Laquon Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche accept the Best Game Award for the Oct. 4 football game against Alabama at the Rebels’ Choice Awards Monday. PHOTO BY: MARLEE CRAWFORD
Ole Miss Athletics hosted the fifth annual Rebels’ Choice Awards last night to showcase the highlights and standouts of the past year as part of National Student-Athlete Day.
Athletics dedicated the ceremony to Chancellor Dan Jones. ESPN Sports Telecaster Holly Rowe hosted the event, which included live music and highlight videos in addition to awards presentations.
Awards consisted of seven individual awards and five team awards. The Game of the Year, Play of the Year and Fan Favorite Awards were decided by online fan voting. Play of the Year went to running back Jaylen Walton’s 96-yard touchdown run against Mississippi State, and Game of the Year went to football’s win over Alabama. Sophomore wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and junior basketball guard Gracie Frizzell won the Fan Favorite awards.
The National Consortium for Academics and Sports founded National Student-Athlete Day in 1987. It takes place April 6. The NCAA has participated in the celebration since 1994.
Jessica Poole, assistant manager of media relations for Ole Miss Athletics, explained why the awards take place.
“This is kind of a way for us to celebrate our student-athletes, as well as for them to celebrate each other, the year and their accomplishments,” said Poole.
Prior to the ceremony, student-athletes interacted with faculty, press and one another in a red carpet event.
During that time, athletes explained their feelings coming off highs and lows in their seasons. Sophomore softball player Courtney Syrett commented on the championship belt the team passed between its members throughout the evening.
“We beat State this weekend, so we get this belt for 24 hours. It really is sort of heavy,” Syrett said.
Sophomore basketball player Sebastian Saiz commented on his return to Oxford after the 76-57 loss to Xavier in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“It’s kind of a weird feeling to be done playing, but it feels good to be back with the Ole Miss family,” Saiz said. “It’s time to enjoy now.”
Kristen Furr, one of the cheerleaders who accompanied the Rebel Black Bear on the red carpet, commented on the experience of escorting the mascot.
“We spend a lot of time with Rebel, so it’s definitely interesting to see him in this formal attire, as opposed to the basketball jersey or the football jersey,” Furr said.
Associate head softball coach Jake Schumann enjoyed his first time at the awards.
“It’s my first time, so it’s kind of neat. I think it’s awesome that the athletic department puts together something like this for the athletes to emulate the ESPY’s or the Oscars,” Schumann said. “They get all dressed up and you don’t even recognize half of them.”
Other notable award recipients were the women’s soccer team, which won the Chancellor’s Cup, and the volleyball and baseball teams, which won Team of the Year.
