Purdue University Northwest Athletics revealed its 2023-24 academic year award winners at the 6th Annual Leo Awards Monday night, hosted at the Dworkin Student Services & Activities Complex on the PNW Westville Campus.
 
PNW is now in its seventh-year as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and competing at the NCAA Division II level.  Highlighting the night of celebration were five major awards as the Pride produced another historic year in the classroom, in competition, and in the community by setting records across all sports as well bringing home 11 championships over the past year.
 
The prestigious John Friend Leadership Award went to two incredibly deserving student-athletes senior Allison Arnold of the softball team and graduate student Kennedy Jackson of women's basketball. This award, which is named after Director of Athletics Emeritus, John Friend, recognizes the most distinguished student-athlete within the athletic department who embodies academic success, leadership, community service, humility and strong moral values.

The Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were presented to senior Lauren Sanders (Volleyball) and sophomore Patrick Hayes (Ice Hockey).

This year, we honored two amazing athletes for Player of the Year. For Female Athlete of the Year, senior Mercedes Simmons of women's basketball and senior Maddison Roop of softball took home the award. For Male Athlete of the Year, senior Hugo Lorenzo of men's soccer and junior Sam Bourdages of ice hockey were both honored.

2023-24 PURDUE NORTHWEST STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARDS
 
JOHN FRIEND LEADERSHIP AWARD
Allison Arnold, Senior, Softball
Kennedy Jackson, Graduate Student, Women's Basketball
 
FEMALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Lauren Sanders, Senior, Volleyball
 
MALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Patrick Hays, Sophomore, DI Hockey
 
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Maddison Roop, Senior, Softball
Mercedes Simmons, Senior, Women's Basketball
 
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Hugo Lorenzo, Senior, Men's Soccer
Sam Bourdages, Junior, DI Hockey
 
FEMALE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Kylie Dugan, Freshman, Softball
 
MALE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
RJ Swaw, Freshman, DI Hockey
 
FEMALE MOST-IMPROVED ATHLETE
Salma Raslan, Sophomore, Women's Tennis
 
MALE MOST-IMPROVED ATHLETE
Eli Baumann, Sophomore, Men's Track & Field
 
MOST IMPROVED TEAM
Men's Soccer
 
MOST SPIRITED TEAM
DI Hockey

CHANCELLOR'S CUP TEAM GPA AWARD
Volleyball

FEMALE PRIDE-HUSTLE-DESIRE AWARD
Kiara Spates, Sophomore, Women's Track & Field

MALE PRIDE-HUSTLE-DESIRE AWARD
Cooper Olson, Sophomore, DI Hockey

FEMALE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Allison Arnold, Senior, Softball

MALE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Samuel Dickson, Junior, Men's Tennis

FEMALE BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Gabby Paliska, Senior, Softball
 
MALE BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Hugo Lorenzo, Senior, Men's Soccer

MOST OUTSTANDING SPIRIT ATHLETE
Erica Gillespie, Senior, Cheer & Dance Team

TYLER HOFFMAN COURAGE & PERSEVERANCE AWARD (FEMALE)
Kennedy Jackson, Senior, Women's Basketball
 
TYLER HOFFMAN COURAGE & PERSEVERANCE AWARD (MALE)
Lucas Bass, Sophomore, Men's Track & Field