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OLIVET, MICHIGAN –The University of Olivet’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its annual Ollies awards presentation on Sunday, Feb. 25 inside the Cutler Student Center. The Ollies have become a tradition here on campus; the Ollies have been around since 2014 and give a chance for student-athletes and other co-curricular participants to receive recognition for all they have done from the 2023 calendar year.
Morgan Dillon received the Female Leadership Award as well as participated on the Women's Volleyball team that was awarded the Defeating the Odds Award. “Winning the defeating the odds award with my team was really big, I'm so grateful we were able to work together and receive this award,” Dillon said “I can only thank my team. They've allowed me to do all of my leadership on campus and outside of the court. I'm so grateful for my team. I couldn't have done this without them and my coaches.”
Doug Carter received the Coach of the Year award for the men's and women's Soccer teams. “I have been here 5 years now and it's the first award I got, I am absolutely thrilled. I thank my teams… they show up every day and the way they stuck together even in the adversity this year, I think they did fantastically well,” Carter said.
These are just a couple of the award recipients on the night. There were hundreds of talented individuals and teams in attendance but only some could walk away with an Ollie.
Here is a detailed list of winners:
Male Rookie of the Year - Bryan Carney - Baseball
Female Rookie of the Year - Jaydn Cary - Women’s Volleyball
Win of The Year - Men’s Basketball vs. Albion College
Moment of Truth - Djimo Kouyate - Men’s Soccer
Defeating the Odds - Men’s Team - Men’s Soccer vs. Trine University
Defeating the Odds - Women’s Team - Women’s Volleyball
Male Athlete of The Year - Jordon Brown - Men’s Track and Field
Female Athlete of The Year - Lily Connelly - Women’s Basketball
Team Community Service - Baseball
Non-NCAA Athlete of The Year - Lilyan Pastor - Stunt
Male Leadership Award - SirQuarius Ball - Football
Female Leadership Award - Morgan Dillon - Women’s Volleyball
Unbreakable Team - Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field and Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field
Band Member of The Year - Everett Haynes
Staff Member of The Year - Joey Shepherd
Coach of The Year - Doug Carter - Men’s and Women’s Soccer
Credit:
Photos and Interviews by Ella Gaffke
Award Winners Via - Madison Johnson
Written by Nate Lehman