A/PPS 07.03 - Awards and Recognitions

POLICY STATEMENT

Texas State University is committed to honoring the achievements of its student-athletes by maintaining clear guidelines for awards and recognitions, including eligibility criteria, ceremonial processes, and the preservation of athletic legacy through designated displays and honors.

1. SCOPE

   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.

2. ACADEMIC AWARDS

   1. Sun Belt Conference (SBC) 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 SBC student-athlete who successfully completes graduation requirements at a member institution shall be awarded a graduation stole awarded by the Conference. The conference stole 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 3.0 to a 3.49 GPA for the academic year, not as a cumulative average.

   2. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Post-Graduate Scholarships

      Student-athletes may be nominated for NCAA post-graduate scholarships and national scholarships. The Athletics academic staff, Communications Office, 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 will be presented to any student-athlete, cheerleader, Strutter, or athletic trainer with a minimum 3.0 semester GPA in either one or both of the previous two semesters. Recipients of these awards will receive a certificate in recognition of their accomplishment.

   4. Star of Excellence Award

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

   5. Emmett Shelton Award

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

   6. Jean Smith Outstanding Athlete Award

      The Jean Smith Outstanding Athlete Award will be presented to an outstanding student-athlete at Texas State University and will be 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 will require a completed application in the Texas State BOSS System.

   7. Texas State Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award

      The Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award will be presented to one outstanding male and one 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 a 3.5.

   8. “T” Association Ring

      The “T” Association Ring represents a symbol of achievement for Texas State student-athletes who have demonstrated commitment both academically and athletically. Eligibility for receiving the “T” Association Ring will be determined based on the following circumstances:

      1. Student-athlete who exhausts their NCAA eligibility at Texas State and completed requirements for an undergraduate degree within one year after exhausting eligibility.

      2. Incoming graduate student transfer who exhausts their eligibility at Texas State and earns a degree within the degree program’s prescribed timeline.

      3. Student-athlete who graduates from Texas State but enters the transfer portal to attend another institution for their remaining eligibility will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

      4. Student-athlete who signs a professional contract and returns to Texas State to finish their degree at a later time will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

      5. Student-athlete who exhausts their eligibility at Texas State but graduates past the one-year timeframe will be allowed to purchase a “T” ring at their own expense.

      6. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Athletics Senior Staff Committee.

   9. “T” Association Ring Ceremony

      The T-Association ring ceremony will be held at the conclusion of each semester, including summer. Eligible student-athletes will be presented with the final “T” Association letter award, a ring, and a graduation stole, provided by the Sun Belt Conference.

3. “T” ASSOCIATION AWARDS

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

4. CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS

   1. The head coach will work with the executive senior associate Athletics Director, Business 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 will be the responsibilities of the executive senior associate Athletics Director, Business Operations and the director of Athletics.

5. JERSEY RETIREMENT PROCEDURES

   1. Criteria for athletic jersey retirement will be as follows:

      1. minimum of 10 years must have elapsed since athlete has exhausted eligibility;

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

      3. 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. Consideration will be given to extended years of service at Texas State or extended years of consistent involvement with the university.

6. 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 will host the Society of Champions recognition at the Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium. Baseball, softball, and soccer recognitions will be held at their respective playing fields. All other sports will be honored at the University Events Center.

7. REVIEWERS OF THIS PPS

   1. Reviewer of this PPS includes the following:

      Position	Date
      Associate Athletic Director, Academics	May 1 E7Y
      Executive Assistant	May 1 E7Y
      Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Internal Operations	May 1 E7Y

8. 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.

   Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Internal Operations; senior reviewer of the PPS

   Associate Athletic Director, Academics

   Director, Athletics