Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State hosts Ninth Annual Night of Champions gala
5/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | General
Red Carpet Photo Gallery NOC 2016 Photo Gallery FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State celebrated the accomplishments of its student-athletes during the 2015-16 academic year on Monday night with the ninth 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 Marvelle Harris from men's basketball and Jill Compton from softball, who were named the "Bulldogs of the Year."
Harris capped off his senior season by becoming Fresno State's all-time leading scorer, while leading his team to the program's first Mountain West championship. Harris was also named an All-American and MW Player of the Year.
"The award means a lot," Harris said. "It shows that people noticed what you accomplished and the success over the years, and that everybody believed in you, the coaches and other student-athletes. It's a great feeling."
Compton has helped the Bulldogs to a top-20 national ranking and a second-straight conference championship. Last season, she was selected MW Pitcher of the Year and named to the all-region team.
"I've been here since my freshman year and have seen other athletes win this award, and it really means a lot to me. It means a lot to represent the Central Valley," Compton said after winning the award. "There's a lot of great student-athletes here so I'm really humbled by this."
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 -Aaron Peck from football and Caroline Weaver from track and field - kicked the evening off with an opening act that was followed by the 2015-16 season highlight video.
The first award of the evening, the Director of Athletics' Team Award for community service, went to the Bulldog equestrian team who put in nearly 500 hours of service to the San Joaquin Valley. The next honor presented was the George Ilg Newcomer of the Year Award that went to Trevor Clayton of men's golf and Ugne Mazutaityte of swimming and diving.
Omar Partida was presented with the Dr. Dr. Bill Kennedy and Friends Scholarship that is named in honor of the long-time Fresno State team physician. The Dr. Birger Johnson Memorial Scholarship, which is named after Fresno State's first athletic trainer was given to Bethany Warnes. The final athletic trainer award handed out was the Paul Schechter Excellence Award, given to the top athletic training student, went to Asuka Marooka.
The Paul Schechter Courage Award that is presented annually to an outstanding student-athlete who has overcome a physical challenge to become a champion was then presented to Meganne Weissenfels of lacrosse. In May 2014, Weissenfels was in a major car accident while home in the San Diego after finishing up her second year at Fresno State when she suffered a traumatic brain injury that would place her in a medically-induced coma for nine days. Doctors gave her a 10-percent chance of waking up. After waking up, she eventually underwent six weeks of cognitive, occupational and physical therapy. She returned to school in the fall of 2014 would eventually return to the field in during the 2015 season. She recently completed her senior season with the Bulldogs and became Fresno state's all-time leader in goalkeeper wins.
The night's newest award, the Giant Step Academic Award, went to Cezar Guerrero of men's basketball and Lindsay Ruiz of swimming and diving. The award, which is selected by the student-athlete services staff, is presented to individuals who have shown the greatest improvement in the classroom and commitment in overcoming obstacles to obtain their degree.
This year, the CLUB RED Bulldog Spirit Award, was presented to Maggie Eppright from volleyball and Justin Northern of football.
The Harold Haak Memorable Moment Award recognized the best singular highlights or performances of the year. The female recipient was Galina Bykov for earning the clinching the point in the women's tennis team's 4-3 win at No. 9 UCLA, which earned the top a spot in the ITA National Indoor Championship. The male recipient was Julien Lewis of men's basketball team for stealing a pass with 1:35 left in the Mountain West Championship game and sinking the go-ahead 3-pointer.
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 on May 21.
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