Opening the doors to the Hall of Champions, student-athletes of every sport entered the Building Champions Awards gala like movie star Tom Cruise in Top Gun wearing sunglasses.
As the wind blew back Old Hollywood-inspired attire, sporting full-length rompers and stunning sparkles to an American flag suit and glamourous golden tie, they walked down the runway to celebrate the past year's accomplishments in style.
"It's a big celebration," said Associate Athletics Director for Academics Jeff Guin of the annual event, which began in 2014. "All the student-athletes pretty much have a self-motivator inside them but this is the culmination of all they've done in the past year, just a chance for them to celebrate together as a family instead of individual teams."
Hors d'oeuvres were served, confetti cannons fired and metallic Gig 'Em trophies handed out as student-athletes presented awards and for the first time ever even performed during breaks.
Acts included swimming & diving's Zach Stockton doubling as a multi-talented magician, track & field's Kaila Brooks soulfully singing Aretha Franklin's R-E-S-P-E-C-T and track & field's Deon Hickey getting the crowd on their feet dancing alongside his fun, hip-hop rhythm.
The crowd also gave swimming & diving's Jonathan Tybur a standing ovation when the All-American was selected for the Lohman Inspiration Award.
After being hospitalized at age 15, when a severe diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis caused health complications including stomach pain and dramatic weight loss, Tybur went from a Texas A&M walk on to team captain, scholarship recipient his sophomore year and became an integral part of the men's swimming & diving squad.
"I can't believe it honestly," Tybur said. "It's such an honor and I'm very grateful for my coaches and teammates who have always been there for me and my family as well who've just supported me all the way. It's a dream. I'm with these guys 24/7 and it's just amazing that I'm there for them and they're there for me. It's truly wonderful that [they are] friends for life."
Inspiring others with his tenacity, athleticism and now advocacy for a cure, he said his mom is the person he looks up to the most and helped him through his toughest times.
"Even when I couldn't be brave myself she would always be brave for me and I'm always inspired by her kindness to others and being able to always have a positive attitude no matter the circumstance," Tybur said.
Award recipients are nominated by a variety of departments, from coaches to academics to media relations, then selected by administrators.
With Aggie athletes winning SEC Championships in baseball, women's swimming & diving and men's tennis; two national championships in men's track & field and equestrian; and notching numerous recognition as All-Americans, Olympians and scholars this past year, the competition is intense.
"It's obviously very stiff competition and it's great to highlight the incredible accomplishments of our student-athletes," Deputy Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe said. "They're very well deserving."
"It's a great feeling. I owe it all to God of course and my amazing teammates to get me here," said volleyball's Hollann Hans, who was named Newcomer of the Year. "We've worked hard this season and I'm really thankful."
Eight programs – men's and women's swimming and diving; women's golf; soccer; equestrian; men's basketball; and women's track & field – earned a 3.0 GPA or higher. Yet, it was the women's tennis team who took home the silver cup for Team Highest GPA.
A pop of color in an all-red tailored suit jacket and matching kicks, worn by track & field's Bobby Grant, and women's basketball's Anriel Howard's stunning white ensemble with curls tumbling out of a stylish fedora, were voted "Best Dressed" by audience applause.
In a purple taffeta mermaid gown, swimmer Sarah Gibson won the Bill Erwin Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row and capped off her senior season by earning the SEC-wide H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
"I'm just thrilled to be able to represent this amazing university," Gibson said. "I wouldn't have been able to do what I've done without the support I've gotten here so to be able to be Texas A&M's first recipient of this award, it blows me away."
Football's Alex Sezer Jr. earned both the Bill Erwin Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award and the Male Distinguished Lettermen's Award, the highest honor that a Texas A&M athlete can receive from the Athletic Department.
Although, it wasn't always an easy path, Sezer stayed dedicated, graduating Magna Cum Laude and volunteering in the community with Special Olympics, Twin City Missions, the Big Event and Aggies CAN.
"It was a daily grind," Sezer said. "You have to be dedicated to your studies and football. I'm in my playbook every day and in my books every night, so it was constantly staying on top of everything and being dedicated to both fields."
Being an Aggie means a lot to Sezer.
"All of the core principles and values of being an Aggie, they really mean something," Sezer said. "When you branch out, you see all the other Aggies that are willing to help you and continue to uphold the Aggie traditions, so I'm looking forward to giving back to this community, this university, the same way I did on the field."
In addition to an undefeated senior collegiate campaign in javelin and representing Texas A&M at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Maggie Malone — recipient of the Female Distinguished Lettermen's Award — also exhibited a passion for service, scholarship and athletics.
Her favorite memory is clinching the NCAA title in the javelin alongside her sister, Audrey, who earned third.
"Sharing that moment with her was incredible and to have Lindon [Victor] who's my brother just rush over and give me a huge hug and basically tackle me, that will forever be in my head for the rest of my life," Malone said. "It's the best part of my life."
Malone, a member of SAAC, Maroon Coats, a student assistant coach and Academic All-American among other involvements, attributes much of her success on the big stage to her training in Aggieland. She said she was shocked and excited to receive the prestigious award surrounded by the Aggie family.
"Coming to Texas A&M was the best decision I could've made because I would have never made it to Rio if I wouldn't have come here and had the support system and had everything in place and the best coaching staff in the world," Malone said. "Everybody's rooting for you and you totally feel like you're in this family dynamic.
"I love it and I don't think there's any place like Texas A&M."
As the wind blew back Old Hollywood-inspired attire, sporting full-length rompers and stunning sparkles to an American flag suit and glamourous golden tie, they walked down the runway to celebrate the past year's accomplishments in style.
"It's a big celebration," said Associate Athletics Director for Academics Jeff Guin of the annual event, which began in 2014. "All the student-athletes pretty much have a self-motivator inside them but this is the culmination of all they've done in the past year, just a chance for them to celebrate together as a family instead of individual teams."
Hors d'oeuvres were served, confetti cannons fired and metallic Gig 'Em trophies handed out as student-athletes presented awards and for the first time ever even performed during breaks.
Acts included swimming & diving's Zach Stockton doubling as a multi-talented magician, track & field's Kaila Brooks soulfully singing Aretha Franklin's R-E-S-P-E-C-T and track & field's Deon Hickey getting the crowd on their feet dancing alongside his fun, hip-hop rhythm.
The crowd also gave swimming & diving's Jonathan Tybur a standing ovation when the All-American was selected for the Lohman Inspiration Award.
After being hospitalized at age 15, when a severe diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis caused health complications including stomach pain and dramatic weight loss, Tybur went from a Texas A&M walk on to team captain, scholarship recipient his sophomore year and became an integral part of the men's swimming & diving squad.
"I can't believe it honestly," Tybur said. "It's such an honor and I'm very grateful for my coaches and teammates who have always been there for me and my family as well who've just supported me all the way. It's a dream. I'm with these guys 24/7 and it's just amazing that I'm there for them and they're there for me. It's truly wonderful that [they are] friends for life."
Inspiring others with his tenacity, athleticism and now advocacy for a cure, he said his mom is the person he looks up to the most and helped him through his toughest times.
"Even when I couldn't be brave myself she would always be brave for me and I'm always inspired by her kindness to others and being able to always have a positive attitude no matter the circumstance," Tybur said.
Award recipients are nominated by a variety of departments, from coaches to academics to media relations, then selected by administrators.
With Aggie athletes winning SEC Championships in baseball, women's swimming & diving and men's tennis; two national championships in men's track & field and equestrian; and notching numerous recognition as All-Americans, Olympians and scholars this past year, the competition is intense.
"It's obviously very stiff competition and it's great to highlight the incredible accomplishments of our student-athletes," Deputy Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe said. "They're very well deserving."
"It's a great feeling. I owe it all to God of course and my amazing teammates to get me here," said volleyball's Hollann Hans, who was named Newcomer of the Year. "We've worked hard this season and I'm really thankful."
Eight programs – men's and women's swimming and diving; women's golf; soccer; equestrian; men's basketball; and women's track & field – earned a 3.0 GPA or higher. Yet, it was the women's tennis team who took home the silver cup for Team Highest GPA.
A pop of color in an all-red tailored suit jacket and matching kicks, worn by track & field's Bobby Grant, and women's basketball's Anriel Howard's stunning white ensemble with curls tumbling out of a stylish fedora, were voted "Best Dressed" by audience applause.
In a purple taffeta mermaid gown, swimmer Sarah Gibson won the Bill Erwin Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row and capped off her senior season by earning the SEC-wide H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
"I'm just thrilled to be able to represent this amazing university," Gibson said. "I wouldn't have been able to do what I've done without the support I've gotten here so to be able to be Texas A&M's first recipient of this award, it blows me away."
Football's Alex Sezer Jr. earned both the Bill Erwin Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award and the Male Distinguished Lettermen's Award, the highest honor that a Texas A&M athlete can receive from the Athletic Department.
Although, it wasn't always an easy path, Sezer stayed dedicated, graduating Magna Cum Laude and volunteering in the community with Special Olympics, Twin City Missions, the Big Event and Aggies CAN.
"It was a daily grind," Sezer said. "You have to be dedicated to your studies and football. I'm in my playbook every day and in my books every night, so it was constantly staying on top of everything and being dedicated to both fields."
Being an Aggie means a lot to Sezer.
"All of the core principles and values of being an Aggie, they really mean something," Sezer said. "When you branch out, you see all the other Aggies that are willing to help you and continue to uphold the Aggie traditions, so I'm looking forward to giving back to this community, this university, the same way I did on the field."
In addition to an undefeated senior collegiate campaign in javelin and representing Texas A&M at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Maggie Malone — recipient of the Female Distinguished Lettermen's Award — also exhibited a passion for service, scholarship and athletics.
Her favorite memory is clinching the NCAA title in the javelin alongside her sister, Audrey, who earned third.
"Sharing that moment with her was incredible and to have Lindon [Victor] who's my brother just rush over and give me a huge hug and basically tackle me, that will forever be in my head for the rest of my life," Malone said. "It's the best part of my life."
Malone, a member of SAAC, Maroon Coats, a student assistant coach and Academic All-American among other involvements, attributes much of her success on the big stage to her training in Aggieland. She said she was shocked and excited to receive the prestigious award surrounded by the Aggie family.
"Coming to Texas A&M was the best decision I could've made because I would have never made it to Rio if I wouldn't have come here and had the support system and had everything in place and the best coaching staff in the world," Malone said. "Everybody's rooting for you and you totally feel like you're in this family dynamic.
"I love it and I don't think there's any place like Texas A&M."