I. Student-Athlete of the Month
Each month during the regular academic year, the SAAS staff is responsible for selecting six student-athletes (typically 3 male and 3 female) who are believed to exemplify high academic standards. This can be either through outstanding performance in the classroom or dedication to study hall or tutorial sessions.
II. USC Senior Recognition
Each spring, the USC Student Recognition Award Committee organizes the Senior and Graduate Award Recognition Ceremony to honor student leaders who have demonstrated a noteworthy level of commitment to leadership, involvement, service, and scholarship at USC.
III. Marks Luncheon
Each May, the David X. Marks Foundation, in conjunction with the USC Athletics Department, hosts the Marks Luncheon. The purpose of this luncheon is to honor those student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom.
Scholarship student-athletes* are invited to the luncheon if:
- They have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, or
- Are in the top 10% of their team, and
- Have a 2.75 cumulative GPA or better
*Non-scholarship athletes / Walk-ons do not qualify
IV. Athletics Department – Senior Recognition / Graduation Reception
At the conclusion of every school year, the Athletics Department recognizes the academic pursuits of its graduating seniors by hosting a graduation reception on commencement day in Heritage Hall. During this reception, three annual awards are presented to the year’s most outstanding seniors.
Awards:
- Trojaneer Diamond Award
Recognizes the student-athlete who brought the most fame and distinction to the university. - Gimbel Award
Recognizes the student-athlete who was deemed ‘most cooperative’. - Willis O’Hunter Award
Given to the senior who has the highest cumulative grade point average.
V. N4A Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award
Sponsored by the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics, this award is intended to honor student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics.
To qualify:
- Completed three semesters at their institution
- Passed 36-semester units
- Must be athletically eligible for the current academic year
- Be in good academic standing
- A letter winner.
VI. Pac-12 Medals
Awarded by the PAC-12 annually to the outstanding senior male and female student-athlete.
Awards are based on the exhibition of the greatest combination of performance and achievement in:
- Scholarship
- Athletics
- Leadership
Awardees are decided via collaborative effort between the Sports Information Office, Associate Athletics Directors, and SAAS staff.
VII. Graduate Student-Athletes
Despite the rigors and battles to maintain high GPA’s, make solid progress towards one’s degree, and balance a demanding practice schedule each semester, there are a few student-athletes who push themselves even more. In this section you will find a list of student-athletes who are pursuing double majors, dual degrees, dual Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees, and in some cases, Master’s degrees alone – all while some are still eligible for competition as USC student-athletes. The NCAA requires that all participants in NCAA competitions be registered as full-time students at their host institution. For some, they finish their undergraduate degrees in 3 years and compete in their final year(s) of competition as full-time graduate students. We would like to congratulate all those who take advantage of their educational opportunities as Trojan student-athletes.