North Park Athletics and its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted an end of the year ceremony, highlighting some of the top moments from the 2023-24 school year.
The event was expertly MC'd by Emily LaSalle (WSOC) and Jereme Ombogo (FB/TRK). Director of Athletics John Born, Campus Pastor Dr. Terence Gadsden, President Mary Surridge and coaches from each Vikings team also presented at the event. Professor Brian Vollmert was honored as the first ever "Faculty Member of the Year" for his work in promoting and bolstering Viking Athletics within the NPU community and beyond.
Additionally, before the ceremony took place, the Reed Larson Team Spirit Award Winner was named at North Park University Men's Basketball's end of the season banquet this past winter. Kenton Lei took home the annual award for the Vikings.
Reed Larson, a member of the North Park men's basketball team, was tragically killed in a car accident in 2001. In his memory, the Reed Larson Award was established. Each year, the award is presented to the student-athlete that best exemplifies the respect of the sport, outstanding practice and ethic, team spirit, mentoring of other players, love of North Park, and a never-let-up attitude.
The awardees of the night were:
Track & Field – Winner of the Team Skit Competition
Inspirational Team(s) of the Year – Baseball
Inspirational Team(s) of the Year – Women's Tennis
Funniest In-Game Moment – Softball Fixes their own Fence
Play of the Year – Bobby Bartlett's Walkoff HR against Millikin
Small Group / Individual Performance of the Year - Thea Ring's Pentathlon Performance at Nationals
Most Ironic Injury – Adriana Rodriguez Concusses Coach Michael Sopocy with a Jump Serve
Freshman of the Year – Meg Rothermel, Women's Volleyball
Moment(s) of the Year – Football Sings Fight Song after win over IWU
Moment(s) of the Year - Women's Volleyball Becomes Double Champs
Faculty Member of the Year – Brian Vollmert
Female Sportsperson of the Year – Eliza Rex, Softball
Male Sportsperson of the Year - Carson Blatchford, Football
Female Athlete of the Year - Christina Gatta, Women's Volleyball
Male Athlete of the Year - Justin Swanson, Baseball
