Virtual Red & Black Gala Honors Academic Success
May 08, 2020 | Academics, Student-Athlete Development
Texas Tech honored its best and brightest earlier this week with a virtual Red & Black Gala
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech honored the best and brightest among its 400-plus student-athletes earlier this week through what has turned into a new normal in college athletics – a virtual event.
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The Red & Black Gala, a yearly event for Texas Tech student-athletes each May, was hosted virtually by various athletics department staff, flipping from screen to screen as different awards were announced via a stream on both Twitter and Facebook.
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"This year's gala presented a unique situation based on the health crisis across the world. We were excited to still be able to honor our student-athletes who work so tirelessly on the field and most importantly, in the classroom," said Amy Heard, Senior Associate Athletics Director in charge of the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy. "Thanks to collaboration throughout the athletics department, the virtual gala went off without a hitch, and we are proud of each of the night's winners."
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Recent WNBA Draft selection Brittany Brewer was the top individual winner of the night as she was recognized with the Jeannine McHaney Award, which is presented annually to a female student-athlete who exemplifies the standards of the late McHaney in areas of academic achievement and athletic excellence.
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Texas Tech also honored its top graduating senior for every sport, all of which will receive an engraved iPad for their success academically. The list of honorees also included every student-athlete who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall semester as well as 12 student-athletes who collected the Dr. Gerald Lage Big 12 Award.
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Additionally, two programs were recognized as well as Tom Stone's soccer squad earned the highest team GPA while the Red Raider football team collected the Good Citizen Award for its work in the community, a strong emphasis for Matt Wells and his staff in only their first year.
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The virtual format allowed for record views of the event, expanding the celebration.Â
"Even with the challenge of not being able to celebrate together in person, we are excited that so many folks were able to join us as we honored our student-athletes," Heard said. "So many people are part of a student's journey and this celebration format allowed us to include a larger audience than in previous years."
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Every award presented during the gala was determined based on academic merit and in consultation with the staffs at the Marsha Sharp Center for Student-Athletes and the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy.
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RED & BLACK GALA AWARD WINNERS
Top Graduating Seniors: John McMillon (Baseball), Dawson Deaton (Football), Kyle Hogan (Men's Golf), Braden Darrow (Men's Track), Bjorn Thomson (Men's Tennis), Sydney Goodson (Women's Basketball), Shelby Henderson (Softball), Demi Koulizakis (Soccer), Bret Nance (Women's Track), Natalie Parks (Women's Track), Reagan Collins (Women's Tennis), Allison White (Volleyball).
Dr. Gerald Lage Award: Clayton Beeter (Baseball), Braxton Fulford (Baseball), Kyle Hogan (Men's Golf), Sandy Scott (Men's Golf), Bjorn Thompson (Men's Tennis), Braden Darrow (Men's Track), Steven Duran (Men's Track), Savanna Jones (Soccer), Chinne Okoronkwo (Women's Track), Bret Nance (Women's Track), Shelby Henderson (Softball), Haley Harman (Volleyball). Â
Top Team GPA: Soccer
Good Citizen Award: Football
Jeanine McHaney Award: Brittany Brewer
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The Red & Black Gala, a yearly event for Texas Tech student-athletes each May, was hosted virtually by various athletics department staff, flipping from screen to screen as different awards were announced via a stream on both Twitter and Facebook.
Â
"This year's gala presented a unique situation based on the health crisis across the world. We were excited to still be able to honor our student-athletes who work so tirelessly on the field and most importantly, in the classroom," said Amy Heard, Senior Associate Athletics Director in charge of the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy. "Thanks to collaboration throughout the athletics department, the virtual gala went off without a hitch, and we are proud of each of the night's winners."
Â
Recent WNBA Draft selection Brittany Brewer was the top individual winner of the night as she was recognized with the Jeannine McHaney Award, which is presented annually to a female student-athlete who exemplifies the standards of the late McHaney in areas of academic achievement and athletic excellence.
Â
Texas Tech also honored its top graduating senior for every sport, all of which will receive an engraved iPad for their success academically. The list of honorees also included every student-athlete who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall semester as well as 12 student-athletes who collected the Dr. Gerald Lage Big 12 Award.
Â
Additionally, two programs were recognized as well as Tom Stone's soccer squad earned the highest team GPA while the Red Raider football team collected the Good Citizen Award for its work in the community, a strong emphasis for Matt Wells and his staff in only their first year.
Â
The virtual format allowed for record views of the event, expanding the celebration.Â
"Even with the challenge of not being able to celebrate together in person, we are excited that so many folks were able to join us as we honored our student-athletes," Heard said. "So many people are part of a student's journey and this celebration format allowed us to include a larger audience than in previous years."
Â
Every award presented during the gala was determined based on academic merit and in consultation with the staffs at the Marsha Sharp Center for Student-Athletes and the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy.
Â
RED & BLACK GALA AWARD WINNERS
Top Graduating Seniors: John McMillon (Baseball), Dawson Deaton (Football), Kyle Hogan (Men's Golf), Braden Darrow (Men's Track), Bjorn Thomson (Men's Tennis), Sydney Goodson (Women's Basketball), Shelby Henderson (Softball), Demi Koulizakis (Soccer), Bret Nance (Women's Track), Natalie Parks (Women's Track), Reagan Collins (Women's Tennis), Allison White (Volleyball).
Dr. Gerald Lage Award: Clayton Beeter (Baseball), Braxton Fulford (Baseball), Kyle Hogan (Men's Golf), Sandy Scott (Men's Golf), Bjorn Thompson (Men's Tennis), Braden Darrow (Men's Track), Steven Duran (Men's Track), Savanna Jones (Soccer), Chinne Okoronkwo (Women's Track), Bret Nance (Women's Track), Shelby Henderson (Softball), Haley Harman (Volleyball). Â
Top Team GPA: Soccer
Good Citizen Award: Football
Jeanine McHaney Award: Brittany Brewer
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The Virtual Red & Black Gala is live!
— Texas Tech Red Raiders (@TechAthletics) May 4, 2020
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments made by our amazing Red Raiders during the 2019-20 academic year!
??#WreckEm?? https://t.co/VOokievRZg
Red Raiders Celebrate Graduating Seniors
Friday, May 15