Ceremony Photo Gallery
Photo Booth Gallery

SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos Department of Athletics hosted its 6^th-annual Student-Athlete Awards and Hall of Fame Celebration on Thursday evening at the University Student Union Grand Ballroom to recognize the accomplishments of its student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom.

The night began with a catered Slater's 50/50 dinner in the foyer of the Grand Ballroom. Student-Athletes, invited guests, coaches and administrators mingled throughout the building and took advantage of the photo booth in one of the meeting rooms.

Steve Quis, a local sports radio and TV personality, emceed the event and rallied the crowd when the ceremony began.

The formal presentation started off with pulling the winning ticket for the athletics-department sponsored raffle for a two-year lease of the 2015 MINI Cooper. Student-athletes and department personnel sold tickets throughout the year and raised more than $24,000 to go towards student-athlete scholarships.

Athletics Director of Development Sean Briner was joined by MINI of Escondido's Tom Brecht and Sean Sunda. MINI of Escondido provided the car for the second straight year.

When Brecht pulled the ticket, the winner turned out to be Vanessa Chap, a four-year student-athlete and senior on the women's golf team. Chap was in class during the ceremony and found out about her win via texts from her teammates.

Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo took the stage next and pointed out the numerous accolades and feats of the 2014-15 competitive season. Milo noted that over 52-percent of CSUSM's over 300 student-athletes have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

She also highlighted the fact that CSUSM is in the middle of a significant transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II, and that all the student-athletes and staff involved were playing a prime role in the University's history.

Milo introduced CSUSM President Dr. Karen S. Haynes, who has been extremely active in the athletics department's move towards NCAA Division II.

"We could not have had such a successful year without the support of so many people from the campus community. That support starts right from the top," said Milo. "Without their support and help on numerous projects, we would not be celebrating our achievements this evening.   We are extremely fortunate to have a leader at CSUSM like President Haynes."

"I am proud to pay tribute tonight to a special group of Cougars who inspire and motivate us all," said President Haynes. "Tonight, we behold the most successful year ever in CSUSM Athletics."

Head baseball coach Dennis Pugh presented Austin Coleman, a member of the baseball team from 2008-12, as the eighth member of the school's Athletics Hall of Fame. Coleman is the only CSUSM baseball player to be named NAIA All-America (2012).

Student-Athlete Support Services Coordinator David Nathanson handed out the academic awards. 12 student-athletes received the Mangrum Award for Academic Excellence by having a 4.0 GPA during the 2014 school year. The highest women's team GPA went to the women's cross country team, who posted a 3.2, while the highest men's GPA went to the men's soccer team who put up a 2.99.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) handed out four awards. The winners were decided by a student-athlete vote before the ceremony.

Head cross country and track & field coach Steve Scott was named Coach of the Year, cross country runner Kate Bouvatte took home Female Athlete of the Year, Brandon Bentson was selected as Male Athlete of the Year, and the women's volleyball team took home the Cougar Cup for being the most involved team within the community and showing the most spirit.

SAAC President Mackenzie Harnett and SAAC Vice President Christina Trujillo then announced the graduating senior student-athletes, who were sashed by Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Ben Cherry.

The ceremony concluded with an emotional video package produced by SAAC representative Jason Luu of the men's cross country and track & field teams.

The celebration concluded with a dance under the disco ball in front of the stage.