Heart and Soul Award
Formerly known as the Gerard Life Skills Award of Excellence, the Heart and Soul Award is presented annually at A Night at the Lied to Nebraska student-athletes who have consistently gone above and beyond with community service and outreach initiatives throughout their college career. Dubbed the "Heisman of Life Skills," each recipient must be a senior student-athlete who is in their final season of athletic eligibility. Honorees are determined by Life Skills and Academic Support staff as well as coaches.
2023 - Nicklin Hames, Volleyball; Mikey Hoffer, Men's Track and Field; Passmore Mudundulu, Men's Track and Field; Megan Whittaker, Women's Golf
2022 - Cassidy Ray (Bowling), Karlee Seevers (Softball), Ben Stille (Football)
2021 - Emily Cheramie (Rifle), Kaitlynn Johnson (Cross Country), Kate Smith (Women's Golf), Emma Worley (Women's Tennis)
2020 - Kayla Gadeken (Rifle), Sierra Hassel (Women's Gymnastics), David Jensen (Wrestling), Sinclaire Miramontez (Soccer), Haley Thiele (Women's Golf)
2019 - Freedom Akinmoladun (Football), Bri Cassidy (Softball), Tanner Farmer (Football), Jerald Foster (Football), Jackie Jeschke (Swimming and Diving), Catelyn Orel (Women's Gymnastics), Nina Radulovic (Rifle) and Aris Shino (Wrestling).
2018 - Connor Adamsick (Men's Gymnastics) Danielle Breen (Women's Gymnastics) Jake McSteen (Baseball) Gina Metzler (Softball) Erin Oeltjen (Swimming & Diving) Alli Peterson (Soccer) Katt Sickle (Swimming & Diving)
2017 - Trey Foster (Football); Collin Jensen (Wrestling); Jennie Laeng (Women’s Gymnastics)
2016 - Mattie Fowler (Softball), Levi Gipson, (Track & Field), Ethan Lottman (Men's Gymnastics), and Nate Wong, (Men's Golf)
2015 - Samantha Areman (Soccer); Devandrew Johnson (Track & Field); Rebekah Land (Swimming & Diving); Ian Ousley (Wrestling); Desire' Stephens (Gymnastics)
2014 - Amanda Burau (Bowling); Caleb Kolb (Wrestling); Sunny Russell (Rifle); and CJ Zimmerer (Football)
2013 - Ben Cotton (Football); Kelsey Larson (Swimming & Diving); and Mary Weatherholt (Women's Tennis)
2012 - Ashley Guile (Softball)
2011 - Jordan Burroughs (Wrestling); Erin Hannon (Track & Field); and Alex Henery (Football)
2010 - Blake Lawrence (Football)
2009 - Betsy Miller (Cross Country; Track & Field)
2008 - Matt Senske (Football)
Sam Foltz 27 HERO Leadership Awards
The Sam Foltz 27 HERO Leadership Award, named in honor of late Husker punter Sam Foltz, awards student-athlete leaders from each varsity sport. The criteria for the HERO Award include exceptional leadership, consistent and dedicated community service, and positive influence on the team. Nominees are identified by the Life Skills staff with approval from the Academic staff and Head Coaches. HERO recipients are announced at the annual A Night at the Lied student-athlete recognition event held at the Lied Center for Performing Arts every April.
2023 Sam Foltz 27 HERO Leadership Award Recipients
Isabel Adrover Gallego (Tennis) | Chris Hiser (Gymnastics) |
Bekka Allick (Volleyball) | Clayton Keys (Track & Field) |
Kaitlyn Barth (Swimming & Diving) | Maddie Krull (Basketball) |
Michael Booker III (Football) | Berkeley Livingston (Swimming & Diving) |
Efry Cervantes (Baseball) | Brynna McQuillen (Cross Country) |
Crystal Elliott (Bowling) | Abbey Newlun (Softball) |
Madelynn Erickson (Rifle) | Marissa Popoola (Soccer) |
Mya Felder (Softball) | Reagan Raabe (Soccer) |
Mikai Gbayor (Football) | Jenna Rogers (Track & Field) |
Genesis Gibson (Gymnastics) | Kathryn Thaler (Gymnastics) |
John Goodwin (Football) | Michaela Vavrova (Golf) |
Sam Griesel (Basketball) | Derrick Walker (Basketball) |
Kolby Heinerikson (Track & Field) | Nieve Walsh (Track & Field) |
Roni Hietaranta (Tennis) | |
Click here for past winners. |
Brook Berringer Citizenship Team
Created after the passing of quarterback Brook Berringer, the Citizenship Team recognizes Husker football players who have demonstrated a passion for service and involvement. To be named to the Team, football student-athletes must complete a minimum of six service projects, be in good academic standing, and have demonstrated excellent conduct. Recipients receive an award and are honored at the annual Spring Football game.
2022 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team
Ajay Allen | Marques Buford | Tommi Hill | Eteva Mauga-Clements | Chubba Purdy |
Chase Androff | Brian Buschini | Jacob Hohl | Keegan Menning | Ty Robinson |
Hunter Anthony | Jimari Butler | Sam Hoskinson | Evan Meyersick | Phalen Sanford |
Jake Appleget | Justin Evans-Jenkins | Nash Hutmacher | Ezra Miller | Beau Schaller |
Timothy Bleekrode | Myles Farmer | Emmett Johnson | Blake Miller | Ryan Schommer |
Janiran Bonner | Mikai Gbayor | Rahmir Johnson | Riley Moses | Matthew Schuster |
Michael Booker III | John Goodwin | Randolph Kpai | Quinton Newsome | Gage Stenger |
Chief Borders | Anthony Grant | Luke Lindenmeyer | Nouredin Nouili | Brodi Tagaloa |
Derek Branch | Shawn Hardy II | Joey Mancino | Spencer Pankratz | Casey Thompson |
Elliot Brown | Malcolm Hartzog | Roman Mangini | Dylan Parrott | Taveon Thompson |
Alante Brown | Cooper Hausmann | Omar Manning | Ethan Piper | Travis Vokolek |
Ru'Quan Buckley | Nick Heinrich | Jalil Martin | Teddy Prochazka | Camden Witucki |
Grant Buda | Jacob Herbek | Matt Masker | Beau Psencik | Javin Wright |
Click here for past winners.
Tom Osborne Citizenship Team
Newly created and implemented for the first time in the 2013-2014 academic calendar year, the annual Tom Osborne Citizenship Team pays tribute to legendary Nebraska Head Football Coach and Athletic Director, Tom Osborne. Under Osborne, Nebraska was among the first institutions nationwide to implement a comprehensive Life Skills program. To be named to the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team, student-athletes must complete a minimum of six new service projects, and/or mentoring activities in the academic calendar year, while being in both good academic and athletic standing. In it's tenth year, Nebraska proudly named 344 student-athletes to the 2022-2023 Tom Osborne Citizenship Team. Honorees were recognized during the A Night at the Lied celebration and received a Tom Osborne Citizenship Team medallion.
Click Here to view the 2022-2023 recipients.
Postgraduate Scholarships
Life Skills facilitates all student-athlete postgraduate nominations. Opportunities are available at the institutional, conference, and national level; student-athletes who are in their final season of athletic eligibility and meet a minimum grade point average along with excellence in the community are eligible to apply. Award amounts range between $3,000 and $15,000 per scholarship. To apply, students must secure letters of recommendation, complete a personal statement and summarize all athletic achievements, academic honors and community service. Click Here to learn more.