DEKALB, Ill. – With one of the most challenging seasons academically, athletically, and socially behind them, Northern Illinois University student-athletes celebrated their accomplishments on and off the field of competition during the 12th annual Victors Award Show premiered on NIU Athletics YouTube channel on Thursday night.
 
NIU's baseball and softball teams were well-represented, winning four awards each. Both earned the Male and Female Community Service Team of the Year honors and the Men's and Women's Victors Cup, respectively. Huskie outfielder Kam Smith of baseball took home the Male Social Justice Award and the prestigious Mr. Victor E. award given to the top male athlete at NIU.
 
Freshman pitcher Delaney Ostrowki of softball was named the Community Service Champion for her work in the DeKalb-Sycamore communities, while her teammate Izzy Smith earned one of the 10 superlative awards created for this year's awards show, taking home Funniest Teammate accolades.
 
All-American Ashley Tutt of cross country and track & field defended her title as Miss Victor E. The Huskie junior, who won five MAC titles between indoor and outdoor seasons, will wrap up her season at the 2021 NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. on Thursday, June 10.
 
Amanda Rullan Vilanova of the volleyball team received the Unsung Hero award, while women's soccer's Haley Hoppe was presented with the Female Social Justice Award.
 
Huskie student-athletes were also recognized for their accomplishments in the classroom and four were singled out. Huskie gymnast Zoie Schroeder and wrestling's Mason Kauffman, NIU's first-ever NCAA Elite 90 winner, each received the MAC Medal of Excellence Award. Cross country and track & field athlete Nora Finegan and football's Benn Olson earned the Female and Male Presidential Award for Academic Excellence.
 
Student-athletes who own a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, including the 4.0 students, as well as the MAC President Award winners (seniors with a 3.5 or higher) and LEaD Huskies were also recognized.
 
The one award not presented to an NIU student-athlete, the Huskie High Five Award, is presented to an NIU employee whose contribution to Athletics epitomizes the Huskie work ethic and dedication to student-athlete success. This year's recipient is Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Phil Voorhis. A 30-plus year veteran at NIU, Voorhis played an integral role in NIU Athletics COVID-19 response helping to keep the Huskies healthy throughout this difficult season.
 
The awards were given for the 2020-21 athletic season. Most awards were selected by a vote of Huskie athletic department staff, coaches and student-athletes while others were based on numerical metrics (academic and community service teams).  The Victors Cup is a year-long competition based on multiple factors including community service hours, attendance at department-wide and university opportunities as well as supporting other programs.
 
2021 Victors Award Winners
Female Community Service Team of the Year – Softball
Male Community Service Team of the Year – Baseball
Community Service Champion – Delaney Ostrowski, Softball
Unsung Hero – Amanda Rullan Vilanova, Volleyball
Huskie High Five – Phil Voorhis, Athletic Training
Female Social Justice Award – Haley Hoppe, Women's Soccer
Male Social Justice Award – Kam Smith, Baseball                          
Superlative
Which of your teammates is the biggest procrastinator? – Michael Mattas, Men's Golf
Which of your teammates is most likely to be a millionaire? – Parker Smith, Men's Soccer
Which of your teammates is most likely to star on a reality TV show? – Olivia Lynd, Gymnastics
Which of your teammates is most likely to talk through a movie? – Paulina Castro, Women's Basketball
Which of your teammates is most likely to break a world record? – Anthony Markanich, Men's Soccer
Which of your teammates has the cutest pet? – Brooke Lytle - Cross Country/Track and Field
Which of your teammates is most likely to raid your fridge?            – Alex Welch, Men's Soccer
Best teammate to be stuck on an island with? – Mason Kauffman, Wrestling
Which of your teammates is the funniest? – Izzy Smith, Softball
Which of your teammates is the biggest prankster? – Russell Matos, Men's Golf                           
MAC Medal of Excellence Award Female – Zoie Schroeder, Gymnastics
MAC Medal of Excellence Award Male – Mason Kauffman, Wrestling
Female Presidential Award for Academic Excellence – Nora Finegan, Cross Country/Track and Field
Male Presidential Award for Academic Excellence – Benn Olson, Football
Miss Victor E. – Ashley Tutt, Cross Country/Track and Field
Mr. Victor E. – Kam Smith, Baseball
Men's Victors Cup – Baseball
Women's Victors Cup – Softball
 
-NIU-