ARLINGTON – The UT Arlington Department of Athletics took a brief break from competition on Wednesday night, honoring the multitude of successes in the last 12 months and celebrating the careers of its graduating seniors at College Park Center in the annual All Sports Banquet, presented by Texas Trust Credit Union.
 
With UTA President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari and First Lady Lisa Karbhari, Texas Trust President and CEO Jim Minge and his wife, Pat, University Provost Dr. Tek Lim and representatives from each of the table sponsors, Maverick Club members, alumni, fans, student-athletes and staff in attendance, it was a night of Maverick celebration before next week's commencement ceremonies.
 
With about 400 attendees, the All Sports Banquet featured a series of annual awards handed out, recognition of UTA's multitude of team and individual championships and accomplishments, a Senior Ring Presentation for 2018 graduates and much more. Descriptions of each award and the recipients' biographies are included throughout this release, with a complete list of winners at the end.
 
"Tonight was about our student-athletes, and I want to congratulate all of those who received awards, the seniors for all of their dedication during their time here and the rest of their teammates for helping us achieve so many successes this year," said Director of Athletics Jim Baker. "I also want to thank everyone who joined us this evening and for their support of UTA Athletics, in particular our corporate sponsors and Maverick Club members. I'd be remiss not to also highlight our terrific head coaches and their respective staffs – if not for all their hard work, tonight would not be possible."
 
Each of UTA's teams were recognized throughout the night, with men's cross country, women's basketball and men's indoor track and field being highlighted for winning Sun Belt Conference championships. Additionally, 2018 NCAA Outdoor High Jump National Champion Alexus Henry was honored, along with three head coaches who won SBC Coach of the Year honors: John Sauerhage (men's cross country and men's indoor track and field), Krista Gerlich (women's basketball) and Chris Ogden (men's basketball). Furthermore, Doug Garner was recognized for being a 2019 inductee of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame. (Story continues below photo gallery). The evening began with a catered meal from Spring Creek Barbeque following opening remarks from the evening's emcee – the voice of the Mavericks Josh Sours – and an invocation delivered by baseball pitcher Reid Petty. Following a brief introduction from Sours and a welcome by Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President Cy'Andria Newton, the event's first award was presented by Minge – the Texas Trust Star Award.
 
Given to the student who embodies the true spirit of being a Maverick, the Texas Trust Star Award recipient was Abby Dunkin from the Lady Movin' Mavs wheelchair basketball team. Dunkin is a two-time All-American and National Champion, and a gold medal winner at the 2016 Rio Games. She is a scholarship recipient from College of Nursing and Innovation, and a group winner from Undergrads Research Methods. Her community service includes being a speaker for the Understanding Differences program, speaking at various schools and events and much more.
 
The Big Al's Community Service Award was presented next to the male and female student-athletes who had dedicated the most time serving various organizations and groups in the community. The award is named in honor of longtime UTA professor and namesake of the softball complex Allan Saxe. The women's winner was volleyball's Madison McConnell, while the men's winner was baseball's Logan Austin.
 
McConnell has volunteered in many roles on campus, throughout DFW and even worldwide. This past summer she was one of four student-athletes who traveled as Team Uganda to South Africa and volunteered for the Musana Community Development Organization. She also helped develop the #ResponsibleMavericks philosophy and attended the NCAA's APPLE Conference in Orlando to discuss the initiative.
 
For the second-straight year, Austin earned the award. A member of the SAAC Leadership Team, he helps plan student-athlete events and programs throughout the year. Austin has also served local organizations Mission Arlington, Salvation Army and volunteers at local elementary schools. In addition to assisting with several other on-campus events, Austin is an accomplished swim instructor who provides swim lessons through a scholarship program for people of all ages.
 
Academic Achievement awards were next presented to the men's and women's team with the highest cumulative GPA for the two most recent semesters. Women's golf won the award with a 3.571 cumulative GPA, while baseball claimed the men's honor with a 3.204.
 
The Maverick Club Student-Athletes of the Year go to a male and female senior student-athlete who has demonstrated excellence in both competition and academics. The women's winner was now two-time recipient Henry, while the men's winner was baseball's Will Olson.
 
In addition to her aforementioned National Championship last June, Henry is a three-time Sun Belt individual champion, a two-time qualifier in the NCAA Outdoor High Jump and has finished inside the top 10 in the NCAA Indoor High Jump twice. A school record holder in four events – more than any other athlete in UTA history – Henry was a 2018 Academic All-American who carries a GPA better than 3.0 and is set to graduate later this month with a degree in Math Education.
 
Olson has been named to multiple award lists this year for Catcher of the Year. He was named to the 2017 Sun Belt Second Team, the 2017 and 2018 Sun Belt Honor Roll and the 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-American Third Team, and he has also been a three-time member of the Sun Belt Commissioner's List. Olson completed his double major in business and finance last May with a 3.7 GPA, and is currently possesses a 4.0 GPA while working toward his Master's of Business.
 
The Faculty/Staff Loyalty Award is presented to a member of the campus community for his or her exceptional support of student-athletes and their academic and athletic efforts. Baker presented this year's award to Shelby Boseman.
 
Boseman is UTA's Chief Legal Officer and University Attorney who assists with counsel and helps Department of Athletics officials review policies and programs which directly affect all student-athletes. He previously served as the interim Faculty Athletics Representative with no hesitation and little notice, and can frequently be seen at Maverick games and events along with his family.
 
The evening concluded with arguably the most prestigious awards the department issues – the B.G. Wilson Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The award recognizes a male and female student-athlete who best epitomizes the 'student-first' and 'athlete-second' mantra. The award is named for former baseball player B.G. Wilson, who played for the Mavs from 1993-96.
 
The women's honor went to Whitney Walton from the softball team, while the men's honor went to track and field's Deontre Haynes.
 
Walton carries a 4.0 GPA in her Bachelor of Science program, was named a 2017 and 2018 NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete and also garnered a spot on the 2017-18 Sun Belt Commissioner's List. In the community, she volunteers at Mission Arlington and is an active member of SAAC. Walton also joined McConnell as one of four student-athletes who traveled as Team Uganda to South Africa and volunteered for the Musana Community Development Organization. On the softball field this year, she has already set the single-season program record for runs scored with 48, holds a batting average of .389, is slugging a team-best .541 and boasts a team-leading 14 doubles.
 
Haynes is a History major with a 3.0 GPA who was a member of the 2016-17 Sun Belt Honor Roll. He is on the SAAC Leadership Team, and volunteers at Mission Arlington, his church, with CASA Run, Pack a Shack, Mav Mov-In and in various other roles on campus and in the community. He currently owns the fastest 100-meter time in the Sun Belt, and possesses the second-fastest time in the 200-meter. Haynes has been an all-conference performer seven times in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4x100. He, along with UTA, is in pursuit of what would be a second triple crown in four years – a clean sweep of the cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field Sun Belt championships.
 
2018-19 AWARD WINNERS
B.G. Wilson Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Male): Deontre Haynes – Track & Field
B.G. Wilson Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Female): Whitney Walton – Softball
 
Maverick Club Student-Athlete of the Year (Male): Will Olson – Baseball
Maverick Club Student-Athlete of the Year (Female): Alexus Henry – Track & Field
 
Big Al's Community Service Award (Male): Logan Austin – Baseball
Big Al's Community Service Award (Female): Madison McConnell – Volleyball
 
Academic Achievement – Highest Men's Team Cumulative GPA: Baseball
Academic Achievement – Highest Women's Team Cumulative GPA: Golf
 
Texas Trust Star Award: Abby Dunkin – Lady Movin' Mavs
 
Faculty/Staff Loyalty Award: Shelby Boseman – Chief Legal Officer & University Attorney
 
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