Michigan State Athletics Announces 2025 All-Sports Award Winners
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State Athletics has announced its All-Sports Awards for the 2024-25 season. The awards include the George Alderton Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Chester Brewer Leadership Award, Dr. James Feurig Achievement and Service Award, the Big Ten Conference Medals of Honor and the Big Ten Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners. A panel of administrators and athletics department staff selected the winners.
George Alderton Male Athlete of the Year – Isaac Howard (hockey)
George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year – Gabrielle Stephen (gymnastics)
Chester Brewer Leadership Award – Justina Gaynor (women’s soccer)
Dr. James Feurig Achievement and Service Award – Jillian Bonczewski (field hockey)
Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor (Male) – Jaden Akins (men’s basketball)
Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor (Female) – Gabrielle Stephen (gymnastics)
Big Ten Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award (Male) – Josh DeVries (track & field)
Big Ten Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award (Female) – Nyla Hampton (women’s basketball)
GEORGE ALDERTON MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
(Presented to top male athlete of 2024-25)
Winner: Isaac Howard (hockey)
Isaac Howard turned in a historic junior season for Michigan State in 2024-25, joining Kip Miller (1990) and Ryan Miller (2001) as the third Spartan to bring home college hockey’s most coveted individual prize, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. Howard also became the fourth Spartan to win USA Hockey’s Jim Johannson College Player of the Year award, following in the footsteps of Jeff Lerg (2007), Ryan Miller (2001) and Mike York (1999).
Howard’s Big Ten leading, career-best 26 goals and 52 points across Michigan State's 37 games helped him rank first nationally in points per game (1.41), third in goals per game (0.70) and No. 23 in assists per game (0.70). In addition to being named a First Team AHCA All-American, Howard earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors and was the most outstanding player at the Big Ten Tournament.
His performances down the stretch were crucial for the Spartans. Not only did Howard score the game-winning double overtime goal against No. 9-ranked Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game, but he scored or assisted on every goal the Spartans scored throughout the Big Ten Tournament (3 goals, 2 assists).
Howard has been a monumental piece of Michigan State’s hockey’s resurgence, helping MSU become the first school to win back-to-back Big Ten regular season and conference tournament titles in the same seasons. The Spartans finished this past season with an overall record of 26-7-4, earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight season.
The Hudson, Wisconsin, native is fresh off a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF Men's World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. Howard was named to the U.S. Hockey Men's National Team in April, contributing an assist across four appearances in pool play in addition to an assist in an exhibition against Germany. Alongside Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale who served as an assistant coach on Team USA, the pair helped the United State bring home its first gold medal at the World Championships since 1933.
Howard becomes the 14th men’s hockey athlete to earn the George Alderton Male Athlete of the Year Award and the first since Jake Hildebrand in 2015.
PAST WINNERS - ALDERTON MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
2024- Heath Baldwin (track& field)/Ozan Baris (tennis); 2023-Heath Baldwin (track & field); 2022-Kenneth Walker III (football); 2021-Morgan Beadlescomb (cross country/track & field); 2020-Cassius Winston (basketball); 2019-Cassius Winston (basketball); 2018-Miles Bridges (basketball)/Tim Ehrhardt (track & field); 2017-Tim Ehrhardt (track & field); 2016-Denzel Valentine (basketball); 2015-Jake Hildebrand (hockey); 2014-Darqueze Dennard (football); 2013-Le'Veon Bell (football); 2012-Draymond Green (basketball); 2011-Greg Jones (football); 2010-Greg Jones (football); 2009-Franklin Gomez (wrestling); 2008-Jeff Lerg (hockey); 2007-Jeff Lerg (hockey); 2006-Brad Gebauer (track & field); 2005-Nick Simmons (wrestling); 2004-Jeff Smoker (football); 2003-Charles Rogers (football); 2002-Paul Terek (track & field); 2001-Ryan Miller (hockey); 2000-Mateen Cleaves (basketball); 1999-Mateen Cleaves (basketball) and Mike York (hockey); 1998-Chad Alban (hockey); 1997-Reid Friedrichs (soccer); 1996-David Morgan (wrestling); 1995-Shawn Respert (basketball); 1994-Emilio Collins (wrestling); 1993-Bryan Smolinski (hockey); 1992-Anthony Hamm (cross country/track & field); 1991-Steve Smith (basketball); 1990-Kip Miller (hockey) and Percy Snow (football); 1989-Bobby Reynolds (hockey); 1988-Todd Krumm (football/baseball); 1987-Don McSween (hockey); 1986-Mike Donnelly (hockey), Lorenzo White (football), Scott Skiles (basketball); 1985-Sam Vincent (basketball); 1984-Carl Banks (football); 1983-Ron Scott (hockey); 1982-Ron Scott (hockey).
GEORGE ALDERTON FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
(Presented to top female athlete of 2024-25)
BIG TEN CONFERENCE MEDAL OF HONOR (FEMALE)
(Presented to a male and female student-athlete at each conference institution for outstanding athletic and academic achievement)
Winner: Gabrielle Stephen (gymnastics)
After leading Michigan State gymnastics to its second-ever NCAA Championships appearance as a team and putting together one of the most impressive postseasons in program history, while also achieving academic excellence in the classroom, Gabrielle Stephen is this year’s George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year and the female recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor.
Stephen joins Misty Allison (1992, cross country/track), Carrie Carpenter (1999, softball), Liz Shimek (2006, basketball) and Caroline Powers (2013, golf) as one of five female Spartan student-athletes to win both the Alderton Award and Big Ten Medal of Honor in the same year.
The graduating senior from Elgin, Illinois, capped off an already historic career with a First Team All-America finish on bars in the NCAA Championships semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas, in April, as Michigan State was represented on the national stage as a team for the first time in 37 years.
Stephen competed in the all-around in every meet in 2025 and captured a trio of all-around titles and eight individual event titles throughout the regular season. From January to March, Stephen and the Spartans proved themselves worthy of being in the national conversation time and time again – MSU was ranked inside the top 10 nationally every week throughout the season and put together a history-making Big Ten season, highlighted by the program’s first-ever meet inside the Breslin Center in front of a program-record 6,251 fans and a thrilling matchup at UCLA that saw MSU set the then-highest vault score in the nation on the first-ever gymnastics meet to be aired live on FOX.
Stephen also collected her fourth First Team All-Big Ten nod, becoming one of two gymnasts in program history alongside teammate Skyla Schulte to earn four first-team honors from the conference.
MSU went toe-to-toe with the Bruins at the Big Ten Championships in March, eventually finishing second behind UCLA with a 198.150 for the Spartans’ fourth-consecutive top-two finish at the conference meet. In the anchor spot on balance beam, Stephen scored her first 10.000 to earn a share of her first Big Ten event title, which was also the first perfect score on the event in program history. She also added a 9.850 on vault, 9.900 on bars and 9.925 on beam to total a 39.650 in the all-around and take runner-up honors.
In early April, the Spartans began their journey to the national championships in the second round of the NCAA University Park Regional. For the second time in as many meets, Stephen scored a perfect 10.000, this time on vault, and added a 9.950 on bars and 9.900s on beam and floor to tally a career-high 39.750 in the all-around. She captured regional titles on vault, bars and in the all-around to lead MSU into a stacked regional final against defending national champion LSU, Arkansas and Kentucky.
After narrow misses in its previous three regional final meets, the Spartans finally broke through to the national championships in 2025 with a second-place, 198.000 finish in the University Park Regional Final, finishing just half a tenth behind the defending champion Tigers. Stephen scored a trio of 9.900-plus scores and was named the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association Central Region Gymnast of the Year, becoming the first gymnast in program history to win a regional gymnast of the year award.
MSU went on to finish fourth in its session in the NCAA Semifinals, while Stephen scored a 9.9375 on bars to tie for third on the event among the nation’s best and capture First Team All-America honors. She is just the second MSU gymnast to earn NCAA All-America honors on bars and the only First Team honoree.
A standout in the classroom, Stephen graduated in May with a degree in criminal justice and was named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District and Academic All-Big Ten for the third-straight season. She also served three seasons as a team captain, just one of three MSU gymnasts in program history to do so, and was the team's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative in addition to participating in several community service activities throughout her four years in East Lansing.
Stephen is the fourth MSU gymnast to be named the George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year and second in as many years after teammate Skyla Schulte won the award in 2024. She is the eighth gymnastics student-athlete to win the Big Ten Medal of Honor, and the first since Gabriella Douglas in 2020.
PAST WINNERS - ALDERTON FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
2024-Skyla Schulte (gymnastics); 2023-Lauren Kozal (soccer); 2022-Jenna Magness (track & field/cross country); 2021-Jenna Magness (track & field/cross country); 2020-Annie Fuller (track & field) and Valery Plata (golf); 2019-Asya Reynolds (track & field) and Ally Geer-Park (golf); 2018-Sarah Burnham (golf); 2017-Sarah Burnham (golf) and Tori Jankoska (basketball); 2016-Aerial Powers (basketball); 2015-Leah O'Connor (cross country/track & field); 2014-Allyssa Ferrell (golf); 2013-Caroline Powers (golf) and Beth Rohl (track & field); 2012-Laura Heyboer (soccer) and Caroline Powers (golf); 2011-Emily MacLeod (cross country/track & field) and Caroline Powers (golf); 2010-Floor Rijpma (field hockey); 2009-Nicole Bush (cross country/track & field); 2008-Sara Brown (golf); 2007-Sara Brown (golf); 2006-Liz Shimek (basketball); 2005-Kristin Haynie (basketball); 2004-Jamie Krzyminski (cross country/track & field); 2003-Michelle Carson (cross country) and Jamie Krzyminski (cross country/track & field); 2002-Emily Bastel (golf); 2001-Summer Mitchell (swimming & diving); 2000-Emily Bastel (golf); 1999-Carrie Carpenter (softball); 1998-Jill Lusher (field hockey); 1997-Sevatheda Fynes (track & field); 1996-Val Sterk (volleyball); 1995-Karen Winslow (soccer); 1994-Susan Francis (track & field); 1993-Jodi Blotcher (gymnastics); 1992-Misty Allison (cross country/track & field); 1991-Julie Farrell-Ovenhouse (swimming & diving); 1990-Julie Farrell (swimming & diving); 1989-Julie Farrell (swimming & diving); 1988-Michelle Ingalls (gymnastics); 1987-Odessa Smalls (track & field); 1986-Mary Schoenle (swimming & diving); 1985-Kelly Becker (volleyball); 1984-Deanne Moore (softball); 1983-Judi Brown (track & field); 1982-Molly Brennan (track & field).
PAST WINNERS - BIG TEN CONFERENCE MEDAL OF HONOR (FEMALE)
2024-Justina Gaynor (soccer); 2023-Abby Gardiner (soccer); 2022-Lea Mitchell (gymnastics); 2021-Amanda Ling (swimming & diving); 2020-Gabriella Douglas (gymnastics); 2019-Jessica Ling (gymnastics); 2018-Katelyn Daniels (track & field); 2017-Alexis Wiersma (cross country/track & field); 2016-Lisa Burt (gymnastics); 2015-Abby Barker (field hockey); 2014-Kristen Henn (field hockey); 2013-Caroline Powers (golf); 2012-Jenilee Rathje (volleyball); 2011-Aimee Neff (golf); 2010-Allyssa DeHaan (basketball); 2009-Sara Schmidt (rowing); 2008-Kate Burdick (rowing); 2007-Kristen Coleman (gymnastics); 2006-Liz Shimek (basketball); 2005-Veerle Goudswaard (field hockey); 2004-Michelle Carson (cross country/track & field); 2003-Stephanie Anisko (swimming & diving); 2002-Carly Weiden (swimming & diving) and Krista Buzzell (crew); 2001-Carly Weiden (swimming & diving); 2000-Carly Weiden (swimming & diving); 1999-Carrie Carpenter (softball); 1998-Melissa Pryor (field hockey); 1997-Val Sterk (volleyball); 1996-Patti Raduenz (softball); 1995-Laura Bell (cross country/track & field); 1994-Laura Bell (cross country/track & field); 1993-Ruth Aguayo (gymnastics); 1992-Misty Allison (cross country/track & field); 1991-Emily Coatney (soccer); 1990-Eileen Shea (basketball); 1989-Mary Schoenle (swimming & diving); 1988-Kim Hartwick (gymnastics); 1987-Lisa Marino (golf); 1986-Julie Polakowski (basketball); 1985-Kelly Belanger (basketball); 1984-Anne Pewe (cross country/track & field); 1983-Karen Wells (basketball); 1982-Lisa Speaker (golf).
BIG TEN CONFERENCE MEDAL OF HONOR (MALE)
(Presented to a male and female student-athlete at each conference institution for outstanding athletic and academic achievement)
Winner: Jaden Akins (men’s basketball)
Since he was a youngster, senior men’s basketball guard Jaden Akins has had a drive to continue to get better.
Whether it was basketball or academics, Akins has always had a thirst to excel at whatever goal has been in front of him. It is that type of resolve that made him this year’s recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor.
Prior to the start of every basketball season, Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo has his players write down personal goals. For Akins, his goals were pretty straightforward.
He wanted the team to win the Big Ten regular season title, he wanted to be named All-Big Ten and he wanted to be recognized as one of the top defensive players in the league. Some may say they were lofty goals but that has always been his mindset.
Fast forward to March and the Spartans finished the season with a 30-7 record while winning the Big Ten regular season title with a 17-3 record, besting the 18-team league by three games, the 11th regular season championship under Izzo. Along the way, Akins led the team in scoring, was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and was selected to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team.
Akins didn’t limit his success to just the basketball court. After graduating from Michigan State in three years, earning his bachelor’s degree in communication, Akins began work on a master’s degree in strategic communication. While helping lead the Spartans to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament and a No. 7 national ranking in the country, Akins was a Second Team 2024-25 Academic All-America® Men’s Basketball team member as selected by the College Sports Communicators.
It was just one of a number of academic honors Akins earned over four years. He earned the Scholar-Athlete Award at Michigan State’s Student-Athlete Support Services Academic Gala three times, was on the Dean’s List seven times during his career and was the recipient of the Provost’s Award for Future Leaders.
In 138 career games, he scored 1,252 points and leaves Michigan State ranked 32nd on the all-time scoring list. He scored in double figures 29 times this past year and 64 for his career, passing the 1,000-point mark for his career on Jan. 12 in a win at Northwestern, becoming the 57th player in program history to reach that mark. He leaves MSU as one of 17 players in program history to score at least 1,000 points, grab 400 rebounds and hand out at least 150 assists.
PAST WINNERS - BIG TEN CONFERENCE MEDAL OF HONOR (MALE)
2024-Jack Frank (baseball); 2023-Cameron Caffey (wrestling); 2022-Morgan Beadlescomb (cross country/track & field); 2021-Bryce Kelley (baseball); 2020-Cassius Winston (basketball); 2019-Khari Willis (football); 2018-Jimmy Fiscus (soccer); 2017-Josiah Price (football); 2016-Jack Allen (football); 2015-Mike Sadler (football); 2014-Greg Wolfe (hockey); 2013-Jacob Jarzen (swimming and diving); 2012-Kirk Cousins (football); 2011-Brandon Eckerle (baseball); 2010-Blair White (football); 2009-Doug DeMartin (soccer); 2008-Drew Neitzel (basketball); 2007-Drew Stanton (football); 2006-Drew Stanton (football); 2005-Chris Hill (basketball); 2004-Steve Manz (track & field); 2003-Tyler Robinson (soccer); 2002-Josh Thornhill (football); 2001-Shaun Mason (football); 2000-Shawn Horcoff (hockey); 1999-Steve Schell (cross country/track & field); 1998-Tyler Harlton (hockey); 1997-Tyler Harlton (hockey); 1996-Brian Picklo (wrestling); 1995-Emilio Collins (wrestling); 1994-Steve Wasylk (football); 1993-Dave Smith (cross country/track & field); 1992-Stuart Hirschman (baseball); 1991-Walt Bartels (hockey); 1990-Walt Bartels (hockey); 1989-Danton Cole (hockey); 1988-Michael Davidson (baseball); 1987-Dean Altobelli (football); 1986-Don McSween (hockey); 1985-Carlton Evans (lacrosse); 1984-Kelly Miller (hockey); 1983-Michael Brown (swimming & diving); 1982-Morten Andersen (football); 1981-Jay Vincent (basketball); 1980-Mark Brammer (football); 1979-Gregory Kelser (basketball); 1978-Larry Bethea (football); 1977-Tyrone Willingham (football/baseball); 1976-Pat Milkovich (wrestling); 1975-Dennis Olmstead (hockey); 1974-Robert Cassleman (track & field); 1973-Kenneth Popejoy (track & field); 1972-Herb Washington (track & field); 1971-Thomas Muir (wrestling); 1970-Richard Saul (football); 1969-Allen Brenner (football); 1968-Dale Anderson (wrestling); 1967-Eugene Washington (football, track & field); 1966-Steve Juday (football); 1965-David Price (gymnastics); 1964-George (Pete) Gent (basketball); 1963-Richard Schloemer (fencing); 1962-Edward Ryan (football); 1961-William Reynolds (track & field/cross country); 1960-Stan Tarshis (gymnastics); 1959-Robert Anderegg (basketball); 1958-Robert Jasson (hockey); 1957-Selwyn Jones (track & field); 1956-Carl Nystrom (football); 1955-Kevan Gosper (track & field); 1954-Robert Hoke (wrestling); 1953-John Wilson (football); 1952-Orris Bender (wrestling); 1951-Everett Grandelius (football).
CHESTER BREWER LEADERSHIP AWARD
(Presented to a graduating senior in his or her last year of eligibility for distinguished performance in athletics and scholarship and for possessing a high degree of leadership qualities and skill.)
Winner: Justina Gaynor (women’s soccer)
Described as “a unicorn” by her head coach Jeff Hosler, Justina Gaynor completed her collegiate career as one of the most accomplished women to come through the Spartan soccer program – not only on the field and in the classroom, but also established herself as a leader on her team and in the campus community.
Currently playing with the NWSL’s Chicago Stars, Gaynor helped lead her team to back-to-back Big Ten Championships (2022, 2023) and NCAA Sweet 16 appearances (2023 and 2024) – the most successful period in program history. A three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and the 2023 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, Gaynor earned All-America honors as a senior and was a three-time All-Region selection. Gaynor finished her career in the Green and White ranked ninth in the MSU record books in assists with 20, 16th in points with 54 and 20th in total goals with 17. In her final season, she totaled 16 points from five goals and a team-leading six assists. All five of Gaynor's goals in 2024 were game winners.
Gaynor was one of her team’s two representatives on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was a member of the Student-Athlete Welfare Subcommittee. Her commitment to excellence extends to her involvement in several community initiatives, including the Red Cross Blood Drive, Student-Athlete Food Drive and Be the Match Promotion, an effort to encourage people to be tested for their eligibility to be a bone marrow donor.
A standout in the classroom, Gaynor is a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American, including earning first team kudos in 2023. In addition to league honors (a four-time Academic All-Big Ten and B1G Distinguished Scholar honoree), she was a three-time United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American. At the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year, she was named MSU's recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor and was given the President’s Award at MSU’s Academic Excellence Gala, honoring the top GPA in the graduating class – she owned a perfect 4.0 GPA in earning her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology.
Gaynor becomes the second women’s soccer player to earn the Chester Brewer Leadership Award, joining Ann Cieszkowski (2001).
PAST WINNERS - CHESTER BREWER LEADERSHIP AWARD:
2024-Nash Nienhuis (hockey); 2023-Nala Barlow (women's track & field); 2022-Jack Winkler (tennis); 2021-Joshua Langford (basketball); 2020-Gabriella Douglas (gymnastics); 2019-Khari Willis (football) and DeJuan Jones (soccer); 2018-Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. (basketball); 2017-Dan Durkin (baseball); 2016-Jack Allen (football); 2015-Kori Moster (volleyball); 2014-Kristen Kelsay (volleyball); 2013- Caroline Powers (golf); 2012-Kirk Cousins (football); 2011-Brandon Eckerle (baseball); 2010-Kelly Moffitt (gymnastics); 2009-Jeff Lerg (hockey); 2008-Ryan Brehm (golf); 2007-Taren James (track & field); 2006-R.J. Boudro (wrestling); 2005-Kristin Haynie (basketball); 2004-Allison Fouch (golf); 2003-Sandy Lewis (softball); 2002-Adam Hall (hockey); 2001-Ann Cieszkowski (soccer); 2000-Leah Nilsson (cross country/track & field); 1999-Melissa Pryor (field hockey); 1998-Kyle Baker (cross country); 1997-Dana Cooke (volleyball) and Tamika Matlock (basketball); 1996-Courtney DeBolt (volleyball); 1995-Eric Snow (basketball); 1994-Rob Fredrickson (football); 1993-Steve Johnson (baseball); 1992-Mike Gilmore (hockey); 1991-Becky Belanger (volleyball) and Eileen Shea (basketball); 1990-Chris Willertz (football); 1989-Sheila Ovenhouse (softball); 1988-Pat Shurmur (football); 1987-Shane Bullough (football); 1986-Anthony Bell (football); 1985-Kelly Miller (hockey); 1984-Michael Brown (swimming & diving); 1983-Eliot Tabron (track & field); 1982-Shawn White (wrestling); 1981-Ray Stachowicz (football); 1980-Terry Donnelly (basketball); 1979-Rodger Bastien (baseball); 1978-Jeff Rudolph (gymnastics); 1977-Gary Domagalski (golf); 1976-Thomas Ross (hockey); 1975-No Award Presented; 1974-Val Washington (lacrosse); 1973-Jerry Sackmann (baseball); 1972-Greg Johnson (wrestling); 1971-Kim Hartman (cross country/track & field); 1970-Ronald Saul (football); 1969-Toby Towson (men's gymnastics); 1968-John Bailey (basketball/golf); 1967-Gary Dilley (swimming); 1966-Payton Fuller (soccer), James Curzi (gymnastics); 1965-Douglas Roberts (hockey/football); 1964-Sherman Lewis (track & field/football); 1963-George Azar (football/baseball); 1962-Stephen Johnson (men's gymnastics); 1961-William Steuart (swimming); 1960-Crawford "Forddy" Kennedy (cross country/track & field); 1959-Sam Williams (football); 1958-Dave Lean (cross country/track & field); 1957-Pat Wilson (football/basketball); 1956-Earl Morrall (football/baseball); 1955-John Matsock (football/baseball); 1954-Tom Yewcic (football/baseball); 1953-Bert McLachlan (swimming); 1952-Robert Carey (football/track & field/basketball); 1951-Everett Grandelius (football).
DR. JAMES FEURIG ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE AWARD
(Presented to a male or female graduating senior involved in athletics as a competitor or in a supporting role. The recipient should carry a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 or better, and in addition to athletic and academic success, demonstrate involvement in school/campus and community activities.)
Winner: Jillian Bonczewski (field hockey)
The 2024-25 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president, Jillian Bonczewski has immersed herself in the community since her arrival in East Lansing four years ago. As a member of the field hockey program, Bonczewski was heavily involved with several causes which included working with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) on campus. The NMDP has partnered with the field hockey program since 2017 to help register students as bone marrow donors.
In addition to her work with the NMDP, Bonczewski actively participated in other community service activities such as Be You Be Bold, Teams for Toys, Operation Christmas Child, Safe Halloween, the student-athlete food and clothing drives, March is Reading Month and the East Lansing public library Lego night. This past academic year, Bonczewski was also a member of the MSU Athletic Council and was a Big Ten SAAC representative.
Bonczewski, who boasts a perfect 4.0 grade point average as an elementary education major, has led the Spartan field hockey program both on the field and set a shining example in the classroom. In addition to earning CSC Academic All-District honors this past season, she is a four-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad four times where she earned Scholar of Distinction kudos.
In 2024, Bonczewski started all 18 games for MSU during her senior campaign where she posted a single-season career best eight points (3 goals, 2 assists) and at the end of the season, was voted as the team's Janine Ackerman Award recipient, acknowledging leadership, teamwork and character. She received the President's Award at MSU's academic gala this spring, sharing the top senior women's GPA.
Bonczewski is the second consecutive field hockey recipient of the Dr. James Feurig Achievement and Service Award and the fifth overall joining Ashley Harlock (2024), Bailey Higgins (2019), Deb White (2001) and Melissa Pryor (1999).
PAST WINNERS – DR. JAMES FEURIG ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE AWARD:
2024-Ashley Harlock (field hockey); 2023-Casey Mayes (baseball); 2022-Jack Winkler (tennis); 2021-Caroline Szabo (tennis); 2020-Scott Piper (swimming & diving); 2019-Bailey Higgins (field hockey); 2018-Lea Foerster (softball) and Jasper Koenen (tennis): 2017-Allyssah Fitterer (volleyball); 2016-Sarah Kovan (soccer); 2015-Ryan Keener (soccer); 2014-Kristen Kelsay (volleyball); 2013-Kevin Jackson (track & field); 2012-Jenilee Rathje (volleyball); 2011-Jenilee Rathje (volleyball); 2010-Ross Weaver (football); 2009-Katlyn Roggensack (gymnastics); 2008-Matthew McNichols (swimming & diving); 2007-John Masters (football); 2006-Taren James (track & field); 2005-Erin Carlson (soccer); 2004-Joe Tate (football); 2003-Brad Fast (hockey); 2002-Adam Hall (hockey); 2001-Deb White (field hockey); 2000-Jennifer Hanink (soccer); 1999-Melissa Pryor (field hockey); 1998-Dave Mudge (football); 1997-Stephanie Dueringer (cross country/track & field); 1996-Susan Gibson (soccer); 1995-Angela Howard (gymnastics); 1994-Mill Coleman (football); 1993-Molly West (tennis) and Chris Brown (track & field); 1992-Matt Steigenga (basketball); 1991-Jason Muzzatti (hockey); 1990-Dawna Wilson (gymnastics) and Todd Mercer (swimming & diving); 1989-Kelly Collister (volleyball); 1988-Keiko Timmerman (gymnastics); 1987-Kristen Nelson (swimming & diving) and Barry Fordham (basketball); 1986-John Wojciehowski (football); 1985-Bob Fossum (golf) and Riney Wilke (lacrosse); 1984-Michael Brown (swimming & diving); 1983-Syd Wells (golf); 1982-Molly Brennan (track & field); 1981-Ivan Merritt (gymnastics); 1980-Michael Longaker (basketball); 1979-Kevin Willitts (lacrosse); 1978-Joan Garety (golf); 1977-Herb Lindsay (track & field/cross country).
