accomplishments of its student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom.

Kaycee Gunion, a member of the women's soccer team from 2008 through 2011, was inducted as the seventh member of the school's Athletics Hall of Fame. Gunion was the first CSUSM student-athlete to be named NAIA All-America in all four of her seasons on campus.

The night started off with a casual catered Mr. Taco dinner in the foyer of the Grand Ballroom. Student-athletes, invited guests, coaches and administrators mingled throughout the USU, taking advantage of the photo booth in one of the building's meeting rooms.

The ceremony got underway with a drum performance by men's basketball player Quincy Lawson and Michael Sandoval.
 
Then, Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo listed the numerous accolades and feats of the 2013-14 school year. Milo noted that the most important accomplishment was that 50 percent of CSUSM's over 300 student-athletes have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Milo was followed by University President Karen Haynes. Dr. Haynes discussed the importance of a strong athletic department and expressed excitement over the prospect of moving to NCAA Division II and building a multipurpose arena on campus.

Associate Director of Athletics Todd Snedden handed out the academic awards. Nine student-athletes received the Mangrum Award for Academic Excellence by having a 4.0 GPA during the 2013 school year. The softball team won the Highest Team GPA Award for having a cumulative GPA of 3.34.

For the first time, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) handed out three awards. The winners were decided by a student-athlete vote before the ceremony. Men's basketball took home Team of the Year, women's volleyball head coach Andrea Leonard was named Coach of the Year, and men's and women's soccer was award the Spirit Cup.
 
Head cross country and track & field coach Steve Scott awarded senior harrier Western Nelson with the Male Athlete of the Year Award. Nelson, who couldn't make the event because he was competing at the Mt. Sac Invite, taped a thank you speech that was played before the 300+ people in attendance.

Coach Leonard and women's softball head coach Laurie Nevarez came on stage to honor the Co-Female Athletes of the Year, Alyssa Foster (volleyball) and Alex Miller (softball).

Miller and SAAC President Kelly Skvarna then announced the graduating senior student athletes, who were sashed by Milo and Dr. Haynes.

Director of Athletic Development Sean Briner announced the winner of the two-year lease for the 2014 MINI Cooper, courtesy of MINI OF ESCONDIDO. Student-athletes and members of the athletic department sold raffle tickets for over eight months in order to raise money for athletic scholarships. The winner was men's and track and field athlete Brett Goudy, who was in class when his name was announced.

Men's and women's soccer head coach Ron Pulvers then came on to induct Gunion into the CSUSM Athletics Hall of Fame. Gunion addressed the crowd to cap-off the evening, commenting on the growth of the department and the opportunities she's been granted due to the fact that she played soccer at CSUSM. More information on Gunion's entry into the CSUSM Athletics Hall of Fame can be viewed here.

Bradley Seidenglanz, former men's soccer player, hosted the event for the second year in a row.