Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Host 8th Annual Night of Champions Gala
5/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
FRESNO, Calif. -Fresno State celebrated the accomplishments of its student-athletes during the 2014-15 academic year on Monday night with the eighth annual "Night of Champions" Gala.
The evening recognized all student-athletes for their academic achievements, athletic accomplishments and community service involvement over the past year. Headlining the award winners were DevinHarrisonfrom track and field andBrenna Moss who were named the "Bulldogs of the Year." Harrison is a three-time NCAA qualifier and two-time Mountain West champion in the long jump, while Moss was the Preseason Mountain West Player of the Year and has led the Bulldogs to its current first-place position in the conference with one series to play.
The evening started off with a Red Carpet entrance for the student-athletes before being served dinner while coaches, staff, BDF members and boosters mingled.
"Night of Champions" hosts --Ejiroe Ederainefrom football Holly Cisneros from lacrosse - kicked the evening off with an opening act followed by the 2014-15 season highlight video.
The first award of the evening, the Director of Athletics' Team Award for community service, went to the Bulldog softball team who put in more than 1,000 hours of service to the San Joaquin Valley. The next honor presented was the 2014 George Ilg Newcomer of the Year Award that went toChad Olsen of football and Maiar Sherif Ahmed of women's tennis.
After recognizing the 51 student-athletes who were selected to the fall academic all-conference team and the 154 members of the dean's list for having a 3.5 GPA or higher, athletic training scholarships were presented. Sara Hart and Christian Maldonado were both presented with the Dr. Thomas Thaxter Memorial Scholarship that is given to the outstanding senior athletic training student who shows excellence in both academic and clinical work. The Dr. Kennedy and Friends Scholarship, given each year to a first year training student who displays compassion, teamwork and leadership qualities, was awarded to Jose Salvador. In the last award for members of the athletic training staff, the Dr. Birger Johnson Memorial Scholarship was given to Riho Okamura.
The Paul Schechter Courage Award that is presented annually to two outstanding student-athletes who have overcome a physical challenge to become a champion was then presented.The first recipient was Kiley Shae Aldridge from softball. In the second game of her senior season, the pitcher re-tore the same ACL she injured in 2013. Instead of opting for season-ending surgery that would have ended her career, she chose to modify her workouts, and be taped and wear brace so she could play out the remainder of the season. The second Courage Award was given to Anne Susdorf of women's tennis. The senior fractured her kneecap vertically during the fall and doctors had predicted that her season would be over. She was told that she would be able to walk in February and start hitting balls in April, but she put in countless hours of rehab and was able to come back and enjoy a successful senior season, going 14-4 in singles matches.
The next honors went to the conference team champions (equestrian), and student-athletes who won conference championships were then recognized. Champions include Je'Nia Sears (women's track and field), 4x400 relay team of Dezirae Johnson, Kyra Johnson, Njeri Omawahleh and Je'Nia Sears (women's track and field) and Devin Harrison (men's track and field).
In our third season in the Mountain West, 33 Bulldogs earned all-conference honors. Also earning All-America honors were Taylor Brown (equestrian), Chad Olsen (football) and Rachel Williams (equestrian). 10 Bulldogs also represented Fresno State at the NCAA Championships; Caitlin Byrd (women's track and field), Dezirae Johnson (women's track and field), Kyra Johnson (women's track and field), Meagan McKee (women's track and field), Njeri Omawahleh (women's track and field) Je'Nia Sears (women's track and field), Roderick Dash (men's track and field), Devin Harrison (men's track and field), Kevin Poythress (men's track and field) and Brice Sandri (men's track and field), Madchen Ly (women's golf) and Sophie Watts (women's tennis).
This year, the CLUB RED Bulldog Spirit Award, was presented toDanielle Powers from the swimming and diving team and Garrett Mundell from the baseball team.
The Harold Haak Memorable Moment Award recognized the best singular highlights or performances of the year, which honoredShauqunna Collins for her game-winning shot at Wyoming and the men's basketball team for its win over No. 25 San Diego State.
Fresno State closed the evening by honoring its senior class and presenting them with a Fresno State Athletics sash for the upcoming Commencement Ceremony on May 16.
Players Mentioned
