COLLEGE STATION – Jake Matthews and Meghan Streight received the President’s Award Monday evening during Texas A&M Athletics’ inaugural Building Champions Awards held in Reed Arena. Aggie student-athletes were treated to a maroon carpet entrance to the gala with awards presented for various academic, service, leadership and athletic endeavors.
“Our long-time motto for Texas A&M Athletics has been ‘Building Champions,’ and these student-athletes represent the best of the best,” Athletics Director Eric Hyman said. “We are extremely appreciative of their many contributions to Texas A&M, and congratulate our student-athletes on their success not only in competition, but in the classroom and the community.”
Special recognition during the Building Champions Awards was bestowed upon Carolyn Lohman and in honor of Tommie Lohman ’59 for their enduring support of Texas A&M athletics and the welfare of the student-athletes.
The President’s Award is the highest award that is presented to a student-athlete at Texas A&M by the Athletics Department. The individual receiving this award is someone who displays extraordinary talents in areas of athletics, scholarship, leadership and service.
Dr. Karan Watson, Provost and Executive President for Academic Affairs, presented the President’s Award to Streight from the soccer team and Matthews from the football team.
A team captain for the Aggies, Matthews was selected as first team All-SEC in 2012 and 2013 and earned first team All-America recognition by the Football Writers Association of America, Associated Press and Sporting News. Honored with the Bobby Bowden Award for leadership this season, Matthews was also a semifinalist for the John Wooden Citizenship Cup.
Matthews graduated with a 3.186 GPA from the Mays School of Business and was named to the SEC honor roll the past two years. A projected first round NFL draft pick, Matthew was a member of the offensive line in 2012 that led the SEC in rushing, passing, scoring and total offense which also ranked third nationally in total offense and scoring offense.
Streight, a two year team captain who anchors the Aggie defense, led the team to three conference championships and three NCAA tournament appearances. She also coordinates and leads the team’s community service activities and soccer has won the Aggie Cup in the two previous years with Streight’s guidance. The Aggie Cup is a competition within Texas A&M Athletics where teams earn points for service projects and other team unity activities.
An Allied Health major with a 3.708 cumulative GPA, Streight is studying to be a nurse. She has been on the Dean’s honor roll four times, the AD honor roll five times, the conference honor roll three times and is a NSCAA Scholar All-American.
A starter in every match of her career at Texas A&M, Streight starred on a 2012 defense that notched a school record 15 shutouts and posted a 0.63 goals-against average. For the past two seasons Streight earned first team selection in the NCSAA All-South Region, was named first team All-SEC and selected to the SEC All-Tournament team. Her accolades also placed her on the MAC Hermann watch list for 2013.
Among the other honors presented during the Building Champions Awards, the two Texas A&M nominees for the SEC McWhorter Award were recognized during the event and the conference office will officially announce the recipients of the award later this week.
The McWhorter Award is presented by the Southeastern Conference to a top senior male and female student-athlete with exceptional athletic, academic and community service accomplishments who receive a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship.
A total of 351 Texas A&M student-athletes were also recognized for achieving a semester or cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher during the 2013-14 school year, including 15 who were named Outstanding Athletic Scholars for posting a perfect 4.0 GPA for at least one semester.
Honors presented during the Building Champions Awards included:
Athletes of the Year – Awarded to the top male and female student-athletes bases upon athletic excellence and team leadership.
Male: Deon Lendore, track and field, and Johnny Manziel, football
Female: Breeja Larson, swimming and diving
Bill Erwin Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award – Named for longtime Texas A&M athletics supporter and local philanthropist Bill Erwin, the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is given to a male and female student-athlete who is in their final year of athletic eligibility and demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic performance.
Male: Paul-Marc Schweitzer, swimming and diving
Female: Allie Sawatzky, volleyball
Lohman Inspiration Award – Recognizes the student-athlete at Texas A&M who has demonstrated integrity, and most importantly, perseverance in overcoming incredible challenges in pursuit of his or her education. This person is a role model for others who have faced adversity in their own lives and thought about giving up.
Natalie Reeves, golf
Maroon Award – The most distinguished and highest honor given to a member of the 12th Man. It symbolizes passion and devotion for Aggie Athletics. Established to recognize an individual for their outstanding service and dedication to Texas A&M, the award pays tribute to the recipient for unwavering loyalty, sacrifice and commitment to the building of a championship program.
Artie ’65 and Dorothy McFerrin
Brad Davis SEC Community Service Post-graduate Scholarship – Presented to a senior male and female with exceptional community service accomplishments during their student-athlete career and recipients of a $5,000 post-graduate scholarship from the Southeastern Conference.
Male: Blake McDonald, basketball
Female: Nora Skelton, soccer
NCAA Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship – Developed by the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee. The NCAA awards $7,500 to a female college graduate who is seeking a career in intercollegiate athletics.
Caroline McElhany, swimming and diving
Newcomer of the Year – Presented annually to a male and female student-athlete who has made significant athletic contributions during his or her initial year at Texas A&M. These student-athletes must exhibit the core values of integrity, loyalty and respect while excelling at their sports.
Male: Shavez Hart, track and field
Female: Elizabeth Keester, soccer, and Shamier Little, track and field