The University of Minnesota Duluth athletics presented the annual 2021-22 student-athlete senior awards on Monday night -- representing excellence in the three C's (Classroom, Competition, Community). This past year was another record breaking athletic season as Bulldog teams set academic marks, competition highs with conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances, and returned to making an impact in the local community.  

Awards for the E.L. "Duce" Rasmussen male and female scholar student-athlete, Outstanding male and female senior student-athlete, the Chancellor's Cup for team academic performance, the Shjon Podein community service award, and the Team Impact award for community service were presented by UMD athletic and campus administration last night at Glensheen Mansion.

See below for a special recap of this year's award recipients along with a Bulldog season highlight video.
 

CLASSROOM:

The University of Minnesota Duluth athletic department announced its 2021-22 winners in recognition of the CLASSROOM.  Shannon King (women's soccer) and Dan Monson (football) were named the 2021-22 E.L. "Duce" Rasmussen award winners for top scholar athletes. King, a multi-year winner of NSIC's All-Academic team and Academic Team of Excellence, was also awarded the ADA Academic Achievement Award and is a Myles Brand Award recipient. She is the Maguire Award winner for Outstanding Performance as a Biochemistry Major, and won the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award. She is an avid volunteer, including the Aftenro Senior Living facility, Salvation Army Adopt a Family, a Youth soccer coach, and a tutor for elementary and middle school.

Monson, is also a multi-year winner of the All-NSIC Academic Team of Excellence as well as a multi-year winner of First Team All-NSIC. He is a two-time COSIDA All-American and NFF Hampshire Honor Society academic honoree. He has been a volunteer with Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at their mono ski camp and archery camp.






In addition, the 2021-22 Chancellor's Cup went to the UMD volleyball Bulldogs (tied for the closest margin in history), for maintaining the best collective grade point average during the last two semesters (3.76).  The runner-up with a cumulative 3.75 grade point average was the UMD women's cross country team. The top men's team was the Bulldog men's cross country ream with a 3.40 grade point average.

COMMUNITY:

The University of Minnesota Duluth athletic department announced its 2021-22 winners in recognition of the COMMUNITY.  This year's Shjon Podein Community Service Award recipient was Becca Osborne (women's soccer) for her work with SAAC (student-athlete advisory committee) and the Green Bandana Project. Osborne, Bulldog women's soccer student-athlete and President/Founder of Green Bandana Project at UMD, was instrumental in the Bulldogs being named the 2022 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence recipient. The campaign inspired Bulldog student-athletes to bring mental health awareness to the next level by partnering with campus counseling services, community mental health professionals and other mental health focused student groups. Through these partnerships the idea was born to host MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS GAMES for all 16 teams during the past year.



The Bulldogs also announced the UMD Team Impact Award, which recognizes the Bulldog team achieving the highest average volunteer hours per student-athlete. This year's winner was the UMD women's tennis team with 18 hours per student-athlete of volunteering the community.  The Bulldog women's soccer team was our runner-up with an average of 14 hours per student-athlete.

COMPETITION:

The University of Minnesota Duluth athletic department announced its 2021-22 winners in recognition of COMPETITION.  The award recipients for the 2021-22 Outstanding male and female senior student-athlete were Jordyn Thomas (softball) and Noah Cates (men's hockey). Thomas, Serves as Vice President for UMD's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Vice President of the Green Bandana Project. Has started in every single game for the Bulldogs dating back to her sophomore year. Earned National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) All-Region 2nd Team honors as a rookie (2018), NFCA DII Central Region Second Team and NSIC All-Conference First Team (2021). Is a three-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence Award winner and a one-time Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete recipient. Was named Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player of the Week in March 2021, only the second Bulldog ever to receive that honor. Holds the all-time UMD home run record and is 2nd all-time with 15 home runs in a single season. 

Cates served as a two year Captain for the Men's hockey team. He was recognized with All-American honors in the 2019-2020 season. He was a significant contributor to the 2019 National Championship team, as well as the 2019 and 2022 NCHC Playoff Championship teams. During his career at UMD he amassed 99 points, but also made constant contributions in areas of the game that do not show up on the score sheet. Noah was chosen to represent the USA in the Olympic Games this winter in Beijing, China and recently made his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers. 





Congratulations to all the award recipients this past year and a special salute to all senior Bulldog student-athletes.  We thank our seniors for being a part of Bulldog Country and inspiring a region.  For more information on how to help the next generation of Bulldogs, visit umdbulldogs.com/donate.