EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The annual "Acespys" was held Wednesday evening on the Universtiy of Evansville campus. The award show recognizes the achievements of Purple Aces student-athletes throughout the 2023-24 seasons.
Before the event, photo booths and other activities were on hand to enhance the experience of the student-athletes during the evening. UE President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, UE Athletics staff members and student-athletes presented the awards. Decorations for the evening were sponsored by L'amour Best Day Events, LLC.
Award winners include:
Director of Athletics Leadership Award – Awarded to the student-athlete who is committed to making the university and everyone involved better while providing leadership in and out of competition
o Gage Bobe – Men's Basketball
Jim Byers Award – Presented to the staff member who exemplifies the characteristics of former UE Athletics Director Jim Byers
o Terry Collins – Associate A.D. – Sports Medicine
For The Aces Award – Given to the student-athlete who is an ambassador for UE and provides positivity and energy for all the teams on campus
o Zach Dove – Track and Field
Best Female Athlete
o Giulia Cardona - Volleyball
Best Male Athlete
o Eric Roberts - Baseball
Moment of the Year
o Kate Petrova – Women's Golf MVC Championship ring ceremony
Male Newcomer of the Year
o Kip Fougerousse - Baseball
Female Newcomer of the Year
o Mia Pasavento – Swimming and Diving
Game of the Year
o Chase Hugg – Baseball – Walk-off grand slam in MVC Championship against Indiana State
Female Freshman of the Year
o Ainoah Cruz - Volleyball
Male Freshman of the Year
o Joshua Hughes – Men's Basketball
Record-Breaking Performance
o Giulia Cardona – Volleyball – 40-kill match
Coach of the Year
o David Ragland – Men's Basketball
Assistant Coach of the Year
o Dustin Bredemeier – Swimming and Diving
Team of the Year
o Baseball
A.C.E.S. Award – Given to student-athlete who embraces and advocates for positive change
o Paige Radel – Women's Soccer
Co-Comeback Athlete of the Year
o Nicole Benati – Women's Soccer
o Melanie Feliciano - Volleyball
Female Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year
o Brooke Springer – Volleyball/Track and Field
Male Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year
o Zach Dove – Track and Field
Community Service Team
o Softball
Community Service Contributors - Seniors
o Grant Kay – Swimming & Diving/Brooke McCorkle - Softball
Community Service Contributors - Juniors
o Preston Riggs – Track and Field/Magdalena Borisova – Women's Golf
Community Service Contributors - Sophomores
o Jose Ocampo – Track and Field/Destynie Sheridan – Women's Golf
Community Service Contributors - Freshmen
o Connor Shin – Track and Field/Gracie Hollingsworth - Softball
