UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) recently hosted “The Nittanys” for the 38th-consecutive year. The event is a celebration of excellence in Penn State Athletics and was held at Pegula Ice Arena.
More than 40 Penn State student-athletes and several teams were recognized for their academic, athletic and community engagement achievements in an awards-style format. The event, which was sponsored by Penn State Student-Athlete Welfare & Development, was hosted by Caroline Jurevicius from the national champion Penn State women’s volleyball team.
Team Honors
Milton K. Morgan Jr. Highest Team GPA
The women's gymnastics team was presented with the Milton K. Morgan Jr. Highest Team GPA award for its academic success during the 2024-25 academic year.
Varsity S Club Most Improved GPA
The teams honored for the most improved GPA were men’s tennis and women’s volleyball for their academic improvement in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24.
Individual Honors
Ernest B. McCoy Award
The McCoy Award is named for the longtime Dean of Penn State's College of Physical Education, who also served as the University's athletic director. The award is given to a senior men's and women's student-athlete who has combined successful athletic participation with academic excellence. The honorees of the Ernest B. McCoy award were Tyler Warren (football) and Jess Mruzik (women's volleyball).
True Grit Award
The True Grit award recognizes a male and female student-athlete whose determination, and perseverance in overcoming serious adversity athletically or even personally, stands as a testament to their tremendous character and indomitable spirit. This award is sponsored by the Nittany Lion Club. This year's honorees were Bella Misiura (women’s gymnastics) and Ben Schoen (men’s hockey).
Above and Beyond Mr. & Ms. Penn State
This award was established by SAAB to recognize the contributions of one male and one female senior student-athlete who display the true spirit of "WE ARE" as exemplified by their contributions and inspirations to their respective teams, as well their passion for everything Penn State. Recipients of this award are recognized for the following qualities: caring, encouragement, humility, honesty, humor, kindness, patience and school spirit. This year's award recipients were Drew Taylor (field hockey) and Nick Dawkins (football).
Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award
The Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award was created to recognize Big Ten student-athletes who demonstrate Jackie Robinson’s core values, or “Jackie’s nine”: Courage, Determination, Teamwork, Persistence, Integrity, Citizenship, Justice, Commitment, and Excellence. Specifically, those student-athletes that have made an exceptional effort in impacting their local community through volunteerism, community programing, and/or philanthropy between January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. This year’s recipients from Penn State were Jami Morris (women’s golf) and Dylan Lugris (men’s hockey).
Behind the Scenes Heroes
This award was established by SAAB to recognize individuals who are the embodiment of what it means to be selfless in the service of others, with no expectation of recognition, but are vital to student-athletes success here at Penn State. Katy Pohland, the director of athletic wellness and therapy services, was this year’s recipient.
THON Awards
THON Donor Drive Challenge
This award created by SAAB is in recognition of the team that raised the highest total this year on behalf of THON. The team which raised the most money collectively for THON was field hockey.
THON Individual Highest Total Raised
Elise DeWan (field hockey) was recognized as the student-athlete who individually raised the highest total on behalf of THON
THON Spirit Award
Ellie Hollin (women’s lacrosse) was honored with the THON Spirit Award. This award recognizes a student-athlete whose commitment to bringing awareness and funding to find a cure to end pediatric cancer, has been unmatched in their energy, effort and passion for all things THON.
Team Engagement Awards
This award created by SAAB recognizes the teams that participated the most in community service. Overall, 10 teams were honored: women’s golf, field hockey, women’s ice hockey, women’s swimming and diving, men’s soccer, men’s gymnastics, men’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, men’s volleyball, and baseball.