A/PPS 07.03 - Awards and Recognitions

POLICY STATEMENT

1. The purpose of this policy is to list current student-athlete awards and recognitions, eligibility requirements for student athlete awards, jersey retirement eligibility and procedures, ring ordering process and approval procedures, and Society of Champions requirements and listing of locations where the recognitions are held.

ACADEMIC AWARDS

1. Sun Belt Conference Academic Awards

   At the conclusion of the season, the conference office shall recognize those student-athletes who met or exceeded academic excellence.

   The list of recognitions includes the following:

   1. Conference Medallion – any Sun Belt Conference student-athlete who successfully completes graduation requirements at a member institution shall be awarded a graduation medallion awarded by the Conference. The conference medallion may be worn during graduation ceremonies.

   2. Commissioner’s All-Academic List – a compilation of all student-athletes to be honored for academic achievement. Student-athletes must attain a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) during the current academic year, not as a cumulative average.

   3. Academic Honor Roll – a compilation of all student-athletes to be honored for academic achievement. Student-athletes must attain a minimum 3.5 GPA during the current academic year, not as a cumulative average.

2. NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarships

   Student-athletes may be nominated for NCAA post-graduate scholarships and national scholarships. The Athletics academic staff, Sports Information staff, and Internal Operations staff will work together to nominate student-athletes, as appropriate, for these awards.

3. Bobcat Academic Excellence Awards

   Bobcat Academic Excellence Awards are presented to any student-athlete, cheerleader, Strutter, or athletic trainer with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the previous two semesters. Recipients of these awards receive a framed certificate in recognition of their accomplishment.

4. Star of Excellence Award

   The Star of Excellence Award is presented to any student-athlete, cheerleader, Strutter, or athletic trainer who has earned 4.0 GPA in one or both previous two semesters. Recipients of these awards receive a framed certificate in recognition of their accomplishment.

5. Emmett Shelton Award

   The Emmett Shelton Award is presented to the male and female sports team that maintains the highest team GPA during the previous calendar year.

6. Jean Smith Outstanding Woman Athlete Award

   The Jean Smith Outstanding Woman Athlete Award is presented to an outstanding female, student-athlete at Texas State University and is determined based on athletic ability, GPA, number of letters earned, athletic honors, and recommendations to the selection committee. The recipient must enroll in graduate courses at Texas State within two years of receiving the award. This award requires a completed application packet.

7. Texas State Athletics Outstanding Male Athlete Award

   The Outstanding Male Athlete Award is presented to an outstanding male, student-athlete at Texas State and is determined based on athletic ability, GPA, number of letters earned, athletic honors, and recommendations to the selection committee. The recipient must enroll in graduate courses at Texas State within two years of receiving the award. This award requires a completed application packet.

8. Texas State Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award

   The Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to outstanding male and female student-athletes who meet the following criteria: a letter winner of junior or senior status who has completed at least one full year of education at Texas State and has an overall minimum GPA of 3.2.

9. T-Association Ring Ceremony

   The T-Association ring ceremony is symbolic of excellence, not only on the playing field, but also in the classroom. The Department of Athletics initiated this program in May 1986. The ring ceremony is held at the conclusion of each semester, including summer. Eligible student-athletes are presented with the final T-Association letter award, a Bobcat ring, and a graduation cord, provided by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. A student-athlete is eligible to receive a T-Association Bobcat ring if they exhausted their NCAA eligibility at Texas State and completed requirements for an undergraduate degree from Texas State within one year after exhausting eligibility. Exceptions of this policy are approved by Athletics senior staff committee.

T-ASSOCIATION AWARDS

1. Eligible student-athletes are presented with T-Association letter awards each year. Head coaches are responsible for determining if student-athletes are lettered. Student-athletes must still be on the team or have exhausted eligibility in their sport to receive a T-Association letter award. The awards are:

   1. year one – backpack;

   2. year two – fleece blanket;

   3. year three – watch; and

   4. year four – Bobcat Ring (see Section 02.09 for more information on this award).

CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS

1. The head coach will work with the associate Athletics director for Internal Operations to initiate the ring ordering process. This will include developing the design and concept and compiling a list of those individuals that will receive rings. Final approvals of ring designs, expenditures, and list of recipients are the responsibilities of the associate athletics director and the director of Athletics.

JERSEY RETIREMENT PROCEDURES

1. Criteria for athletic jersey retirement is as follows:

   1. athlete must have completed a minimum of two seasons at Texas State;

   2. athlete must have graduated from Texas State;

   3. athlete must have shown outstanding citizenship during active years at Texas State and following graduation; and

   4. athlete must have received national recognition during their career.

   National recognition could include, but is not limited to, All-American honors, Academic All-American honors, NCAA athletic or academic recognition, national statistical leadership in an individual category, or participation in a professional league after graduation. A minimum of five years must have elapsed since the athlete’s completion of eligibility, Consideration is given to extended years of service at Texas State or extended years of consistent involvement with the university.

SOCIETY OF CHAMPIONS

1. The Society of Champions was initiated, at Texas State, in the fall of 2003 to honor coaches in any intercollegiate sport who win a national championship. Football and men’s and women’s track field sports hosts the Society of Champions recognition at the Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium. Baseball, softball, and soccer recognitions are held at their respective playing fields. All other sports are honored at the University Events Center.

REVIEWERS OF THIS PPS

1. Reviewer of this PPS includes the following:

   Position	Date
   Director, Athletics	November 1 E3Y

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

This PPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State Athletics policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

Director, Athletics; senior reviewer of this PPS

President