Celebrating #CougarChoice23 Awards in Style
4/24/2023 4:34:00 PM | Cross Country, General, Men's Basketball, Track and Field, Women's Golf, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Volleyball, Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
Houston Athletics celebrates 2022-23 with annual awards banquet
HOUSTON – University of Houston student-athletes, coaches, and staff, joined together to celebrate the department's historic year while honoring a host of standouts during the annual Cougar Choice Awards, held Monday night from the Fertitta Center.
Cougar Choice Awards winners include:
Rich Stotter Champion for Life – Awarded to an exceptionally well-rounded student-athlete based on the following criteria: academics, athletics, civic/community service and career development
WINNER – One of Houston's team captains in 2023, Jordan Booker ran the starting leg of the NCAA Championship bronze medaling 4x100-meter relay team in June 2022 to become a First Team All-American. The senior was an NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier in the 100-meter dash for the second-straight year and was a finalist in the 200-meter dash at the American Indoor Championships in February. Outdoors, Booker finished fourth overall in the 200-meter dash and seventh overall in the 100-meter dash at The American Championships in mid-May 2022.
DJ Hayden Award – Student-athlete who has overcome significant obstacles in lift, has a positive outlook and pursues excellence despite obstacles
WINNER – Sedrick Williams' football career put on pause when his collegiate career was just taking off. The Houston defender had been on campus just a handful of months when he tested positive for COVID-19 and was diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart wall. Doctors could not say when, or if, he could resume playing football. After missing the 2020 season, he began easing back into football-related activities and was cleared to return for the Cougars' 2021 campaign. Early in the season, however, he suffered another setback --- this time by way of a broken ankle. He would miss 10 games, returning to play in the American Championship and Birmingham Bowl. A month after the injury, he grappled with disaster back home as his hometown of Houma, La., was battered by Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm. In 2022, he returned to the football field full-time, appearing in all 13 games including 10 games with at least one tackle. His perspective has provided a new outlook on life and his determination has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates alike. He has truly shown unwavering strength throughout his journey, and we are proud to call him a Houston Cougar.
Female Cougar of the Year – Awarded to Houston's top female student-athlete
WINNER – Kate Georgiades capped a tremendous junior season with a pair of All-American honors, helping lead Houston to its first Sweet Sixteen Appearance since 1994. The unanimous American Athletic Conference Libero of the Year, she finished sixth nationally with 687 digs and broke the program's three-set digs record with 34 against Tulsa.
Male Cougar of the Year – Awarded to Houston's top male student-athlete
WINNER – His decision to return for his senior season in 2022-23 electrified Houston fans, and he lived up to all the preseason hype. With a team-best 16.8 points per game and 96 3-pointers, guard Marcus Sasser was the 2023 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the Cougars' first Consensus First-Team All-American since 1984. He led Men's Basketball to its fourth American regular-season title in the last five years and a Top-Six ranking in both national polls for the entire season.
Female Academic Cougar of the Year – A leader in the classroom
WINNER – A key player for the Cougars' defense, Emma Clarke registered 84 appearances and is now No. 2 all-time in program history with 71 starts. The Christchurch, New Zealand, native earned several honors during her career with the Cougars, including the 2021 American Athletic All-Conference Second Team, 2022 American Preseason All-Conference Team, named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List, and earned a spot on the Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List. A 2022 graduate of the Cullen College of Engineering, Emma is currently an engineer training with Morris + Associates in Cypress, Texas.
Male Academic Cougar of the Year – A leader in the classroom
WINNER – After graduating in the spring of 2022, Devin Vallejo-Bannister returned to the Cougar track and field and cross country program as a Master's student in the College of Business Supply Chain Management Program where the track and field standout has maintained a GPA over 3.7 while excelling on the track. Vallejo-Bannister has been named to The American All-Academic team four-straight years since beginning his collegiate journey in 2018.
Female Rookie of the Year – Freshman student-athlete who made significant contributions
WINNER – In her debut season with the Cougars, Eden Humphrey has sealed her name in the Houston Swimming & Diving record books by setting new program records in the 1,000 and 1,650-yard freestyle events at the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championships. Humphrey wrapped up her first collegiate conference championships taking first place in the 500-yard freestyle and third in the 1,650-yard freestyle. Her teammates most recently voted Humphrey as the program's most valuable swimmer.
Male Rookie of the Year – Freshman student-athlete who made significant contributions
WINNER – One of the program's most highly recruited student-athletes, freshman forward Jarace Walker made his impact felt on Men's Basketball in only one season. Starting all but one game, Walker ranked second among the Cougars in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots in 2022-23 and was the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and an All-Conference Second-Team selection. The New Freedom, Pennsylvania, native was named the CBS Sports/U-S-B-W-A National Freshman of the Week twice and was honored as The American Freshman of the Week for a school-record six times.
Head Coach of the Year – Based on record, historical significance, student-athlete respect and impact in the community
WINNER – The American Athletic Conference and AVCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year, volleyball head coach David Rehr helped guide the team to its highest win total since prior to the NCAA's addition of the sport in 1980. He led the team to the Sweet Sixteen in the program's first NCAA appearance since 2000 and clinched the squad's first conference championship since 1999. One of just five teams to reach the 30-win threshold, Houston tied its highest final ranking in program history at #17 and went on a program-record 20 match win streak during the season.
WINNER – Looking to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1994, Houston volleyball faced Auburn in the second round of the NCAA tournament following a five-set win over South Dakota. Down two sets to one, the Cardiac Coogs lived up to the nickname, winning a nail biter fourth set, 25-23, before shutting the door with a decisive fifth set to earn the win.
Play of the Year – Top play during 2022-23
WINNER – The No. 1 play on SportsCenter that night, Kate Georgiades dove over a table to help win a point in a five-set opening round win in the NCAA tournament over South Dakota. Racing back to collect a dig off of Morgan Janda, Kate dive over the table kept the rally alive and she later rejoined the play to make another save before the Cougars won the point.
Spirit Award – An individual who is proud to be a Cougar, supports other teams, have passion for the city, school and program
WINNER – No Houston student-athlete can boast of more spirit and enthusiasm for her school than sophomore Anna Economon. A three-year member of the Women's Golf team, Economon works in a variety of roles. For the 2022-23 season, she serves as president of the Houston Athletics Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In addition to those duties, she also works as the coordinator of student-athlete and alumni engagement for the American Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The economics major has been named to the Dean's List for all but one of the semesters in which she has been enrolled with a pair of perfect semesters in her academic career.
Staff Member of the Year – An individual who has impacted student-athletes in a significant way
WINNER – Christal Peterson has made an immediate impact on the Houston Athletics Department since joining the Cougars as Director of Student-Athlete Development in May 2022. With a congenial personality and friendly smile, Peterson equips student-athletes to lead successful lives through holistic programming in the areas of personal, leadership and career development as well as community engagement. She serves as the co-advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, organizes graduation receptions and spearheads the execution of the Cougar's Choice Awards.
Ken Baxter Award – Individual whose volunteerism has positively impacted Houston Athletics during 2022-23
WINNER – Patty Godfrey graduated with both her bachelor's and MBA from the University of Houston. She is a season ticket holder for football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball. Patty has been a member of the planning committee for the Hall of Honor Gala since 1998 which raises upwards of $500,000 for the athletic department. She has co-chaired or chaired the Men's Basketball Tip-Off Dinner, Bill Yeoman Scholarship Golf Tournament, and the TDECU Stadium Grand Opening Gala. She volunteers her time at competitions for swimming and diving, track and field, and golf and with her husband have cooked meals for several of the teams in the room tonight. In fact, they are seven time grand champions of the homecoming tailgate! Patty has been a tireless and staunch supporter of UH Athletics and the entire University of Houston for years.
Team of the Year – Based on GPA, community service and overall record
WINNER – Winning its first conference championship since 1999, the volleyball team reached new heights in its 2022 season, finishing with a 30-4 record and reaching the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament. The team tied its highest final ranking in program history at #17 and was one of only five teams to reach the 30-win threshold. Undefeated inside the Fertitta Center, the volleyball team also earned its first win over a ranked opponent since 2003 and finished inside the top 25 nationally in four different statistical categories.
Cougar Choice Awards winners include:
Creating CHAMPION Student-Athletes on and off the competition surface!@kingjordanbook is the 2023 Rich Stotter Champion for Life award winner.#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/AZly789VSa
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Rich Stotter Champion for Life – Awarded to an exceptionally well-rounded student-athlete based on the following criteria: academics, athletics, civic/community service and career development
WINNER – One of Houston's team captains in 2023, Jordan Booker ran the starting leg of the NCAA Championship bronze medaling 4x100-meter relay team in June 2022 to become a First Team All-American. The senior was an NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier in the 100-meter dash for the second-straight year and was a finalist in the 200-meter dash at the American Indoor Championships in February. Outdoors, Booker finished fourth overall in the 200-meter dash and seventh overall in the 100-meter dash at The American Championships in mid-May 2022.
The D.J. Hayden Award goes to Sedrick Williams for overcoming adversity and setback during his career as a Cougar!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/bGvm7sYX1r
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
DJ Hayden Award – Student-athlete who has overcome significant obstacles in lift, has a positive outlook and pursues excellence despite obstacles
WINNER – Sedrick Williams' football career put on pause when his collegiate career was just taking off. The Houston defender had been on campus just a handful of months when he tested positive for COVID-19 and was diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart wall. Doctors could not say when, or if, he could resume playing football. After missing the 2020 season, he began easing back into football-related activities and was cleared to return for the Cougars' 2021 campaign. Early in the season, however, he suffered another setback --- this time by way of a broken ankle. He would miss 10 games, returning to play in the American Championship and Birmingham Bowl. A month after the injury, he grappled with disaster back home as his hometown of Houma, La., was battered by Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm. In 2022, he returned to the football field full-time, appearing in all 13 games including 10 games with at least one tackle. His perspective has provided a new outlook on life and his determination has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates alike. He has truly shown unwavering strength throughout his journey, and we are proud to call him a Houston Cougar.
Kate Georgiades is Super Woman! 💥@kate_george17 is your Female Cougar of the Year.#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/j0oitEOJuA
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Female Cougar of the Year – Awarded to Houston's top female student-athlete
WINNER – Kate Georgiades capped a tremendous junior season with a pair of All-American honors, helping lead Houston to its first Sweet Sixteen Appearance since 1994. The unanimous American Athletic Conference Libero of the Year, she finished sixth nationally with 687 digs and broke the program's three-set digs record with 34 against Tulsa.
All-American. Generational Talent. 🐐.@m_sasser0 is your Male Cougar of the Year!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/m7ZUahG0sU
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Male Cougar of the Year – Awarded to Houston's top male student-athlete
WINNER – His decision to return for his senior season in 2022-23 electrified Houston fans, and he lived up to all the preseason hype. With a team-best 16.8 points per game and 96 3-pointers, guard Marcus Sasser was the 2023 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the Cougars' first Consensus First-Team All-American since 1984. He led Men's Basketball to its fourth American regular-season title in the last five years and a Top-Six ranking in both national polls for the entire season.
9x Dean's List honoree
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team
Female Academic Cougar of the Year, Emma Clarke!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/hnn41B9WPH
Female Academic Cougar of the Year – A leader in the classroom
WINNER – A key player for the Cougars' defense, Emma Clarke registered 84 appearances and is now No. 2 all-time in program history with 71 starts. The Christchurch, New Zealand, native earned several honors during her career with the Cougars, including the 2021 American Athletic All-Conference Second Team, 2022 American Preseason All-Conference Team, named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List, and earned a spot on the Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List. A 2022 graduate of the Cullen College of Engineering, Emma is currently an engineer training with Morris + Associates in Cypress, Texas.
Your Male Academic Cougar of the Year, @devinvallejo_!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/5dh4AzwUKG
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Male Academic Cougar of the Year – A leader in the classroom
WINNER – After graduating in the spring of 2022, Devin Vallejo-Bannister returned to the Cougar track and field and cross country program as a Master's student in the College of Business Supply Chain Management Program where the track and field standout has maintained a GPA over 3.7 while excelling on the track. Vallejo-Bannister has been named to The American All-Academic team four-straight years since beginning his collegiate journey in 2018.
Record breaker. Conference Champion. 👊
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Female Rookie of the Year, @edenphumphrey!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/HtPDmhTAaE
Female Rookie of the Year – Freshman student-athlete who made significant contributions
WINNER – In her debut season with the Cougars, Eden Humphrey has sealed her name in the Houston Swimming & Diving record books by setting new program records in the 1,000 and 1,650-yard freestyle events at the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championships. Humphrey wrapped up her first collegiate conference championships taking first place in the 500-yard freestyle and third in the 1,650-yard freestyle. Her teammates most recently voted Humphrey as the program's most valuable swimmer.
One of the best in the country as a freshman!@JaraceW is the 2023 Male Rookie of the Year.#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/U4ZyWRg44c
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Male Rookie of the Year – Freshman student-athlete who made significant contributions
WINNER – One of the program's most highly recruited student-athletes, freshman forward Jarace Walker made his impact felt on Men's Basketball in only one season. Starting all but one game, Walker ranked second among the Cougars in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots in 2022-23 and was the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and an All-Conference Second-Team selection. The New Freedom, Pennsylvania, native was named the CBS Sports/U-S-B-W-A National Freshman of the Week twice and was honored as The American Freshman of the Week for a school-record six times.
AVCA Region Coach of the Year. Conference Coach of the Year.
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Houston's Head Coach of the Year, @CoachDavidRehr!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/7gfGzwEAi6
Head Coach of the Year – Based on record, historical significance, student-athlete respect and impact in the community
WINNER – The American Athletic Conference and AVCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year, volleyball head coach David Rehr helped guide the team to its highest win total since prior to the NCAA's addition of the sport in 1980. He led the team to the Sweet Sixteen in the program's first NCAA appearance since 2000 and clinched the squad's first conference championship since 1999. One of just five teams to reach the 30-win threshold, Houston tied its highest final ranking in program history at #17 and went on a program-record 20 match win streak during the season.
Game of the Year – Based on crowd, opponent, intensity and historical significanceCardiac Coogs! @uhcougarvb's clever nickname as they downed Aurburn to advance to the Sweet 16 in five sets is our Game of the Year!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/9Tabn7bJMf
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
WINNER – Looking to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1994, Houston volleyball faced Auburn in the second round of the NCAA tournament following a five-set win over South Dakota. Down two sets to one, the Cardiac Coogs lived up to the nickname, winning a nail biter fourth set, 25-23, before shutting the door with a decisive fifth set to earn the win.
RIP to the table! 💀
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
The viral sensation, @kate_george17's table breaking dive is our Play of the Year!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/6QDJ6GMNx3
Play of the Year – Top play during 2022-23
WINNER – The No. 1 play on SportsCenter that night, Kate Georgiades dove over a table to help win a point in a five-set opening round win in the NCAA tournament over South Dakota. Racing back to collect a dig off of Morgan Janda, Kate dive over the table kept the rally alive and she later rejoined the play to make another save before the Cougars won the point.
No one has more Cougar spirit than Anna Economon!
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Anna is our Spirit Award winner!#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/eFDzXX2hm9
Spirit Award – An individual who is proud to be a Cougar, supports other teams, have passion for the city, school and program
WINNER – No Houston student-athlete can boast of more spirit and enthusiasm for her school than sophomore Anna Economon. A three-year member of the Women's Golf team, Economon works in a variety of roles. For the 2022-23 season, she serves as president of the Houston Athletics Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In addition to those duties, she also works as the coordinator of student-athlete and alumni engagement for the American Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The economics major has been named to the Dean's List for all but one of the semesters in which she has been enrolled with a pair of perfect semesters in her academic career.
Staff Member of the Year – An individual who has impacted student-athletes in a significant way
WINNER – Christal Peterson has made an immediate impact on the Houston Athletics Department since joining the Cougars as Director of Student-Athlete Development in May 2022. With a congenial personality and friendly smile, Peterson equips student-athletes to lead successful lives through holistic programming in the areas of personal, leadership and career development as well as community engagement. She serves as the co-advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, organizes graduation receptions and spearheads the execution of the Cougar's Choice Awards.
Ken Baxter Award – Individual whose volunteerism has positively impacted Houston Athletics during 2022-23
WINNER – Patty Godfrey graduated with both her bachelor's and MBA from the University of Houston. She is a season ticket holder for football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball. Patty has been a member of the planning committee for the Hall of Honor Gala since 1998 which raises upwards of $500,000 for the athletic department. She has co-chaired or chaired the Men's Basketball Tip-Off Dinner, Bill Yeoman Scholarship Golf Tournament, and the TDECU Stadium Grand Opening Gala. She volunteers her time at competitions for swimming and diving, track and field, and golf and with her husband have cooked meals for several of the teams in the room tonight. In fact, they are seven time grand champions of the homecoming tailgate! Patty has been a tireless and staunch supporter of UH Athletics and the entire University of Houston for years.
30 wins. Sweet 16 berth. Back-to-back 25-win seasons.
— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 25, 2023
Cardiac Coogs! @uhcougarvb is the Team of the Year.#CougarChoice23 pic.twitter.com/WlhqMVdySE
Team of the Year – Based on GPA, community service and overall record
WINNER – Winning its first conference championship since 1999, the volleyball team reached new heights in its 2022 season, finishing with a 30-4 record and reaching the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament. The team tied its highest final ranking in program history at #17 and was one of only five teams to reach the 30-win threshold. Undefeated inside the Fertitta Center, the volleyball team also earned its first win over a ranked opponent since 2003 and finished inside the top 25 nationally in four different statistical categories.
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Track and Field
DEF
/ Soccer
/ Women's Golf
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/ Volleyball
/ Swimming & Diving
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/ Volleyball
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/ Men's Basketball
Distance
/ Track and Field
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/ Men's BasketballIntroducing Houston Blue
Friday, November 01
AD Eddie Nuñez Interview
Thursday, August 22
VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Eddie Nuñez Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, August 21
Hall of Honor
Thursday, September 14