Annual DIA Awards | Follow @IlliniAthletics

The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) hands out four major awards each academic year to honor the best and brightest Fighting Illini student-athletes – Dike Eddleman Athletes of the Year, Illini Freshmen of the Year, Fighting Illini Spirit Awards, and Big Ten Medals of Honor.

Normally, the Medal of Honor and the Spirit Awards are handed out and Eddleman Award and Freshman of the Year finalists are recognized at the annual Oskee Awards ceremony, along with several other academic honors. However, with the cancellation of the college sports season on March 12 and stay-at-home orders in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's awards will be announced online. 

Male nominees for the Eddleman, Freshman, and Spirit awards were announced on April 30, with female nominees coming on May 1. Winners for the three awards, along with several academic honors and the Big Ten Medal of Honor, will be announced May 6-14. 

Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year | History

The Illinois Athlete of the Year Award is given to the female and male student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in athletic achievement. In 1993, the award was named after Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, who is generally considered the greatest athlete in the history of Illinois athletics. Eddleman participated in basketball, football and track & field in 1943 and 1946-49, earning a combined 11 varsity letters in his career.

Male Eddleman Nominees (7)
Ayo Dosunmu, Basketball
Irwin Loud, Cross Country
Dele Harding, Football
Michael Feagles, Golf
Danny Graham, Gymnastics
Jonathan Wells, Track & Field
Travis Piotrowski, Wrestling

Female Eddleman Nominees (8)
Allison McGrath, Cross Country
Taylor Shegos, Diving
Tristyn Nowlin, Golf
Shaylah Scott, Gymnastics
Kelly Maday, Soccer
Bella Loya, Softball
Chisom Nwoko, Track & Field
Jacqueline Quade, Volleyball

Illinois Freshman of the Year | History

Since 1990*, the Illinois Freshman of the Year Award has been given annually to the best performing male and female student-athlete in his or her first year of competition in college athletics.
   *From 1990-2017 the award was called the Newcomer of the Year Award and allowed for transfers to win. Starting in 2018 it became Freshman of the Year making it open only to those in their first year of competition in college

Male Freshman Nominees (7)
Kofi Cockburn, Basketball
Jack Roberts, Cross Country
Casey Washington, Football
Jerry Ji, Golf
Connor McCool, Gymnastics
Jason Thormo, Track & Field
Danny Braunagel, Wrestling

Female Freshman Nominees (9)
Kennedi Myles, Basketball
Emma Wilson, Cross Country
Mia Takekawa, Gymnastics
Kendra Pasquale, Soccer
Delaney Rummell, Softball
Athena Salafatinos, Swimming
Josie Frazier, Tennis
Olivia Howell, Track & Field
Diana Brown, Volleyball

Fighting Illini Spirit Award | History

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.

Male Spirit Award Nominees (6)
Ty Weber, Baseball
Andres Feliz, Basketball
Dre Brown, Football
Sebastian Quiana, Gymnastics
Jordan Cagigal, Track & Field
Luke Luffman, Wrestling

Female Spirit Award Nominees (6)
Taylor Edwards, Basketball
Nicole Biondi, Gymnastics
Kelly Maday, Soccer
Morgan Scivally, Softball
Abigail Cabush, Swimming
Carolyn Nye, Track & Field