SALEM, Ore. -- The 2024 Bearcat Awards were presented on Tuesday, April 30 at Hudson Concert Hall in the Rogers Music Center. The event honored achievements by the Willamette University Bearcats during the 2023-24 athletic year. Awards were presented to the top athletes and rising stars, as well as to those with outstanding individual performances, exceptional community service, and academic success.
Winners of the J.H. Booth Award and the Jean Williams Award, which honor the top graduating seniors for their leadership, scholarship, and athletic success, were announced. Other top honors included the Julie Abendroth, Ed.D. Professor of the Year Award, Alumnus of the Year Award, and Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award. Members of Willamette's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the 2024 induction class into the Chi Alpha Sigma honorary society also were recognized.
Bearcat Awards Show Replay
Jean Williams Award
The Jean Williams Award is presented annually to the senior women's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism.
Shyla Sato
Honolulu, Hawaii / Mid-Pacific Institute
Volleyball
Other Finalists: Veronica Castille (Triathlon), Kendyl Jennings (Lacrosse), Carolyn Ho (Basketball)
J.H. Booth Award
Presented annually to the senior men's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism.
Jack Boydell
Sonoma, California / Sonoma Valley HS
Basketball
Other Finalists: Jett Starr (Soccer), Jeff Hoffman (Baseball), Simon Kidder (Soccer/Track & Field)
Women's Athlete of the Year
Awarded to a women's student-athlete based on the culmination of their yearly stats and athletic accolades this season.
Carolyn Ho
Parker, Colorado / Ponderosa HS
Basketball
Other Finalists: Lily Bachiochi (Lacrosse), Shyla Sato (Volleyball), Whitley Stepp (Track & Field)
Men's Athlete of the Year
Awarded to a men's student-athlete based on the culmination of their yearly stats and athletic accolades this season.
Jeff Hoffman
Salida, California / Joseph A. Gregori HS
Baseball
Other Finalists: Andrew Kabacy (Tennis), La'akea Like (Football), Cole Lindberg (Swimming)
Women's Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a women's student-athlete for their exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.
Whitley Stepp
Silverton, Oregon / Regis HS
Track & Field
Other Finalists: Anika Groener (Tennis), Elyse Waldal (Basketball), Emma Porter (Volleyball)
Men's Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a men's student-athlete for their exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.
Josiah Frank
Turlock, California / John H. Pitman HS
Basketball
Other Finalists: Tassos Foster (Baseball), Drew Alexander (Soccer), Cole Lindberg (Swimming)
Women's Individual Service Award
Awarded to a women's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus -- Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.
Veronica Castille
Round Rock, Texas / Cedar Ridge HS
Triathlon
Other Women's Finalist: Jasmine Shigeno (Basketball), Sophia Lucio (Softball), Jamie Haysman Boaler (Soccer)
Men's Individual Service Award
Awarded to a men's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus -- Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.
Nolan Wright
Fall City, Washington / Mount Si HS
Track & Field
Other Men's Finalists: Nate Hamburger (Baseball), Raymond Pasay (Football), Will LaDuca (Swimming)
Women's Newcomer of The Year
Awarded to a womens' first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.
Riga Grubis
Fairbanks, Alaska / West Valley HS
Triathlon
Elyse Waldal
Snohomish, Washington / Glacier Peak HS
Basketball
Other Finalists: Jay Schiflett (Lacrosse), Tessa Ciatti (Swimming)
Men's Newcomer of The Year
Awarded to a men's first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.
Gabriel Herrera
San Jose, California / Adrian C. Wilcox HS
Football
Roan Bashioum
Salem, Oregon / North Salem HS
Track & Field
Other Finalists: Nate Schikore (Baseball), Nicholas Moore (Swimming)
Women's Academic Team of the Year
Awarded to the women's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.
Cross Country
Other Women's Finalists: Softball, Soccer, Track and Field, Triathlon
Men's Academic Team of the Year
Awarded to the men's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.
Tennis
Other Men's Finalists: Cross Country, Swimming, Track and Field
Women's Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards
Awarded to a women's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The men's and women's senior student-athletes who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receive this award.
Kendyl Jennings
Keizer, Oregon / McNary HS
Lacrosse
Men's Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards
Awarded to a men's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The men's and women's senior student-athletes who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receive this award.
Will Mathews
St. Louis Park, Minnesota / St. Louis Park HS
Swimming
SAAC Bearcat Cup
Competition for the Bearcat Cup is designed to increase school spirit by Willamette student-athletes and to encourage participation on campus and in Salem. Points are awarded to teams for attending home and away games, participating in community service, attending non-athletics campus events, and attending Athletic Department events. The team with the highest point total wins the Bearcat Cup.
Softball
Julie Abendroth, Ed.D., Professor of the Year
In memory of Professor Julie Abendroth, whose dedication to Willamette student-athletes was not limited to the classroom. She was a mentor and a friend of our student-athletes.
Presented by the Willamette Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to a Willamette University professor demonstrating devotion to the pursuit of excellence by our student-athletes in both academics and athletics.
Colin Birkhead
Assistant Professor of Management
Alumnus of the Year
Presented by the Willamette University coaches in honor of an alumnus who demonstrates a lifelong connection and commitment to Bearcat Athletics, its coaches and its student-athletes.
Mike Hmura '89
PT Northwest
Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award
Presented by the Willamette University coaches in memory of Sue Rauch, a dedicated member of the Willamette community, whose continuous support and commitment served a vital role in the success of the Bearcat Athletics Department, its coaches and its student-athletes.
Joe Cooper
Groundskeeper
