EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Wednesday's Leadership Awards Banquet saw a pair of University of Evansville student-athletes recognized.  Cal McGinnis (baseball) was the recipient of the Ralph H. Coleman Award while Giulia Cardona (volleyball) earned the Lois D. Patton Award.  The awards are presented annually to the top senior male and female student-athletes.  They take into account athletic achievement, academic success, and service to the community.

Cal McGinnis, BASE, 3.68 GPA, Sports Communication

·       Has been a key player for UE baseball since joining the team in 2023-24 from Bradley. McGinnis has appeared in 68 games for the Aces and has started in all but two of those games over two seasons. Was named the 2024 MVC Tournament Most Outstanding Player for drawing a walk to score Evansville's winning run in the championship game. At the end of the MVC Tournament in 2024 McGinnis was batting .714 (10-for-14) with three doubles and was UE's leading batter coming into the 2025 season. Has played all four infield positions for the Aces in 2025 while batting .359 with 10 runs, 23 hits, and 15 RBIs. Since transferring to Evansville McGinnis has been named to the Dean's List every semester including Fall 2024 with a 3.70 semester GPA. Currently holds a 3.68 cumulative GPA and plans to become a lawyer following graduation. 

Giulia Cardona, VB, 3.147 GPA, Chemistry

·       2023 MVC Player of the Year

·       Finished with the UE program record for career kills with 2,183; her tally was second in MVC history

·       Two-time AVCA Division I National Player of the Week

·       Two AVCA All-Regional accolades (2023, 2024)

·       First All-American in program history earning 2023 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention honors

·       Three-time All-MVC First Team player

·       Was the national kills leader in 2023 and 2024