Annually, Aztec Recreation-Sport Clubs celebrates the success and achievements of the Sport Club Program. The Annual Sport Club Awards recognizes teams and individuals for their outstanding athleticism, academics, sports performance and adherence to the mission and values of the program.
2019-20
OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AWARD
Summer Northrop
DANCE
Summer is the epitome of a scholar athlete. Her Dance Club competed for and won the National Hip Hop dance competition at Nationals this year for the first time in club history. Academically, she similarly strives to be head of the class. She consistently achieves a 4.0 GPA and earns a spot on the Dean’s List every semester. She also serves as a teaching assistant for an anatomy course on campus and was accepted to the Weber Honors College as a freshman. Her Dance peers and her academic instructor recommended her for this award. She maintains one of the most difficult academic schedules on campus, while contributing to one of the most successful Sport Clubs at San Diego State University.
This award is presented to the sport club athlete who has excelled in their respective sport and consistently demonstrated academic excellence along with campus involvement.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Waterski & Wakesports
The SDSU Waterski and Wakesport Club epitomized team effort over the last year. The team worked collaboratively to purchase a brand new wakeboard boat that will offer an opportunity for club members to take an active role in expanding the wakesports side of their club. Additionally, they found success in competitions as well. The team placed second in their regional competition and moved on to a tenth place finish at nationals. They also boasted a second place finish in the team spirit award at nationals, demonstrating just how much fun the team had over the course of the year. They featured 30 new members on the team this year and a massive increase in water time as well.
This award is presented to the team who has positively represented SDSU sport clubs, has excellent sportsmanship rapport, and has succeeded in competition performance.
SPORT CLUB OF THE YEAR
Dance
Dance earns this award this year for all their consistent efforts. The team prides itself on academic success coupled with relenting practice schedules and an expectation to compete at the highest level at competitions. This year, they competed at the UDA College Dance Championships and won their first national title in the D1A Hip Hop category. They represented Aztec Recreation-Sport Clubs and San Diego State University and brought home one of the most prestigious awards in their respective sport. On top of their national success, the club is also noted for their dedication to community service with significant monetary donations to Aztecs Rock Hunger and donation of their time to local 5k runs and blood drives.
This award is presented to the sport club team who has met all the standards of the sport clubs program mission statement and continuously takes great strides to improve their sport club team.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jason Merrill
RUGBY
His players note Jason for his positivity and taking an active role with the Rugby Club at San Diego State University. An alumnus of the program, Merrill made quite an impression on the boys in his first year of coaching this team. The players note he’s willing to help in every aspect of the club. From helping setup the alumni game to communicating transparently with the team, no task is too small for the coach of this Rugby club. Jason is often in the Sport Club offices making sure the club is meeting their requirements and his players are taking care of the administration of the club. He helps to ensure the officers can meet their deadlines, and he’s noted for being a true leader of the team.
This award is presented to a coach who has proven to be a strong leader and positive role model both on and off the field while making significant contributions towards the sport club program.
DARCY BINGHAM EMERGING LEADER OF THE YEAR
Zak Chaudhry
TRIATHLON
Zak has a reputation as a Jack-of-all-trades amongst his peers. This year, he served as a team captain for the Triathlon team. As the captain, Zak turned what is traditionally an individual sport into a team effort. He was noted for his enthusiasm and encouragement during team workouts, pushing his teammates to achieve some of the best success to date with the club. As the semester wore on, the club found themselves in need of a Treasurer. Zak took on the role without hesitation, teaching himself the necessary skills to track and implement the budgeting strategies of his club. Zak is an exemplary leader for not only his club, but the entire Sport Club program.
This award is presented to a returning sport club athlete who has proven to be a leader by making significant contributions to their club or the sport club program on and off the field.
BOB BINGHAM TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR
Colin Knight
WATERSKI & WAKESPORTS
Colin exemplified the term ‘Lead by Example’ during the 2019-2020 academic year. He leads a team in excess of 40 members through a course of paperwork, hosting an event in San Diego, and coordinating travel to a multitude of away tournaments. Colin managed the purchase of a new wake sports boat for the future of his team. Past and future officers for the club point to Colin as an exemplary leader in everything he does. They noted it doesn’t matter what activity he’s completing for the team, he does so with a smile and a passion for solidifying the future of the team. His peers praise him for a dedication to fostering friendships among the team and creating a family atmosphere for all to enjoy. Congratulations to Colin on being named Bob Bingham Team Leader of the Year.
This award is presented to the sport club athlete who has significantly contributed unselfishly of themselves to their respective sport club team.
BINGHAM SPORT CLUB LEADER OF THE YEAR
Natalie Hoffman
SKI & SNOWBOARD
Natalie served the Sport Clubs program in a number of ways during the 2019-2020 academic year. She served her Ski and Snowboard club of over 80 athletes as a Race Coordinator and Vice President; two jobs that would alone fill just about any student’s time. She also competed at a high level ranking in the top 10 of her discipline at Nationals in Lake Placid. Arguably however, her greatest impact to the program came as the Executive President of Sport Clubs this year. She lead Sport Club Council meetings and ensured all 21 clubs were keeping up with the IRA finance requirements and developed engagement opportunities for clubs to interact with each other on a regular basis. Her fellow club officers noted her ability to wear multiple hats and serve everyone at a high level was exceptionally commendable.
This award is presented to the sport club officer who has significantly contributed unselfishly of themselves not only to their respective sport club team, but to the sport club program as a whole.
OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARD
Erin Fink
WOMEN’S WATER POLO
Her coach and teammates consider Erin as the hardest working player on the women’s water polo club team. She consistently stays after practice to work on her skills and pushes the team in drills and matches. Her dedication to this club saw her play 6 years of collegiate club water polo and finish up the last of her eligibility in 2019, which spanned across an undergraduate and graduate degree program at State. She never stopped putting her maximum effort into this group and her teammates credit her efforts as a main reason they placed third at Nationals last season. There is no doubt she has earned this award, several awards from CWPA, and that third place finish over this course of her tenure at SDSU.
This award is presented to the sport club athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability and talent in their respective sport.
AWARDS
Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award:
Kristen Dunlay
WOMEN’S ULTIMATE
tim jannissee
CYCLING
Danielle Shapiro
DANCE
Alyssa Moscrop
DANCE
Mark Slader
MEN'S ULTIMATE
Leilani Jones
WOMEN'S ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Brett Hall
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Marrisa Shaw
SURF
Nicole Hakim
SKI & SNOWBAORD
Kristin Tolbert
WATERSKI
Melissa Feaver
DANCE
Ashley Brown
DANCE
Case van Genuchten
SKI & SNOW
Keith Fleming
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
James Lindland
MEN'S CREW
Mike Irvine
MEN'S ULTIMATE
Jeff High
MEN'S LACROSSE
Krystle Llanto
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Kevin Pendleton
RUGBY
Team of the Year:
Men’s Volleyball
waterski & wakeboard
Men's Water Polo
Men's Water Polo
Women's Water Polo
Women's Lacrosse
Men's Soccer
Women's Soccer
Dance
Dance
Surf
Ice Hockey
Women's Soccer
Ice Hockey
Dance
Water Ski
Women's Soccer
Women's Soccer
Rugby
Rugby
Sport Club of the Year:
Ski & Snowboard
DANCE
Ski & Snow
Dance
Men's Water Polo
Women's Water Polo
Women's Volleyball
Surf Team
Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey
Dance
Dance
Women's Lacrosse
Women's Lacrosse
Men's Crew
Women's Soccer
Water Ski
Men's Crew
Men's Lacrosse
Women's Soccer
Coach of the Year:
Dave Christensen
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
JESSE FOSS
men's Lacrosse
Dave Christensen
Women's Lacrosse
Jamie Cassidy
Women's Water Polo
Larry Sanders
Men's Water Polo
Jamie "Vessey" Cassidy
Women's Water Polo
Tyler Crothers
Women's Ultimate Frisbee
Matt Holman
Men's Lacrosse
Carrie Smith
Dance
David Hough
Ice Hockey
Jessica Walz
Dance
Michael Thiemann
Water Ski
Dan Payne
Rugby
David Hough
Ice Hockey
Ryan Van Biene
Rugby
Andy Olson
Men's Crew
Ross Lenta
Ultimate Frisbe
Kelly Queisser
Women's Lacrosse
John Blessinger
Men's Soccer
Darcy Bingham Emerging Leader of the Year:
Megan McElaney
DANCE
HANNAH KRANZ
SKI & SNOWBOARD
Blake Harmon
Men's Water Polo
Brittany Jagoe
Dance
Meghan Hardiman
Women's Ultimate
Cameron Elliott
Men's Rowing
Amber Schwindler
Women's Ultimate Frisbee
Jeff Mueller
Men's Soccer
Morgan Cook
Women's Soccer
Sharon Gordon
Dance
Kory Helms
Men's Ultimate
Kory Helms
Men's Ultimate
Allex Allphin
Ice Hockey
Nick Greeninger
Surf
Case Van Genuchten
Ski & Snow
Megan Brydges
W. Lacrosse
Brent Wischnack
Men's Crew
Drew Sanders
Men's Lacrosse
Annie Penergast
Women's Soccer
Chris Reynolds
Bowling
Bob Bingham Team Leader of the Year:
Daniella Talento
WOMEN’S WATER POLO
AUSTIN SWITZER
Rugby
Sawyer Thompson
Rugby
Jenny Budd
Tennis
Leilani Jones
Women's Ultimate
Brendan Winbrock
Rugby
Kyle Sessa
Men's Water Polo
Chad Dime
Surf Team
Rachel Julson
Women's Ultimate
Jessica Ranes
Women's Ultimate
Eric Fruen
Ice Hockey
Jenna Walton
Women's Lacrosse
Julianne Haitz
Women's Lacrosse
James Lindland
Men's Crew
Brent Wischnack
Men's Crew
Kristin Johnson
Ski & Snow
Megan O'Dell
Water Ski
Megan O'Dell
Water Ski
Brian Muslusky
Ice Hockey
Al Seiter
Ice Hockey
Bingham Sport Club Leader of the Year:
Gregory Gerardo
TENNIS
MITHALEE THAKKAR
WOMEN'S ULTIMATE
Austin Switzer
Rugby
Mark Slader
Men's Ultimate Frisbee
Kalei Konrad
Rugby
Kyle Sessa
Men's Water Polo
Alyssa Simonsen
Women's Ultimate Frisbee
Kason Fark
Men's Crew
Phillip Wong
Ice Hockey
Phillip Wong
Ice Hockey
Ian Maunsell
Men's Lacrosse
Jackie Shapin
Dance
Laura Temen
Women's Lacrosse
Adam York
Ice Hockey
Megan Brydges
Women's Lacrosse
Megan O'Dell
Water Ski
Kim Blackwell
Water Ski
Stephen Gamp
Men's Lacrosse
Liz Valla
Women's Soccer
Outstanding Athlete Award:
Megan Caufield
WATERSKI & WAKEBOARD
MARK KOLDING
TRIATHLON
Josh Heller
Men's Water Polo
Josh Heller
Men's Water Polo
Nassim Hmeidan
Men's Water Polo
Bailey Wickliffe
Women's Water Polo
Rochell Berwick
Dance
Robert Morris
Waterski/Wakeboard
Doug van Mierlo
Surf
Alex Ross
Rugby
Cassidy Runyan
Women's Soccer
Morgan Medove
Ski & Snow
Lindsay Young
Women's Soccer
Vincent Ciolino
Ice Hockey
April McCanne
Ski & Snow
Molly Schmelzle
Cycling
Jeff High
Men's Lacrosse
Greg Smith
Rugby
Kristi Rogers
Women's Soccer
Kim Blackwell
Water Ski
Heath Alojado
Wrestling
OHANA Spirit Award:
Women's Ultimate Frisbee
Women's Ultimate Frisbee
Dance
Ice Hockey
Women's Ultimate
Women's Lacrosse
Women's Lacrosse