University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Fund Hosts Annual Scholarship Banquet
10/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
On Monday night, the Golden Gopher Fund celebrated Gopher student-athletes and donors who support endowed scholarships at an annual banquet held at TCF Bank Stadium. A crowd of more than 400 packed the DQ Club Hospitality Room to enjoy a 60-minute program featuring a collection of speakers and award presentations.
"This is such a great event because it's a chance for our student-athletes and the amazing supporters who endow scholarships to get to know each other," said Director of Athletics Norwood Teague after presenting several awards and speaking at the event. "These young people are so appreciative of the opportunities they have here at Minnesota, and tonight they are able to personally thank the people that help make that happen by investing in Gopher Athletics."
Kyle Rau, a senior on the Gopher men's hockey team, and Kaitlyn Richardson, a senior on the Gopher softball team, accepted the Henry L. Williams and Patty Berg Legacy Awards, respectively. These awards recognize one male and one female student-athlete who excel in competition and in the classroom while representing the values of the athletics department.
Rau is a two-year captain for the men's hockey team. His 19 career game-winning goals are the most among all active NCAA players and he earned both All-Big Ten and All-America honors as the Gophers reached last season's National Championship game. He's also collected an impressive list of team, conference and national academic awards while majoring in Marketing in the Carlson School of Management.
"We really can't thank you enough for all of the opportunities you have given each and every one of us," he said during his opportunity to address the audience. "To be able to put on that Gopher hockey jersey every night and represent the whole state of Minnesota means so much to me."
Richardson is a senior captain for the Gopher softball team. She's a two-time All-American, two-time Academic All-Big Ten third baseman who has started in every game of her career (164 and counting). She's led the team in batting average every season she's worn the Maroon and Gold. Richardson also has an unblemished run as a Scholar-Athlete, earning the honor every semester of her career as she pursues her major in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at the Carlson School of Management.
"Patty Berg is an inspiration to me and embraced every aspect of being a Gopher," Richardson said after accepting her award. "I will continue to push myself just as Patty Berg did for the rest of my career here and life after school."
Mark and Deborah Kravik received the Director's Award at the event, presented annually to a donor or donors in honor of outstanding service and commitment to University of Minnesota Athletics and its student-athletes.
"Mark and Deb have a very passionate connection to Gopher Athletics that runs deep," said Randy Handel, associate athletics director for development. "They are tremendous fans and they have been incredibly generous in their support of our student-athletes and facilities here at the University. They are very deserving of the Director's Award."
In addition to Teague, Handel and each of the award winners, Dr. Christie Heikes took the podium during the early part of the program. Dr. Heikes is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Twin Cities Orthopedics. She ran cross country and track for the Gophers from 1993-98, serving as a team captain her senior season and earning Academic All-Big Ten recognition in both 1996 and 1997. She earned her undergraduate degree, her medical degree and completed her residency training at the University of Minnesota.
"As a student-athlete, I had the privilege of receiving some scholarship aid," said Heikes during her address. "Because of that support, I followed my dream and went to medical school ... I thank the donors from before, current donors and future donors for their support of Gopher student-athletes."
Mike Grimm emceed the evening, which included highlighting the academic and athletics successes of Gopher student-athletes during the past year and reflecting on the impact of former Director's Award winner Bob McNamara, who passed away last summer.
