Santa Clara Athletics Celebrates 2024-25 With Annual Student-Athlete Awards

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – While the 2024-25 year is not quite completely in the books just yet, Santa Clara Athletics celebrated their student-athletes for the achievements both on the field, in the classroom and in the community with their annual student-athlete awards. The night saw a total of 11 awards handed out, culminating with women’s soccer winning the Vic Corsiglia One Shining Moment Award for their road victory at BYU in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, and men’s golfer J.P. Odland and women’s basketball star Oliva Pollerd winning male and female athlete of the year honors, respectively. The full list of winners is below. 

Jim Jennings Award:

Awarded to a male and female non-student athlete for their volunteer service to the athletic department.

AnnaMarie Van Buiten (Beach Volleyball Manager)

Tomas Donaldson (Women’s Soccer Manager)

Jay D. Farwell Award:

Given to the senior male and female student-athlete with the highest GPA.

Lauren Lietzke (Volleyball)

Brennan Mallett (Men’s Soccer)

Inclusive Excellence Award:

This award is presented annually to student-athlete(s) who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the Santa Clara Athletics Department’s goal of advancing excellence through diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Kyla Acres (Softball)

Jim Shea Award:

This award recognizes a male or female student athlete who has courageously led their team through selfless actions, and been a campus community leader. Jim Shea was the first Santa Clara student-athlete whose life was cut short while serving in the Vietnam War.

Abbey Charpentier (Softball)

Brenton Knapper (Men’s Basketball)

DJ Frandsen Award:

A male or female student- athlete who used perseverance and spirit to overcome adversity to serve as a role model of inspiration. The award is in memory of David Frandsen Jr. former basketball manager  who inspired many in his battle with cancer.

Marisa Bubnis (Women’s Soccer)

John Kim (Men’s Tennis)

Marygrace Colby Award

Given annually to a senior female student-athlete who best demonstrates qualities of character, desire and competitive spirit on and off the field. Mary Grace Colby was Santa Clara’s first women’s athletic director.

Lauren Grover (Volleyball and Women’s Basketball)

Henry Schmidt Award

Given annually to a male student-athlete who best demonstrates attitude, character, desire, competitive spirit on and off the field of play. He was Santa Clara’s first athletic trainer, a position he held for 50 years. 

Zach Fales (Men’s Water Polo)

Carroll Williams Award

A senior student-athlete who best defines what it means to be a Santa Clara student-athlete, someone who excels in the classroom, on the field of play, and makes outstanding contributions to the community. Carroll Williams served as SCU long-time basketball coach and athletic director.

Libby Slater (Women’s Water Polo)

Connor Menke (Men’s Rowing)

Vic Corsiglia One Shining Moment Award

An award given to any male or female team or student-athlete for a “one shining” moment. This award is presented annually to an individual or team and represents a pinnacle achievement during the season of play.

Women’s Soccer defeats BYU in 2025 NCAA Tournament

Brandi Chastain Female Athlete of the Year

Olivia Pollerd (Women’s Basketball)

Pay Malley Male Athlete of the Year

J.P. Odland (Men’s Golf)