The University of Mississippi Athletics

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   ABOUT
The Golden Grove Awards, formerly known as the Rebels Choice Awards, were started in 2011 as a way for the Ole Miss Athletic Department to celebrate National Student-Athlete Day, which is held each April. The semi-formal event, which features a red carpet, was held at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts until the opening of The Pavilion at Ole Miss in 2016, and honors athletics achievement from the past year. Starting in 2024, The Golden Grove Awards includes seven categories highlighting academic and community service excellence. The nomination window includes the entire current seasons for men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, football, rifle, soccer, indoor track & field and volleyball, while celebrating the previous seasons for baseball, men's and women's golf, softball, men's and women's tennis and outdoor track & field.

   AWARDS
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Awarded to a male and female student-athlete who has excelled in the classroom and best represents the athletic community academically. This student must be a junior or senior who maintains a GPA of 3.5 or above.

Bennie Abram Award: Awarded to a non-scholarship student-athlete who has a 3.0 GPA or better who exhibits great character through their actions on and off the field. While the student-athlete might not be the highest performer, he/she brings a great attitude to the team every day.

Chancellor's Cup: Awarded to the men's and women's teams with the highest cumulative team GPA.

Community Engagement: Awarded to the men's and women's teams that have shown community involvement above and beyond what is required.

   HISTORY
2025
Recap
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Basketball
Men's Team of the Year: Men's Basketball
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: McKenzie Long, Women's Track & Field
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan, Men's Track & Field 
Women's Rookie of the Year: Audrey Gogniat, Rifle
Men's Rookie of the Year: Jamarious Brown, Football
Women's Newcomer of the Year: Caitlyn Macnab, Women's Golf
Men's Newcomer of the Year: Sean Pedulla, Men's Basketball
Women's Chancellor's Cup: Women's Golf
Men's Chancellor's Cup: Men's Cross Country
Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Loral Winn, Women's Cross Country
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Mason Nichols, Baseball
Women's Community Engagement: Women's Basketball
Men's Community Engagement: Baseball
Bennie Abram Award: Kathryn Hosp, Women's Track & Field

2024
Recap
Men's Community Engagement Award: Baseball
Women's Community Engagement Award: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Lukas Engelhardt, Men's Tennis
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Jenna Kemp, Soccer
Bennie Abram Award: Gabe Scales, Men's Track & Field
Chancellor's Cup: Women’s Golf, Men’s Tennis

2023
Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Quinshon Judkins, Football
Women's Rookie of the Year: Aly Borellis, Volleyball
Men's Community Engagement Award: Football
Women's Community Engagement Award: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Simon Junk, Men's Tennis
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Chiara Tamburlini, Women's Golf
Men's Coach of the Year: Mike Bianco, Baseball
Women's Coach of the Year: Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Women's Basketball
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Tim Elko, Baseball
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Angel Baker, Women's Basketball
Men's Team of the Year: Baseball
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Basketball
Bennie Abram Award: Christian Hill, Women's Track & Field
Play of the Year: Brandon Johnson’s final strikeout to defeat Oklahoma 4-2 in Game 2 of the College World Series Finals.
Game of the Year: Baseball defeating Oklahoma in Game 2 of the College World Series Finals for the 2022 National Championship.
Chancellor's Cup: Women’s Golf, Men’s Tennis

2022
Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Jacob Gonzalez, Baseball
Women's Rookie of the Year: Olivia Womack, Track and Field
Men's Community Engagement Award: Baseball
Women's Community Engagement Award: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Tyler Moore, Cross Country and Track and Field
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Anna Borgen, Softball & Anna Elkin, Cross Country and Track and Field
Men's Coach of the Year: Lane Kiffin, Football
Women's Coach of the Year: Kory Henkes, Women's Golf
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Tim Elko, Baseball
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Shakira Austin, Women's Basketball
Men's Team of the Year: Football
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Golf
Bennie Abram Award: Katie Corelli, Volleyball
Play of the Year: Tim Elko’s first home run at Texas A&M after returning from ACL injury 
Game of the Year: Women's Golf's national title clinching match against Oklahoma State
Chancellor's Cup: Women’s Golf, Men’s Tennis

2021
Recap
Men's Community Engagement Award: Baseball
Women's Community Engagement Award: Women's Track & Field
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Tim Elko, Baseball
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Kennedy Swann, Women's Golf
Bennie Abram Award: John McBride, Men's Basketball
Chancellor's Cup: Women's Cross Country, Men's Tennis

* The 2021 Rebels Choice Awards were limited to non-athletic awards due to competition scheduling irregularities throughout the year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A gathering was held outdoors at The Pavilion for student-athletes, while awards were announced via Twitter.

2020

Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Doug Nikhazy, Baseball
Women's Rookie of the Year: Brandee Presley, Women's Track & Field
Men's Community Engagement Award: Baseball
Women's Community Engagement Award: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Andrew Raspo, Men's Track & Field
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Tereza Janatova, Women's Tennis
Men's Coach of the Year: Ryan Vanhoy, Men's Cross Country
Women's Coach of the Year: Kory Henkes, Women's Golf
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: John Rhys Plumlee, Football
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Kylan Becker, Softball
Men's Team of the Year: Men's Cross Country
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Golf
We Are Ole Miss Award: John "Possum" Ross
Bennie Abram Award: Grace Anne Jones, Women's Tennis
Play of the Year: Macy Somoskey's long putt on 18th green in SEC final to force playoff
Game of the Year: Women's Golf's dramatic win over South Carolina in SEC final
Chancellor's Cup: Women's Cross Country, Men's Tennis

* The 2020 Rebels Choice Awards were held virtually on Twitter due to the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

2019

Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Tyler Keenan, Baseball
Women's Rookie of the Year: Julia Johnson, Women's Golf
Men's Community Engagement Award: Baseball
Women's Community Engagement Award: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Beau Briggs, Men's Golf
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Caroline Adams, Volleyball
Men's Coach of the Year: Kermit Davis, Men's Basketball
Women's Coach of the Year: Connie Price-Smith, Women's Track & Field
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: A.J. Brown, Football
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Arianne Hartono, Women's Tennis
Men's Team of the Year: Men's Cross Country
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Golf
We Are Ole Miss Award: Ole Miss Sports Production
Bennie Abram Award: Nicole Purcell, Volleyball
Play of the Year: Thomas Dillard's game-winning HR vs. LSU
Game of the Year: Women's Tennis' Arianne Hartono's NCAA-title winning performance
Chancellor's Cup: Soccer, Men's Tennis

2018
Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Ryan Rolison, Baseball
Women's Rookie of the Year: Promise Taylor, Women's Basketball
Men's Community Engagement Award: Baseball
Women's Community Engagement Award: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Grey Hamilton, Men's Tennis
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Paige McKinney, Softball
Men's Coach of the Year: Chris Malloy, Men's Golf
Women's Coach of the Year: Mike Smith, Softball
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Braden Thornberry, Men's Golf
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Kaitlin Lee, Softball
Men's Team of the Year: Men's Golf
Women's Team of the Year: Softball
We Are Ole Miss Award: Ole Miss Grounds Crew
Bennie Abram Award: Dawson Knox, Football
Play of the Year: D.K. Metcalf's game-winning TD catch at Kentucky
Game of the Year: Football's Egg Bowl win over No. 14 Mississippi State
Chancellor's Cup: Soccer, Men's Tennis

2017
Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Nick DeRay, Track & Field
Women's Rookie of the Year: Katy McAuley, Track & Field
Men's Community Service Outreach: Football
Women's Community Service Outreach: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Craig Engels, Men's Track & Field
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Aubrey Edie, Volleyball
Men's Coach of the Year: Chris Malloy, Men's Golf
Women's Coach of the Year: Connie Price-Smith, Women's Track & Field
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Braden Thornberry, Men's Golf
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Raven Saunders, Women's Track & Field
Men's Team of the Year: Men's Cross Country
Women's Team of the Year: Softball
We Are Ole Miss Award: Corbit Franks, Assistant Athletic Trainer
Bennie Abram Award: Jerry Johnson, Football
Play of the Year: Raven Saunders Collegiate Shot Put Record at NCAA Outdoor Championship
Game of the Year: Men's Cross Country's Fourth Place Finish at NCAA Championship

2016
Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Braden Thornberry, Men's Golf
Women's Rookie of the Year: CeCe Kizer, Soccer
Men's Community Service Outreach: Baseball
Women's Community Service Outreach: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Forrest Gamble, Men's Golf
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Danielle Gray, Soccer
Men's Hotty Toddy (Spirit) Award: Forrest Gamble, Men's Golf
Women's Hotty Toddy (Spirit) Award: Sam Sanders, Soccer
Men's Coach of the Year: Hugh Freeze, Football
Women's Coach of the Year: Matt Mott, Soccer
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Stefan Moody, Men's Basketball
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Raven Saunders, Women's Track & Field
Men's Team of the Year: Football
Women's Team of the Year: Soccer
We Are Ole Miss Award: Dennis "Super D" Nelson, Grill at 1810
Bennie Abram Award: Tayler Polk, Football
Play of the Year (Tie): Quincy Adeboyejo's "Tip Six" vs. Alabama and Maddie Friedmann's last second 2OT goal vs. Arkansas
Game of the Year: Football's second straight win over Alabama

2015
Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Jalen Miller, Track & Field
Women's Rookie of the Year: Lexi Thompson, Volleyball
Men's Community Service Outreach: Football
Women's Community Service Outreach: Women's Basketball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year (tie): Forrest Gamble, Men's Golf; Jonathan Redding, Track & Field
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Stani Schiavone, Women's Golf
Men's Hotty Toddy (Spirit) Award: Scott Weathersby, Baseball
Women's Hotty Toddy (Spirit) Award: Lauren Lindsey, Softball
Men's Coach of the Year: Mike Bianco, Baseball
Women's Coach of the Year: Steven McRoberts, Volleyball
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Sam Kendricks, Track & Field
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Tia Faleru, Women's Basketball
Men's Team of the Year: Baseball
Women's Team of the Year: Volleyball
Bennie Abram Award: John Ratliff, Football
Play of the Year: Jaylen Walton's 91-yard touchdown run in the win over No. 4 Mississippi State
Game of the Year: Football's historic win over No. 1 Alabama
Fan Favorites: Gracie Frizzell, Women's Basketball; Laquon Treadwell, Football

2014
Recap
Men's Rookie of the Year: Laquon Treadwell, Football
Women's Rookie of the Year: Asia Cooper, Women's Track & Field
Men's Community Service Outreach: Scott Weathersby, Baseball
Women's Community Service Outreach: Rachael McLamore, Volleyball
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Andrew Ritter, Football
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Caroline Rohde-Moe, Women's Tennis
Men's Hotty Toddy (Spirit) Award: D.T. Shackelford, Football
Women's Hotty Toddy (Spirit) Award: Skylar Johnson, Volleyball
Men's Coach of the Year: Hugh Freeze, Football
Women's Coach of the Year: Matthew Mott, Soccer
Men's Most Valuable Player: Sam Kendricks, Track & Field
Women's Most Valuable Player: Rafaelle Souza, Soccer
Men's Team of the Year: Track & Field
Women's Team of the Year: Soccer
Men's Bennie Abram Award: Jordan Holder, Football
Women's Bennie Abram Award: Rachael McLamore, Volleyball
Play of the Year: Jeff Scott's game-winning touchdown run at Vanderbilt
Game of the Year: Football's last-second win over LSU
Fan Favorite: Marshall Henderson, Men's Basketball

2013
Recap
Women's Rookie of the Year: Ty Laporte, Volleyball
Men's Rookie of the Year: Denzel Nkemdiche, Football
Women's Community Outreach Award: Maggie McFerrin, Women's Basketball
Men's Community Outreach Award: Will Allen, Baseball
Women's Scholar-Athlete Award: Sofia Hellberg-Jonsen, Women's Track & Field
Men's Scholar-Athlete Award: Adrian Forberg Skokeng, Men's Tennis
Play of the Year: Marshall Henderson, Men's Basketball
Women's Hotty Toddy Award: Courtney Marbra, Women's Basketball
Men's Hotty Toddy Award: Jason Jones, Football
Women's Coach of the Year: Mark Beyers, Women's Tennis
Men's Coach of the Year: Andy Kennedy, Men's Basketball
Game of the Year: Men's Basketball - SEC Championship
Fan Favorite Rebel: Donte Moncrief, Football
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Rafaelle Souza, Soccer
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Marshall Henderson, Men's Basketball
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Tennis
Men's Team of the Year: Men's Basketball

2012
Recap
Women's Rookie of the Year: Fabia McDonald, Women's Track & Field
Men's Rookie of the Year: Jarvis Summers, Men's Basketball
Women's Community Outreach Award: Gabby Rangel, Women's Tennis
Men's Community Outreach Award: D.T. Shackleford, Football
Women's Scholar-Athlete Award: Dylan Jourdan, Soccer
Men's Scholar-Athlete Award: Chad Bounds, Men's Golf
Play of the Year: Katie Breathitt's school record in the steeplechase
Women's Hotty Toddy Award: Morgan Springer, Volleyball
Men's Hotty Toddy Award: Jason Jones, Football
Women's Coach of the Year: Joe Walker, Women's Track & Field
Men's Coach of the Year: Joe Walker, Men's Track & Field
Game of the Year: Baseball's win vs. defending national champions, South Carolina
Fan Favorite Rebel: Terrance Henry, Men's Basketball
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Valencia McFarland, Women's Basketball
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Ricky Robertson, Men's Track & Field
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Track and Field
Men's Team of the Year: Men's Track and Field

2011
Recap
Women's Rookie of the Year: Valencia McFarland, Women's Basketball
Men's Rookie of the Year: Ricky Robertson, Men's Track & Field
Women's Community Outreach Award: Juliana Smith, Women's Track & Field
Men's Community Outreach Award: Lee Moore, Men's Track & Field
Women's Scholar-Athlete Award: Gabby Rangel, Women's Tennis
Men's Scholar-Athlete Award: Lee Moore, Men's Track & Field
Play of the Year: Chris Warren, Men's Basketball vs. Kentucky
Women's Hotty Toddy Award: Morgan Springer, Volleyball
Men's Hotty Toddy Award: Tucker Vorster, Men's Tennis
Women's Coach of the Year: Joe Getzin, Volleyball
Men's Coach of the Year: Billy Chadwick, Men's Tennis
Game of the Year: Men's Basketball's win vs. Kentucky
Fan Favorite Rebel: Jerrell Powe, Football
Women's Most Valuable Rebel: Regina Thomas, Volleyball
Men's Most Valuable Rebel: Barnabas Kirui, Men's Track & Field
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Tennis
Men's Team of the Year: Men's Tennis

  Photos

2011, Gallery 1 | 2011, Gallery 2
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2023
2024