Student-athletes, coaches, academic advisers, family and other Southeast Missouri State students participated in the third annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee awards banquet April 20 in Academic Hall.

While student-athletes receive appreciation throughout the year for their performance both on and off the field, the student-run event highlighted their accomplishments. This year's banquet had a sports movie theme, which included performances of scenes from "A League of their Own" by the softball team and "The Benchwarmers" by the football team.

In addition to the student-athletes receiving roles as actors, hosts Kameron Long of the men's indoor track and field team and Taylor Masterson, senior middle blocker of Southeast's volleyball team, provided commentary and entertainment as the hosts of the energy- and emotionally-packed event. Jokingly, Long started the night by trying to convince Masterson to put on some different shoes (instead of her high heels) so he'd be taller than her.

Along with their jobs on the field and in the classroom, student-athletes also volunteered 3,400 hours of community service this past year.

For their participation and involvement with the university's athletics, President Carlos Vargas and first lady Pam Vargas received the "Jerry Westbrook Rowdy Redhawk" award. This moment of recognition and appreciation for the Vargas' support by the student athletic teams and the university in general was followed by a standing ovation and an opportunity for the couple to comment on receiving the award.

"We were very touched by that, and my understanding is that the students themselves nominated and voted for us, so that's quite touching," Carlos Vargas said. "I think it's wonderful, the fact that the students organized this, it makes it so different. In the past, I know that the department would actually organize it and hold it in the Show Me Center and the students didn't feel like they really got into it. But now that they are organizing it, you can see the excitement, energy and overall challenge they get out of putting the event together."

Some of the sport-themed movies and television series used in the presentation of awards to describe the teams included "Napoleon Dynamite" for the women's soccer team, "Major League II" to describe the baseball team, "The Waterboy" to describe the football team and "Dodgeball" to describe women's basketball, just to name a few.

The Male and Female Athlete of the Year honors went to senior pitcher Joey Lucchessi and sophomore gymnastics all-arounder Alexis Brawner for their accomplishments throughout the past year.

"I was really excited and worked really hard in the preseason to be where I am at, so I am just glad that everything worked out and hard work paid off,"Brawner said. "I personally love the SAAC banquets because it brings all the athletes together to celebrate all the hard work put out throughout the year and gives everyone credit where it's due."

Moments of recognition and respects were paid to former Southeast soccer student-athlete Meg Herndon, as well as a video acknowledging senior thrower Kevin Farley from Southeast alum Craig Robinson and members of the coaching staff for his achievements on the field, classroom and overall personality also was presented.