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Fighting Illini Spirit Award

The Fighting Illini Spirit Award is given annually to the male and female student-athletes who best exemplify the spirit, courage, effort and dedication of the Fighting Illini.

FIGHTING ILLINI ATHLETICS AWARDS

» Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year 
» Big Ten Medal of Honor 
» Freshman of the Year

» Newcomer of the Year
» Big Ten Jackie Robinson Award
» Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award
» Spirit Award

Male Recipient

Year Name Sport
1990 Darrick Brownlow Football
1991 Andy Kpedi Basketball
1992 Mike Hopkins Football
1993 Scott Turner Football/Track & Field
1993 Pete Frew Baseball
1994 Steve Bridges Track & Field/Cross Country
1995 Ernest Benion Wrestling
1996 Jeremy Sutter Tennis
1997 Ernest Benion Wrestling
1998 Gavin Sontag Tennis
1999 Travis Romagnoli Gymnastics
2000 Joe Sprengard Baseball
2001 Babatunde Ridley Track & Field
2002 Chad Hay Wrestling
2002 Mike Kosta Tennis
2003 Jerrance Howard Basketball
2004 Erik Garnett Gymnastics
2005 Chris Martin Tennis
2006 Alex Tirapelle Wrestling
2007 Shawn Roof Baseball
2008 J Leman Football
2009 Chester Frazier Basketball
2010 Juice Williams Football
2010 Luke Stannard Gymnastics
2011 Chad Wiest Gymnastics
2012 Nathan Scheelhaase Football
2013 Corey Lewis Football
2014 Ross Guignon Tennis
2015 Reilly O'Toole Football
2016 Joe Spencer Football
2017 Tracy Abrams Basketball
2018 Carver James Wrestling
2019 David Craan Baseball
2020 Dre Brown Football
2020 Andres Feliz Basketball
2021 Zeke Clark Tennis
2022 Jake Hansen Football
2023 Alex Palczewski Football
2024 Isaiah Williams Football
2025 Matthew Bailey Football

Female Recipient

Year Name Sport
1990 Heather Singalewitch Gymnastics
1991 Tonja Buford Track & Field
1992 Kate Riley Basketball
1993 Tonya Booker Basketball
1994 Merrill Mullis Volleyball
1995 Dina Slomski Gymnastics
1995 Lissa Kimmel Tennis
1996 Laura Mindock Track & Field
1997 Kelly Scherr Volleyball
1998 Missy Kann Soccer
1999 Trisha Henry Swimming & Diving
2000 Melissa Beitz Volleyball
2001 Betsy Spicer Volleyball
2002 Ade Oshinowo Track & Field
2003 Sarah Baumgartner Softball
2004 Kelly Walker Soccer
2005 Erin Virtue Volleyball
2006 Rasa Virsilaite Volleyball
2007 Caroline Moore Swimming & Diving
2008 Shannon McDonnell Soccer
2009 Kayani Turner Volleyball
2010 Megan Fudge Tennis
2011 Krystin Miller Soccer
2012 Amy Allin Tennis
2013 Shayla Mutz Soccer
2014 Jennifer Beltran Volleyball
2015 Melissa Kopinski Tennis
2016 Taylore Peterson Soccer
2017 Jill Nicklas Softball
2018 Taylor Edwards Softball
2019 Beth Prince Volleyball
2019 Veronica Ruelius Softball
2020 Taylor Edwards Basketball
2021 Mallory Mizuki Gymnastics
2022 Mia Townes Gymnastics
2023 Kendall Bostic Basketball
2024 Jada Peebles Basketball
2025 Adalia McKenzie Basketball