WASHINGTON - Student-athletes, coaches, and staff gathered at American University's Washington College of Law for the 2024-25 AU Athletics Student-Athlete Awards, and it was a great night to celebrate a remarkable year of achievement. Prior to the start of the official awards program, senior graduation stoles were presented to all those set to graduate this year. 

2024-25 AU Athletics Highlight Reel

MVPs were honored for most programs, including cheer and dance. 
The lacrosse and outdoor track MVPs will be announced at the conclusion of those seasons.

The Top Team GPA winners were field hockey (3.79) and men's swimming & diving (3.46).

Administrator Patty Medina recognized the 2024-25 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Executive Board, Bryn Underwood, Morissa Lambert, Ciera Thacker, and Katie Yoo. The four SAAC leaders also served as MCs for the event.

The Stafford H. Cassell Award is presented to alumni who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience at American. This year’s recipients were YY and Sarah Katz Yiljep. Both distinguished themselves as student-athletes—YY in men’s basketball and Sarah in volleyball. Since then, they have continued to serve AU Athletics as leaders. YY has held two roles in the SASP program, supporting student-athletes through leadership and life skills programming. Sarah recently completed a remarkable nine-year run as a coach and mentor, contributing to nine Patriot League championships either as a player or coach.

Also handed out was the Barbara J. Reimann Postgraduate Scholarship, given to the lacrosse team's Maddy Spratt. The Reimann Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded to a senior who has excelled athletically, academically and in community service. It is also awarded to someone who will be pursuing a postgraduate degree.

There was a new honor handed out this year for Newcomer of the Year representing both a men's sport and women's sport, and the winners were Kaden Milheim (wrestling) and Zedo Yilmaz (volleyball).

The honors for Senior Athlete of the Year representing a men's sport and women's sport were awarded to Elijah Stephens (men's basketball) and Tayla-Jade Weiss (field hockey).

The final individual honors were for the Most Outstanding Performers representing a men's sport and women's sport, which were awarded to Matt Rogers (men's basketball) and Mimi Watts (women's swim & dive).

The Eagle Spirit Award is given to the team that embodies what it means to be a part of the Eagle Family. They support fellow athletes outside their respective teams and consistently encourage and champion the entire department. This award was voted on by members of SAAC. The winner of the Eagle Spirit Award, for the first time, was the lacrosse team.

The “Top Moment of the Year,” award was also voted on by SAAC. See the video of all moments below. This year's winning moment was a buzzer-beating shot by graduate student Lincoln Ball of men's basketball, giving the Eagles a 68-67 win over Lehigh on January 22.

The event concluded with a Senior Slideshow tribute to honor all those graduating in 2025.