Nuno Borges and Victoria Vivians were named MSU's male and female athletes of the year at MSU's Maroon & White Night Monday.
Inaugural Maroon & White Night A Huge Success
April 23, 2018 | Athletics, Student-Athlete Development
STARKVILLE, Miss. – It was a red carpet affair not likely to be forgotten anytime soon, as athletic attire gave way to glamorous dresses and stylish suits Monday at the Mill Conference Center for Mississippi State's inaugural Maroon & White Night.
MSU honored all 16 of its sports, recognizing those who had garnered All-American and All-SEC accolades and outstanding achievements in the classroom and community in addition to other specials awards such as Athletes of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Moments of the Year and the Newsom Awards.
Hosted by the "Voice of the Bulldogs," Neil Price, with special appearances from athletics director John Cohen, 11 different awards were presented. The highlight of the evening was when Victoria Vivians and Nuno Borges were named female and male athletes of the year, respectively.
A three-time All-American and four-time Gillom Trophy winner, Vivians led the Bulldogs to their second-straight national championship game before being selected with the eighth overall pick of the WNBA draft earlier this month.
Borges, the 2017 SEC Player of the Year, is currently ranked No. 3 nationally in men's singles and 21st in doubles. The All-American also won the Oracle ITA National Fall Championship singles title back in November.
"You're the reason we are here (tonight)," Cohen told the athletes. "You are the reason why the university runs so well. The fans who consistently pack our stadiums are there for one reason and one reason only, and that's to see you. This year, you've given them more than ever to cheer for."
Below is the breakdown of all the awards . . .
Community Service Awards
Winners: Anastasia Rentouli (Women's Tennis), Gerri Green (Football)
Description: Presented to individuals showing the greatest level of engagement beyond athletics, recognizing those who made significant contributions to MSU and the great community.
Dowsing-Bell True Maroon Spirit Awards
Winners: Jesse Austin (Track & Field) and Alex Wilcox (Softball)
Description: Presented to individuals who best exemplify what it means to be a Bulldogs. This award champions sportsmanship, personal growth, grit, overcoming adversity and exceptional leadership in and around the athletic department. It's name in honor of Frank Dowsing and Robert Bell.
Clanga Cup
Winner: Women's Tennis
Description: Given to the team most engaged with their holistic development, this award fosters the commitments of the life skill office, while championing academic and athletic excellence.
Staff Awards
Winners: Katherine Rice, Jim Gaskin, Shaun Taylor and Steve Corhern
Description: Presented to staff members who have gone above and beyond in service to the Hail State family, recognizing the overall excellence and unrelenting commitment of the athletic department's unsung heroes.
Newsom Awards
Winners: Hunter Vansau (Baseball), Aric Holman (Men's Basketball), Blair Schaefer (Women's Basketball), Kristy Terp (Cross Country), Jeffery Simmons (Football), Ross Bell (Men's Golf), Katie Holt (Women's Golf), Courtney Robicheaux (Soccer), Cassady Knudsen (Softball), Nuno Borges (Men's Tennis), Anastasia Rentouli (Women's Tennis), Lawrence Crawford (Men's Track & Field), Logan Boss (Women's Track & Field) and Morgan Kath (Volleyball).
Description: Named in memory of Carroll and Francis Newsom, this is presented to one member of each varsity sports team, this award champions academic excellence, personal development, community service and athletic success.
Overall Newsom Award Winners
Female: Logan Boss (Women's Track & Field)
Male: Nuno Borges (Men's Tennis)
Best Moment
Winner: Roshunda Johnson's game-tying 3-pointer against Louisville in the Final Four to force overtime
Description: Presented to the best highlight or moment of the 2017-18 athletic year and voted on by those in attendance on Monday night.
Coaches of the Year
Winner: Vic Schaefer (Women's Basketball) and Matt Roberts (Men's Tennis)
Description: Given to the coaches with the greatest athletic achievement during the 2017-18 athletic year.
Athletes of the Year
Female: Victoria Vivians (Women's Basketball)
Male: Nuno Borges (Men's Tennis)
Description: Presented to the most outstanding male and female athletes for exemplary athletic performance.
MSU honored all 16 of its sports, recognizing those who had garnered All-American and All-SEC accolades and outstanding achievements in the classroom and community in addition to other specials awards such as Athletes of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Moments of the Year and the Newsom Awards.
Hosted by the "Voice of the Bulldogs," Neil Price, with special appearances from athletics director John Cohen, 11 different awards were presented. The highlight of the evening was when Victoria Vivians and Nuno Borges were named female and male athletes of the year, respectively.
A three-time All-American and four-time Gillom Trophy winner, Vivians led the Bulldogs to their second-straight national championship game before being selected with the eighth overall pick of the WNBA draft earlier this month.
Borges, the 2017 SEC Player of the Year, is currently ranked No. 3 nationally in men's singles and 21st in doubles. The All-American also won the Oracle ITA National Fall Championship singles title back in November.
"You're the reason we are here (tonight)," Cohen told the athletes. "You are the reason why the university runs so well. The fans who consistently pack our stadiums are there for one reason and one reason only, and that's to see you. This year, you've given them more than ever to cheer for."
Below is the breakdown of all the awards . . .
Community Service Awards
Winners: Anastasia Rentouli (Women's Tennis), Gerri Green (Football)
Description: Presented to individuals showing the greatest level of engagement beyond athletics, recognizing those who made significant contributions to MSU and the great community.
Dowsing-Bell True Maroon Spirit Awards
Winners: Jesse Austin (Track & Field) and Alex Wilcox (Softball)
Description: Presented to individuals who best exemplify what it means to be a Bulldogs. This award champions sportsmanship, personal growth, grit, overcoming adversity and exceptional leadership in and around the athletic department. It's name in honor of Frank Dowsing and Robert Bell.
Clanga Cup
Winner: Women's Tennis
Description: Given to the team most engaged with their holistic development, this award fosters the commitments of the life skill office, while championing academic and athletic excellence.
Staff Awards
Winners: Katherine Rice, Jim Gaskin, Shaun Taylor and Steve Corhern
Description: Presented to staff members who have gone above and beyond in service to the Hail State family, recognizing the overall excellence and unrelenting commitment of the athletic department's unsung heroes.
Newsom Awards
Winners: Hunter Vansau (Baseball), Aric Holman (Men's Basketball), Blair Schaefer (Women's Basketball), Kristy Terp (Cross Country), Jeffery Simmons (Football), Ross Bell (Men's Golf), Katie Holt (Women's Golf), Courtney Robicheaux (Soccer), Cassady Knudsen (Softball), Nuno Borges (Men's Tennis), Anastasia Rentouli (Women's Tennis), Lawrence Crawford (Men's Track & Field), Logan Boss (Women's Track & Field) and Morgan Kath (Volleyball).
Description: Named in memory of Carroll and Francis Newsom, this is presented to one member of each varsity sports team, this award champions academic excellence, personal development, community service and athletic success.
Overall Newsom Award Winners
Female: Logan Boss (Women's Track & Field)
Male: Nuno Borges (Men's Tennis)
Best Moment
Winner: Roshunda Johnson's game-tying 3-pointer against Louisville in the Final Four to force overtime
Description: Presented to the best highlight or moment of the 2017-18 athletic year and voted on by those in attendance on Monday night.
Coaches of the Year
Winner: Vic Schaefer (Women's Basketball) and Matt Roberts (Men's Tennis)
Description: Given to the coaches with the greatest athletic achievement during the 2017-18 athletic year.
Athletes of the Year
Female: Victoria Vivians (Women's Basketball)
Male: Nuno Borges (Men's Tennis)
Description: Presented to the most outstanding male and female athletes for exemplary athletic performance.
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