2021 Evening of Excellence

The Evening of Excellence is the annual student-athlete awards and recognition banquet designed to honor outgoing seniors and all of the contributions they made to Gonzaga Athletics and the broader University during their time at GU. Five major awards are handed out during the festivities including: Leadership Award, Male and Female Scholar-Athlete Award and Male and Female Senior Athlete Award. The banquet gives coaches of each sport the opportunity to share their perspective on what each senior meant to their program and gives outgoing seniors a chance to share what’s next for them. This year, we hosted a virtual Evening of Excellence to celebrate these five major awards and to congratulate all of our student-athletes on their accomplishments through such trying times. We are then honoring each of our seniors digitally, on these pages, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click around and help us honor these seniors as they embark on their careers in a multitude of fields.  

Click HERE to see previous Evening of Excellence Award Recipients

CHI ALPHA SIGMA

Welcome to Gonzaga University’s chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society.  Chi Alpha Sigma exists to encourage and reward high academic scholarship of college athletes at four-year accredited colleges and universities, to recognize outstanding academic achievement by intercollegiate varsity letter winners and to encourage good citizenship, moral character, and friendship among the high academic achievers in college athletics. Founded in 1996, and comprised of members from all levels within the NCAA and the NAIA, Chi Alpha Sigma has grown to over 285 University chapters nationwide.  The seniors inducted this year have maintained a minimum 3.4 cumulative GPA while earning varsity letters in their respective sports.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2021 CHI ALPHA SIGMA MEMBERS

LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Gonzaga Athletics Leadership Award recognizes a student-athlete who truly exhibits what it means to be a Zag by displaying excellence within their team, in the classroom, on campus, and in the community.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Lauren has displayed leadership amongst her peers by being elected as Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President for the 2020-21 academic year. Prior to that she was elected as the SAAC Secretary. As early as her sophomore year, McCallum jumped at the opportunity to be a voice for student-athletes and to serve others. This year she helped to drive the first ever SAAC Voter Registration Campaign and SAAC Social Justice series, alongside fellow officers. In 2019-20 she was part of an initiative to officially recognize student-athletes at graduation, resulting in the approval of student-athlete honor cords to be worn at commencement, something all seniors will have the opportunity to proudly wear next weekend.  McCallum has been essential to SAAC during her time on the Committee. In addition to being part of precedent setting SAAC groups, McCallum actively took part in the Student-Athlete Leadership Institute. Here she worked to develop and understand her own leadership skills while collaborating with fellow Zags to improve the student-athlete experience for all. She’s also used her voice and passion to represent Gonzaga student-athletes at the conference level, staying involved within the WCC’s SAAC.  

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD

The Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award recognizes those who have risen to the top of their respective class while simultaneously earning their varsity letter and conducting themselves in a manner reflective of our rich and celebrated Jesuit traditions.

AND THE WINNER IS...

During Gretchen’s four years at Gonzaga, she has amassed an impressive 3.97 cumulative GPA while earning her degree this May in Electrical Engineering. Gretchen has earned President’s List Honors each semester since she has been at GU and is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu (the Jesuit Honors Society), Chi Alpha Sigma (the Student Athlete Honors Society), and Tau Beta Pi (the Engineering Honors Society). After graduation this May, Gretchen will be working for Stryker, a medical device company, in Seattle as an RF/Wireless Engineer. 

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD

The Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award recognizes those who have risen to the top of their respective class while simultaneously earning their varsity letter and conducting themselves in a manner reflective of our rich and celebrated Jesuit traditions.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Michael was able to graduate in just three years from Gonzaga, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy last May. During Michael’s time at Gonzaga, he made the President’s List each semester and ended with a cumulative GPA of 3.97 and was named to the WCC All-Academic team in 2019 and 2020. This past fall and spring, Michael has been working towards his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. He is also a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the Student Athlete Honors Society. After graduation, Michael is wanting to pursue his MBA or a Law Degree.

FEMALE SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD

Since 1984, Gonzaga Athletics has presented the Athlete of the Year Award to the top male and female student-athletes who have shown extraordinary talent, outstanding commitment and contributions to their sport throughout their career as a Gonzaga student-athlete.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Jill is a Senior CLASS Award First team All-American, an Honorable Mention AP All-American, WCC Player of the Year and First Team All-WCC performer. She’s a 1,000-point scorer and amassed over 500 career rebounds shooting nearly 50 percent from the field for her career, helping Gonzaga to its winningest four-year span in history. She was recognized by national committees for her efforts not only on the court, but in the classroom and the community as well.

MALE SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD

Since 1984, Gonzaga Athletics has presented the Athlete of the Year Award to the top male and female student-athletes who have shown extraordinary talent, outstanding commitment and contributions to their sport throughout their career as a Gonzaga student-athlete.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Corey leaves Gonzaga as the winningest college basketball player in the last 25 years. This Zag won 127 of the games he appeared in during his four years at GU, to just 11 losses. He was named the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year, the West Coast Conference Player, and was a consensus First Team All-American. He was recognized by national committees for his efforts not only on the court, but in the classroom and the community as well.