The Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) held the third annual Union University Top Dawg Awards on Tuesday, May 4 in the Carl Grant Events Center. This event honored the accomplishments of Union’s student-athletes during 2020-2021 athletic season.
Last year, the Top Dawg Awards were held online due to COVID-19, but this year saw return to an in-person celebration. The night started with a dinner, and then the awards show began. The lights were dimmed and a hype video began to play.
Alyssa Ward, junior double English and Spanish major and SAAC president, welcomed everyone and emphasized how the Top Dawg Awards is supposed to make everyone in the athletic department feel special.
The central element of the awards show recognized the winners of the night. Each team had one recipient for each award. SAAC executive board members introduced each award.
The Heart of a Champion Award recipients are athletes who display the most team pride and deep love for their teammates and the game itself.
The Trailblazer Award recipients are the athletes who show extraordinary leadership and have a positive impact on their team.
The Buster Award recipients are those who “busted their tails” the most during competitions. There was a new award this year called the Dream Team. The Dream Team Award recipients are players who consistently represent his or her team at the highest level statistically and through high achievement in the duration of the season.
The Heart of Service Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies servant leadership and serves the entire athletic community with a grateful heart. The 2021 Heart of Service Award went to Union Athletics secretary Teresa Thomas.
“The athletics department simply would not run without Ms. Teresa showing up every single day with a heart willing to serve,” said Kristen Pickens, former SAAC president and graduate softball player.
The men’s cross country team and women’s soccer team won the Bulldog Brainiacs Awards. This award goes to the teams with the highest GPA.
The most exciting and prestigious award of the night is Mr. and Miss Top Dawg. These athletes have performed exceedingly well statistically and have helped bring major success to their teams. This award was voted on by SAAC members.
Miss Top Dawg went to Meghan Delaney, senior volleyball player and nursing major.
Mr. Top Dawg went to Josh Bozoian, senior baseball player and business marketing major.
“Winning Miss Top Dawg is such an incredible honor,” said Delaney. “There are so many amazing athletes here at Union, and the fact that my fellow student-athletes thought of me to deserve this award is truly humbling.”
Through this hard season, the Union Athletics teams consistently came together to support each other. The 2021 Top Dawg Awards banquet was a great conclusion to one of the most challenging seasons in sports history.
“Fellowship is so important in any community, and it was so special to have the athletic department all together in person,” said Ward.
To see all of the 2021 Top Dawg Award recipients, click here.
