University of Minnesota Athletics
Football and Softball Take Home Hardware at 2020 Golden Goldys
5/13/2020 7:58:00 PM | Athletics, Student-Athlete Development
The University of Minnesota athletic department hosted the 14th-annual Golden Goldys awards ceremony this evening. The event celebrates the athletic and academic success of the department and was held virtually this year. In a pre-recorded event, Golden Gopher student-athletes, coaches and staff were able to watch the awards ceremony online this year.
The Golden Goldys voting process includes spring sports of 2019 (baseball, men's and women's golf, rowing, softball, men's and women's outdoor track & field and men's and women's tennis) and the fall and winter sports of the 2019-20 athletic year. This year's banquet marked the 14th Golden Goldys gala and the 31st year of the Scholar Athlete banquet. The two banquets consolidated in 2010 to recognize both the athletic and academic achievements of its 675 student-athletes. It marks the first year the banquet has not occurred in person due to COVID-19.
On the men's side, Football walked away with the team of the year, while head coach P.J. Fleck was named coach of the year. Fleck's 2019 team won 11 games, the most in program history since 1904. The team also won seven Big Ten games, the most ever and claimed three Big Ten awards in Coach of the Year (Fleck), Wide Receiver of the Year (Rashod Bateman) and Defensive Back of the Year (Antoine Winfield Jr.). The team also won the Outback Bowl win over No. 9 Auburn, Minnesota's best nonconference win in school history and first Jan. 1 bowl victory since 1962. Fleck was also named the AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year and a finalist for the George Munger Award, Dodd Trophy, Eddie Robinson Award, Bear Bryant Award and AFCA National Coach of the Year.
Antoine Winfield Jr. garnered the men's athlete of the year. Winfield Jr. shined in 2019 when he was named a unanimous All-American and Gopher first since 2005. The All-Big Ten First Team honoree led the team in tackles (88), solo tackles (62), interceptions (7) and tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (2). He capped off his redshirt sophomore year getting drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft and the 45th pick overall. Tanner Morgan was named the men's breakthrough athlete of the year. Morgan was a backup to start in 2018 and was placed into the starting role due to an injury. Since then, he set 11 single-season passing records in 2019 including passing yards (3,253) and touchdown passes (30). The All-Big Ten Second Team selection was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award (best QB in the nation) and The Manning Award (best QB in the nation, including bowl performance).
On the women's side, Softball garnered the team of the year and the women's athlete of the year. In 2019, softball advanced to the first ever Women's College World Series in program history during the NCAA era. The team finished 46-14, No. 8 in both major softball polls and No. 7 in the RPI. The RPI was not only the highest RPI to finish a season, but the highest at any point in program history. Softball won the Minneapolis Regional with three wins and followed with two victories over LSU in the first ever Minneapolis Super Regional. Pitcher Amber Fiser was named the women's athlete of the year. During her junior season, Fiser was named a First Team NCAA All-American, Honda Cup Award Finalist and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. She appeared in 46 games with 40 starts in the circle going 31-9 with a 1.27 ERA and 346 strikeouts. Her 31 wins on the season tied for second all-time in program history and 346 strikeouts ranked third all-time.
The Big Ten Medal of Honor went to football's Carter Coughlin and women's gymnastics' Ivy Lu. For more information on their award, read here.
Lindsey Kozelsky (swimming) and Sam Renner (football) received Lindahl Academic Center Outstanding Achievement Award. This honor is presented to one men's and one women's student-athlete and their success in both the classroom and athletics. Kozelsky is set to graduate this month with her master's degree in teaching licensure having already completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education foundations. Along with her high achievement in the classroom, Kozelsky has also had a successful career in the pool, earning All-America honors 11 times and qualifying for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships four times in her career. Renner is currently working towards his masters of accountancy degree after having already completed his bachelor's degree in applied economics. In addition to his success in the classroom, Renner was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season as well as a Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist.
Dawson LaRance (track & field) and Zetta Mason (cross country/track & field) were awarded the Land O'Lakes Outstanding Achievement Award in Leadership and Service. Selected by Land O'Lakes, this award is given to one male and one female student-athlete who are accomplished in the areas of leadership and volunteerism. Mason helped founded the Athletes Supporting Advocacy and Prevention (ASAP). She has also taken initiative on educating her peers by assisting with the organization and facilitation of the student-athlete bystander intervention training. Mason was also a participant of the leadership retreat where she engaged and collaborated with 23 other student-athletes in developing her personal leadership skills. LaRance has taken strong initiatives to further advance the Gopher Advocates & Allies leadership group. He demonstrates the Gopher Advocates & Allies mission daily by "creating a visible, inclusive, and welcoming culture."
Sydney Scobee (women's hockey) received the Women's Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. After being a part time starter as a junior, she emerged into the starting role. Scobee was named WCHA Goaltender of the Year and named the WCHA Goaltending Champion when she posted a 1.63 goals against average, 17 wins, and six shutouts in 24 conference games. She was also named an All-WCHA First Team honoree, her first-ever of her career.
Ben Meyers (men's hockey) and Amira Young (women's track & field) garnered the men's and women's rookie of the year awards. Meyers received All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors and was one of three finalists for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He led all Minnesota freshmen and finished third overall for the Gophers with 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists). As a true freshman, Young competed at eight meets with appearances in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay during the 2019 outdoor season. Named Second Team All-Big Ten in 100 meters, Young was also a NCAA Championship qualifier in the 100 meters. She also finished as the Big Ten runner-up in the 100 meters and placed fourth in the 200 meters.
Nick Saulnier and Max McHugh received the Richard "Pinky" McNamara Student-Athlete Achievement Award, given to individuals who have inspired all by making an extraordinary effort to succeed despite difficult circumstances, persevering during a time of tremendous adversity and/or overcoming a great challenge.
The Outstanding Academic Team Awards were presented to the men and women's teams representing both the large and small team categories. Large teams are made up of 22 members or more, while small teams are made up of 21 members or fewer and includes the grade point averages of the past spring and fall semesters. The women's small team winner was softball and the large team winner was cross country. On the men's side, it was tennis (small) and men's hockey (large).
The Top Five Award recognizes the five highest grade point averages by male and female student-athletes. On the women's side: Meleah Biermaier (track & field), McKenna Buisman (soccer), Megan Hasz (cross country), Bethany Hasz (cross country), Lindsay Eliasen (rowing); while the men's teams included: Alec Basten (cross country), Colton Dee (gymnastics), Duncan Lester (diving), Henry Meeker (gymnastics) and Jeremy Moser (diving).
Women's Swimming & Diving was awarded the Gladys Brooks Commitment to Academic Excellence Award, as Men's Basketball was awarded the Norman Borlaug Commitment to Academic Excellence Award. Zetta Mason (track & field) and Jacob Herbers (football) were both given the Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship.
The Tom H. Swain Campus Recognition Award is presented each year to a member of the University Community who has had a positive impact on our student-athletes and whose has helped support the mission of the Lindahl Academic Center to help students in their academic pursuits. Cindy Pavlowski received this year's award in honor of her commitment to the student-athletes and her partnership with the Lindahl Academic Center. Over the course of her time at Minnesota, Pavlowski has worked in partnership with the Lindahl Academic Center to assist with student-athletes to pursue degrees in both the youth studies undergraduate program and youth development leadership master's program.
The teammate of the year award went to Minnesota's sport psychology department: Dr. Carly Anderson, Dr. Tommy Fritze, Dr. Adam Gallenberg, Dr. Marissa Norman.
The Golden Goldys voting process includes spring sports of 2019 (baseball, men's and women's golf, rowing, softball, men's and women's outdoor track & field and men's and women's tennis) and the fall and winter sports of the 2019-20 athletic year. This year's banquet marked the 14th Golden Goldys gala and the 31st year of the Scholar Athlete banquet. The two banquets consolidated in 2010 to recognize both the athletic and academic achievements of its 675 student-athletes. It marks the first year the banquet has not occurred in person due to COVID-19.
On the men's side, Football walked away with the team of the year, while head coach P.J. Fleck was named coach of the year. Fleck's 2019 team won 11 games, the most in program history since 1904. The team also won seven Big Ten games, the most ever and claimed three Big Ten awards in Coach of the Year (Fleck), Wide Receiver of the Year (Rashod Bateman) and Defensive Back of the Year (Antoine Winfield Jr.). The team also won the Outback Bowl win over No. 9 Auburn, Minnesota's best nonconference win in school history and first Jan. 1 bowl victory since 1962. Fleck was also named the AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year and a finalist for the George Munger Award, Dodd Trophy, Eddie Robinson Award, Bear Bryant Award and AFCA National Coach of the Year.
Antoine Winfield Jr. garnered the men's athlete of the year. Winfield Jr. shined in 2019 when he was named a unanimous All-American and Gopher first since 2005. The All-Big Ten First Team honoree led the team in tackles (88), solo tackles (62), interceptions (7) and tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (2). He capped off his redshirt sophomore year getting drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft and the 45th pick overall. Tanner Morgan was named the men's breakthrough athlete of the year. Morgan was a backup to start in 2018 and was placed into the starting role due to an injury. Since then, he set 11 single-season passing records in 2019 including passing yards (3,253) and touchdown passes (30). The All-Big Ten Second Team selection was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award (best QB in the nation) and The Manning Award (best QB in the nation, including bowl performance).
On the women's side, Softball garnered the team of the year and the women's athlete of the year. In 2019, softball advanced to the first ever Women's College World Series in program history during the NCAA era. The team finished 46-14, No. 8 in both major softball polls and No. 7 in the RPI. The RPI was not only the highest RPI to finish a season, but the highest at any point in program history. Softball won the Minneapolis Regional with three wins and followed with two victories over LSU in the first ever Minneapolis Super Regional. Pitcher Amber Fiser was named the women's athlete of the year. During her junior season, Fiser was named a First Team NCAA All-American, Honda Cup Award Finalist and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. She appeared in 46 games with 40 starts in the circle going 31-9 with a 1.27 ERA and 346 strikeouts. Her 31 wins on the season tied for second all-time in program history and 346 strikeouts ranked third all-time.
The Big Ten Medal of Honor went to football's Carter Coughlin and women's gymnastics' Ivy Lu. For more information on their award, read here.
Lindsey Kozelsky (swimming) and Sam Renner (football) received Lindahl Academic Center Outstanding Achievement Award. This honor is presented to one men's and one women's student-athlete and their success in both the classroom and athletics. Kozelsky is set to graduate this month with her master's degree in teaching licensure having already completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education foundations. Along with her high achievement in the classroom, Kozelsky has also had a successful career in the pool, earning All-America honors 11 times and qualifying for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships four times in her career. Renner is currently working towards his masters of accountancy degree after having already completed his bachelor's degree in applied economics. In addition to his success in the classroom, Renner was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season as well as a Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist.
Dawson LaRance (track & field) and Zetta Mason (cross country/track & field) were awarded the Land O'Lakes Outstanding Achievement Award in Leadership and Service. Selected by Land O'Lakes, this award is given to one male and one female student-athlete who are accomplished in the areas of leadership and volunteerism. Mason helped founded the Athletes Supporting Advocacy and Prevention (ASAP). She has also taken initiative on educating her peers by assisting with the organization and facilitation of the student-athlete bystander intervention training. Mason was also a participant of the leadership retreat where she engaged and collaborated with 23 other student-athletes in developing her personal leadership skills. LaRance has taken strong initiatives to further advance the Gopher Advocates & Allies leadership group. He demonstrates the Gopher Advocates & Allies mission daily by "creating a visible, inclusive, and welcoming culture."
Sydney Scobee (women's hockey) received the Women's Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. After being a part time starter as a junior, she emerged into the starting role. Scobee was named WCHA Goaltender of the Year and named the WCHA Goaltending Champion when she posted a 1.63 goals against average, 17 wins, and six shutouts in 24 conference games. She was also named an All-WCHA First Team honoree, her first-ever of her career.
Ben Meyers (men's hockey) and Amira Young (women's track & field) garnered the men's and women's rookie of the year awards. Meyers received All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors and was one of three finalists for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He led all Minnesota freshmen and finished third overall for the Gophers with 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists). As a true freshman, Young competed at eight meets with appearances in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay during the 2019 outdoor season. Named Second Team All-Big Ten in 100 meters, Young was also a NCAA Championship qualifier in the 100 meters. She also finished as the Big Ten runner-up in the 100 meters and placed fourth in the 200 meters.
Nick Saulnier and Max McHugh received the Richard "Pinky" McNamara Student-Athlete Achievement Award, given to individuals who have inspired all by making an extraordinary effort to succeed despite difficult circumstances, persevering during a time of tremendous adversity and/or overcoming a great challenge.
The Outstanding Academic Team Awards were presented to the men and women's teams representing both the large and small team categories. Large teams are made up of 22 members or more, while small teams are made up of 21 members or fewer and includes the grade point averages of the past spring and fall semesters. The women's small team winner was softball and the large team winner was cross country. On the men's side, it was tennis (small) and men's hockey (large).
The Top Five Award recognizes the five highest grade point averages by male and female student-athletes. On the women's side: Meleah Biermaier (track & field), McKenna Buisman (soccer), Megan Hasz (cross country), Bethany Hasz (cross country), Lindsay Eliasen (rowing); while the men's teams included: Alec Basten (cross country), Colton Dee (gymnastics), Duncan Lester (diving), Henry Meeker (gymnastics) and Jeremy Moser (diving).
Women's Swimming & Diving was awarded the Gladys Brooks Commitment to Academic Excellence Award, as Men's Basketball was awarded the Norman Borlaug Commitment to Academic Excellence Award. Zetta Mason (track & field) and Jacob Herbers (football) were both given the Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship.
The Tom H. Swain Campus Recognition Award is presented each year to a member of the University Community who has had a positive impact on our student-athletes and whose has helped support the mission of the Lindahl Academic Center to help students in their academic pursuits. Cindy Pavlowski received this year's award in honor of her commitment to the student-athletes and her partnership with the Lindahl Academic Center. Over the course of her time at Minnesota, Pavlowski has worked in partnership with the Lindahl Academic Center to assist with student-athletes to pursue degrees in both the youth studies undergraduate program and youth development leadership master's program.
The teammate of the year award went to Minnesota's sport psychology department: Dr. Carly Anderson, Dr. Tommy Fritze, Dr. Adam Gallenberg, Dr. Marissa Norman.
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