To celebrate the conclusion of another historic season, the SCAD Athletic department gathered on Sunday night at Trustees Theater. After a social hour with coffee, sliders, and photo ops, seats were filled  by coaches, athletes, and staff dressed to the nines. Welcoming everyone to the event, Athletic Director Amanda Haverstick took the stage.

The event opened with a hype video featuring all of the athletic teams, created by Athletic department student workers. Throughout the night, each team presented their own videos as well. Standouts included the cycling team's piece that gave fellow athletes a deeper look into the intense training they undergo during the season. Women's golf also brought a sentimental reel that blended current practice footage and photos of the players golfing as children. Their interspersed reflections sent appreciation for the sport that raised them and the colligate team that has become a second family.
           
Recognition was given to athletes and coaches throughout the night, starting with the record-breakers. During the 2025-26 season 53 program records were broken or tied across 11 teams. Conference awards were recognized including six coaches named Coach of the Year and  six teams winning conference championships. National awards were next. This season SCAD Athletics received eight individual national titles and five national championship wins. Across the department, 110 athletes were named All-Americans.
           
Each team relies heavily on the leadership, discipline, and dedication of one person: Their coach. To honor coaches, and assistant coaches, SCAD Athletics presents an award for each. Katrina Pacentrili presented the Rod Echols Assistant Coach of the Year Award to Tanner Popovich of Men's Lacrosse. Last year's winner of the Frances Wong Coach of the Year Award, Rebecca Gunn, presented this year's award to Chris Kamys, head coach of men's and women's golf, who was also awarded NAIA Coach of the Year after the women's team's National Championship win last weekend.
          
Awards for the athletes began with the first of two new awards this year, Newcomer of the Year. Swimming swept both the male and female categories. Levente Mozsarik and Valle Gonzalez both received national titles at the NAIA National Swim Final in March. "This season was really hard, especially coming from another country, but I'm really thankful," Gonzalez said.
           
Academic achievements were also recognized at the banquet. Six artist-athletes who will be graduating this spring with a 4.0 GPA were recognized. Tianna Polizzi, Finlay Saunders, Lexie Stoebenau, Nikki Hahn, Lisa Konrad, and Alessia Piccoliori were each presented the Athletic Director Scholar-Athlete Award by Rob Weisel, Director of Student Success and Advising. "There's a lot that goes into balancing not being just a student but also an athlete for four years. I'm very proud and thankful for the recognition," Conrad said. "I know I worked really hard on all my projects, and it feels wonderful to see it pay off," said Pollizzi.
           
Recognition was also given to athletes who consistently displayed excellent character. Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Justin VanDusen presented the Strength and Conditioning Award to Olivia Torline. VanDusen shared remarks about the energy Torline brought to practice and how she pushed herself and teammates to improve. Colena Lord, Sports Information Director, presented the Jessy Scarpone Champion of Character Award to Finlay Saunders, for the second year in a row. "It's so easy for me to be a contributing member of my team when I have the support of the entire department around me," Saunders said. "The least I can do is give back."
           
The next new award of the night recognized athletes for a Record Breaking Performance. Presented by Bailey Clarck, Associate Director of Athletic Communications, Mason Hickman was recognized for his work on the lacrosse field this season. Hickman was also recognized later in the evening as the Paul E Poetter Male Athlete of the Year. "I give a lot of credit to my team and coaches this year. It's been an honor to lead this program and take it to new heights," Hickman said. "Being named Male Athlete of the Year is such an honor. The other nominees are incredible athletes, it just goes to show how prosperous athletics are at SCAD."
           
The Paul E Poetter Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to Elizabeth Weeks for her standout work as a member of the women's bowling team. "This season went great, not just for me personally but the team as well," Weeks said.  "It was such an accomplishment to see the team perform this year, I'll hold that in my heart forever."
           
The final award of the night is one selected by the athletes. After tallying the votes from each team, Team of the Year was awarded to women's golf. "Our season was tough at the beginning, we had a lot of new girls. After winter break we were all very motivated for the season as a whole, then conference was a boost of energy," team captain Paula Barrio said. At the Sun Conference Championships, her team beat Keiser, who were ranked number one at the time. "Nationals was very tough, but we managed it and got the National Title. It's super special to be recognized tonight and we're very excited for next year."