On Monday evening, Wayne State University hosted the Golden W Awards Ceremony at the Community Arts Auditorium. The event was organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in collaboration with the Athletic Department's Student Support Services unit.
The ceremony recognized student-athletes for their academic and athletic achievements. Eight Deans' Awards were given to those with the highest cumulative GPA in each college. Additionally, 62 student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 term GPA for Fall 2023 were acknowledged, along with 234 athletes who made it to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll with a term GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Graduating student-athletes, totaling 80 this week or in August, were also honored during the event.
Team Academic Awards went to teams with top GPAs for Fall 2023. The women's fencing team had a combined GPA of 3.811, while the baseball team achieved a collective GPA of 3.567.
Student-athletes voted on various awards as well. Women's Tennis received "Dressed to Impress," and Baseball earned "Warrior Spirit." Khalil Ben Ajmia from men's swimming was named Male Newcomer of the Year, and McKenna Ferguson from women's basketball was Female Newcomer of the Year.
Ransom Allen from men's cross country won Make Record Breaker, while Becca Fugate from women's basketball took home Female Record Breaker honors.
Football's Donte Reed received "Male Influencer Vibes," and Taylor Thompson from women's basketball won its female counterpart.
Ryan Szlachcic from baseball was awarded Male Teammate of the Year; Mikayla Williams from women's track and field was named Female Teammate of the Year.
Mason McGuire from baseball was recognized as Male Comeback Player of the Year, while Hanne Bastiaansen from women's track secured Female Comeback Player honors.
Softball player Mady Ruczynski and men's swimmer James Violassi were chosen as Best Dressed through an online vote held during the event night. They were joined by Sabel Imesch from women's golf and Maddie Hool from softball in a group photo.
The evening concluded with a special acknowledgment for retiring Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Tim Butler, who received a WSU Letterwinners jacket presented by Director of Athletics Erika Wallace.
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