Senior Student-Athlete Speaker - Alyssa Barrera, Softball
Wellness Advocate Award
This student-athlete demonstrated a commitment to personal wellness and showed courage in advocating for mental health awareness among student-athletes.
Katie Faulk, Softball; Jordyn Gasper, Softball; Jackie Martin, Track/XC
Katie, Jordyn and Jackie are courageous and passionate individuals who teamed with entities across campus to begin a video series called Unmuted, aimed at reducing the stigma with seeking mental health services. They will continue to create a space where student-athletes can share their experiences seeking help, and inform and empower those housed in the Athletics Department to support these help-seeking behaviors
Social Justice Advocate Award
This student-athlete was committed to creating and maintaining actionable change in the Athletics Department, at the University of Utah and in the Salt Lake City community surrounding social justice issues.
Maya LeBar, Track & Field
For the past year, Maya has been a leader in social justice in the Athletics Department, on campus and throughout the Salt Lake community. She is passionate about making the world a more equitable place. She takes charge and has helped coordinate many events, such as the Unity Walk, and co-running our UTAH Group. People like Maya are creating change in the world.
Team Community Service Award
The team that has gone the extra mile to give back to Salt Lake City. Not only does it provide a powerful reflection of who this team is, but also reflects what it means to be a caring student-athlete at Utah.
Women's Basketball
The Women's Basketball team is heavily involved in the community. Whether it's organizing student-athlete clothing drives for the American Indian Resource Center, helping clean up the U's grounds after a windstorm or attending the #SayTheirNamesMemorial in downtown Salt Lake City, the Women's Basketball team shows up ready to work. Their drive to create a better community is inspiring.
Women's Sport Rookie of the Year
Women's sport student-athlete who excelled in their first season of competition at the collegiate level by demonstrating dedication, ability and spirit.
Sydney Palmer-Leger, Skiing
Sydney won two NCAA Nordic titles this year, becoming the national champion in both the 5-km classic and the 15-km freestyle. She helped the team win the overall NCAA team title along with gaining honors as the National Women's Nordic Skier of the Year, and two All-America honors.
Men's Sport Rookie of the Year
Men's sport student-athlete who excelled in their first season of competition at the collegiate level by demonstrating dedication, ability, and spirit.
Ty Jordan, Football
Ty was the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and to the All-Pac-12 second team. He was also the 2020 AP Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year. In just five games and four starts, he led the team in carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and all-purpose yards. He was the first freshman to have three-straight 100-yard rushing games since 1995. In his short time at the U, he made a positive impact on his teammates, the university and this community. We love you and miss you, Ty!
James R. "Bud" Jack Scholar Athlete
This women's sport senior athlete is honored through the legacy of Bud and Ila (EYE-LA) Jack, whom dedicated 40 years of their lives to the University of Utah. Bud served in many capacities including 17 years as the Athletics Director and as Assistant Vice President for Athletic Development. Bud was also an instrumental part of starting women’s scholarship athletics at Utah some 37 years ago. This award is presented annually to a senior women's sport athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom as well as in their sport.
Alexa Van Komen, Volleyball
Volleyball's Alexa Van Komen, will graduate with a finance degree from the David Eccles School of Business this week! She has been on the Dean’s List every semester and has never received a grade lower than an A! In addition to her classwork, Alexa was involved in the Student Investment Fund, which is a $700,000 student-run investment management fund composed of top business school students. After graduating she will be working as an analyst in Wells Fargo's Consumer & Retail Investment Banking group.
Dr. Burtis Evans Scholar Athlete
This men's sport senior athlete is recognized with the Burtis Evans Scholar Athlete Award. Burtis and Jan Evans showed equal devotion to the University. Dr. Evans served as team physician for Utah’s Athletic teams for 37 years. This award is presented annually to a senior men's sport athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom as well as in their sport.
Ola Jordheim, Ski
Ola came to us as a transfer student from Norway. After his first year as an undergraduate, we realized he could transfer some of his courses back to Norway to complete his undergraduate degree. Over the last two years, he has worked diligently to complete his Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, while maintaining an extremely high level of academic success. Ola has always worked extremely hard and is the model of what it means to be a student-athlete.
Women’s Sport Ute Proud Most Inspirational Athlete
Women's sport student-athlete who exemplifies what it means to be a Ute by displaying a positive attitude, dedication, and pride in representing her school and team, while inspiring others to do the same.
Dru Gylten, Women's Basketball
Dru is a leader on and off the court. Not only is she our team captain, she is also the Co-Executive of Community Service in SAAC, where she most recently helped organize a department-wide clothing drive for the American Indian Resource Center. She finds herself participating in outside events and community service in her spare time. On the court this past year, Dru averaged 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists per game. Despite playing almost the entire season with a torn labrum and then suffering a season-ending injury, she continued to lead the team by helping and coach from the sidelines. She is a consistent leader and displays pride representing our school and program.
Men’s Sport Ute Proud Most Inspirational Athlete
Men's sport sport student-athlete who exemplifies what it means to be a Ute by displaying a positive attitude, dedication, and pride in representing his school and team, while inspiring others to do the same.
Cooper DeRyk, Swimming & Diving
Energy could get pretty low around the pool deck this year as many wondered if there would be a season at all, and if the work being put in would amount to anything. Cooper never gave up hope that there would be a season and that it would be just as enjoyable and rewarding as those in the past. Not only did Cooper drop numerous best times and make his first All-American team, he genuinely wished similar success for others. Without him, Utah's relays would not have made it to NCAAs and many members would not have reached their full potential.
Women's Sport Dr. Chris Hill Leadership Award
This award is given to the women's sport student-athlete who exemplifies leadership for their team, the athletics department, the campus and the community.
Maya LeBar, Track
Maya’s influence and leadership is felt by everyone in the Track program and Athletics Department on a daily basis. She served on Track's leadership council this year, and has been an active voice and leader in United Together Against Hate (U.T.A.H.). She is a role model to all student athletes by the way she carries herself within all her pursuits. She is a leader on her team, for the Athletics Department and for the whole Salt Lake community.
Men's Sport Dr. Chris Hill Leadership Award
This award is given to the men's sport student-athlete who exemplifies leadership for their team, the athletics department, the campus and the community.
Justin Kelly, Baseball
Justin has been involved with the student-athlete leadership group, Crimson Council, has worked with Crimson Club donors, and has been a team leader and outstanding example for our baseball team over the last few years. He is very active with the team's Team Impact recruit and is a wonderful example of someone who influences all those he is around.
Play of the Year
This award exemplifies the most memorable, extraordinary athletic moment in University of Utah Athletics this season.
Women's Sport Athlete of the Year
This women's sport student-athlete consistently performed at a high level throughout their season, raising the bar for all other competitors in their sport.
Maile O'Keefe, Gymnastics
Maile had many honors this year, but the most impressive is her 2x National Champion titles on Bars & Floor. This also gave her All-America honors on both events along with all-around honors. Maile was also the Pac12 Gymnast of the Year. She helped the Gymnastics team win 3rd place at the NCAA National Championships and, she scored a PERFECT 10 on beam this year against UW.
Men's Sport Athlete of the Year
This men's sport student-athlete consistently performed at a high level throughout their season, raising the bar for all other competitors in their sport.
Most Inspirational Team
This team is one that inspired all athletes at the University of Utah with their performances for the entire season.
Our Graduating Class of 2020-2021!
Congratulations to all of our graduates. We are so proud of U!
Thank you to all our student-athletes and staff for bringing light into a dark year. We cannot wait to celebrate with fans next year at our events.
2020-2021 Highlight Video
2020-2021 Closing Remarks from our Athletic Director, Mark Harlan.
Thank you, Ute fans!