:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63755301/650458856.jpg.0.jpg)
Cal Bears were honored at the annual Academic Honors luncheon. The luncheon awards recognize their hard work in the classroom, community and also their athletic success.
The award winners are listed below.
Golden Bear Team Award
The Golden Bear Team Award is given to the varsity team with the highest cumulative grade-point average. This year’s award goes to the women’s swimming & diving team for the second year in a row.
Big C Most Improved Team Award
This award goes to the team that has made the greatest improvement in the last year relative to its historical grade-point average, and for the second straight year it goes to women’s basketball.
Tom Hansen Conference Medal
The Tom Hansen Conference Medal is awarded annually at each member institution to that university’s outstanding senior male and female student-athletes. The determination is based on the exhibition of the greatest combination of performance and achievement in scholarship, athletics and leadership.
Male – Andrew Seliskar (men’s swimming & diving)
Female – Kristine Anigwe (women’s basketball)
Neufeld Scholar-Athlete Awards
The Neufeld Scholar-Athlete Awards are given to the graduating male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade-point averages. The award was established by Cal Hall of Famer William Neufeld Sr. in honor and memory of his son, William Jr., who ran track at Cal before his untimely death in a boating accident.
Male – Tyler Brendel (men’s track & field)
Female – Amy Bilquist (women’s swimming)
Pac-12 Postgraduate Scholarships
Created to honor outstanding scholar-athletes intending to pursue graduate studies and awarded by each Pac-12 institution, they include a $9,000 stipend for graduate work.
Halil Beqaj (men’s soccer)
Kristen Vredeveld (women’s swimming)
Oscar Geballe Postgraduate Scholarships
This award was created through the generosity of Dr. Theodore Geballe to honor his father, Oscar Geballe. It recognizes Oscar Geballe’s devotion to Cal and his strong belief in the value of combining scholarship and intercollegiate athletic competition. Since 1981, the Geballe award has helped more than 75 Golden Bears continue their education at the postgraduate level with a $10,000 stipend going to each winner.
Ivan Gonzalez (men’s track & field)
Kourtney Shaw (softball)
Jake Gimbel Prize and Anna Espenschade Award
The Jake Gimbel Prize and Anna Espenschade Award were established in the 1930s and 1987, respectively, to recognize a graduating male and female student-athlete for successful integration of academic and athletic pursuits. The winners of these awards exemplify the true “Golden Bear” spirit.
Male – Collin Morikawa (men’s golf)
Female – Toni-Ann Williams (women’s gymnastics0
Joseph McDonnell Kavanagh Award
This award, in its sixth year, recognizes the student-athlete who has made exceptional improvement in his or her academic and intellectual pursuits at Cal. The University’s motto - Fiat Lux, “Let there be light” - is appropriate for this most academically inspirational athlete award.
Malik McMorris (football/men’s track & field)
Walter A. Haas Jr. Community Service Award
The Walter A. Haas Jr. Community Service Award was created to honor Walter A. Haas Jr. for his commitment and service to the University and larger community. This award is given annually to student-athletes for his or her outstanding contribution to community service.
Patrick Laird (football)
Madison Roberts (lacrosse)
Misana Viltz (men’s track & field)
Jonathan and Judy Hoff Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year
The Jonathan and Judy Hoff Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year award recognizes a football student-athlete who has dedicated himself to a holistic approach toward academic, athletic and persona development by demonstrating consistent daily routines, persistent community outreach and collaborative leadership ability.
Henry Bazakas
Athletic Student Center Scholar-Athlete of the Year
The ASC Scholar-Athlete of the Week program honors a student-athlete for academic development and achievements developed through practice, study habits, course performance and leadership.
Asha Thomas (women’s basketball)