ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – At the end of each academic year, the UCF student-athletes come together to celebrate another successful academic and athletic campaign with the annual Swords Awards banquet. On Monday, the 2020 edition of the tradition was carried out with a twist.
With spring competition canceled, classes moved online, and UCF student-athletes are currently scattered throughout the world, the UCF Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Student-Athlete Welfare and Development office took to social media to announce the nominees and winners for the 2020 edition of the Swords Awards.
The first award of the day was the Dr. Bill Callarman Perseverance Award, which is named after UCF's former NCAA Faculty Representative. The award recognizes a graduating student-athlete whose determination and perseverance in overcoming obstacles academically, athletically, or even personally, is a testament to their tremendous character. Volleyball's Erin Olson and football's McKenzie Milton were honored as the 2020 recipients.
The Dr. Richard Lapchick Servant Leader Award, which measures both athletic and academic achievements, along with community service, was presented to Dina Samaan (rowing) and Yannik Oettl (men's soccer).
Named after Dr. John C. Hitt, who served as UCF's president for 26 years, the Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognizes a graduating student-athlete who exemplifies outstanding scholarly achievement through excellence in academics, leadership, participation, and performance. Mia Cleary (rowing) and Matt Milon (men's basketball) were awarded the honor this year.
The Swords Awards saw the addition of an award in 2020, as one female and one male student-athlete earned the Community Impact Award. Presented to the female and male student-athletes with the most community outreach hours, Hayley Bejarano (softball) and Gideon Adu-Peprah (men's soccer) were the inaugural recipients.
Awarded to the student-athlete who is the true embodiment of a team player, as exemplified by the contribution and inspiration provided to the team, the 2020 Heart of the Knight honors were awarded to Loren Gallmon (track and field) and Johnny Dean (men's soccer).
The Iron Knight award, which is awarded to a female and male student-athlete who leads by example, gives maximum effort, and is a top performer in the weight room, went to Kaitlyn Jensen (softball) and Gabriel Davis (football).
Volleyball posted the highest female team GPA for the second straight year, while the men's golf team held the highest team GPA (3.465) on the men's side. For the second straight year, the softball team earned the Excalibur Cup Award, which encompasses great community service, leadership development, academic and athletic excellence and support and pride for their peers' events.
This year, the Knights were again excited to celebrate the highest honor a UCF student can receive. Volleyball's Alli Sabol and football's Kyle Benkel were recognized for being named to the Order of Pegasus. Order of Pegasus recognizes exemplary performance by graduate and undergraduate students in the areas of academic achievement, outstanding university involvement, leadership and community service.
Our Knights truly represent what it means to be ??????????????-???????????????? ??
— UCF Knights (@UCFKnights) April 21, 2020
Check out all who were awarded a #SwordsAwards20 ??https://t.co/4sHgYs8LCd
The following is a look at the awards that were awarded on Monday:
Dr. Bill Callarman Perseverance Award
Female: Erin Olson, Volleyball
Male: McKenzie Milton, Football
Dr. Richard Lapchick Servant Leader Award
Female: Dina Samaan, Rowing
Male: Yannik Oettl, Men's Soccer
Dr. John C. Hitt Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Female: Mia Cleary, Rowing
Male: Matt Milon, Men's Basketball
Community Impact Award
Female: Hayley Bejarano
Male: Gideon Adu-Peprah
Heart of the Knight
Female: Loren Gallmon, Track and Field
Male: Johnny Dean, Men's Soccer
Iron Knight Award
Female: Kaitlyn Jensen, Softball
Male: Gabriel Davis, Football
Highest Team GPA
Volleyball
Men's Golf
Excalibur Cup
Softball