Athletic Awards
All-sports
Senior Coaches’ Award
Presented to the senior female and male student-athletes who have achieved the highest grade point average during their college career and have earned a minimum of two varsity letters in one sport.
Sterling Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the year Award
Presented annually to the male student-athlete and female student-athlete who best demonstrate a burning passion to achieve their highest potential through strength and conditioning training; who display leadership in their workout programs; and who show significantly improved performance in their sports as a result of their training. The recipients are selected by the college’s strength and conditioning coordinator and the exercise science department chair.
Baseball
Most Valuable Player Award
Harold and Mansford Versteeg Award
Given annually to the baseball player who best exemplifies scholarship, leadership, and sportsmanship as selected by the coaching staff.
Men’s basketball
Defensive Player of the Year Award
Newcomer of the Year Award
Tom Steward “Hustle” Award
Established in 2013 as a memorial to Tom Steward by his family, this award is to honor a varsity men’s basketball player who displays the most consistent effort and hustle during the season.
Connie Muyskens Memorial MVP Award
Established in honor of the late Rev. Cornelius P. Muyskens, the trophy is presented to the player making the best all-around performance in basketball. The record is based on ability and improvement during the season, scholastic standing, sportsmanship and faithfulness in training.
Wassenaar Coaches’ Award
Awarded by the coaches to the basketball player, whose playing time though limited, makes a positive contribution to the team through attitude and example.
Mentink Award
Given in memory of the late Richard J. Mentink, this award is presented annually to the outstanding basketball player, who, by performance and example, both in varsity competition and in the classroom, provides inspiration and leadership to his team. This award is given by the late Drs. Maxine and D.M. Huffman.
Most Improved Player Award
Given to a player who made the most strides in development of his game during the off-season and/or during the year.
Gary Dirksen Achievement Award
Named for a Central graduate, long-time college administrator and ardent supporter of the Dutch men’s basketball program, the award seeks to honor a varsity men’s basketball player who has not only strived to achieve on the basketball court but has also strived to achieve off the floor. Consideration is given to the candidate’s efforts to achieve academic excellence, to achieve leadership roles in college clubs and organizations and to achieve a sense of community involvement in working with local organizations.
Women’s basketball
Most Valuable Player Award
Offensive Player of the Year Award
Defensive Player of the Year Award
Most Improved Player Award
Newcomer of the Year Award
Dutch Non-Negotiables Award
Gary Dirksen Achievement Award
Named for a Central graduate, long-time college administrator and ardent supporter of the Dutch women’s basketball program, the award seeks to honor a varsity women’s basketball player who has not only strived to achieve on the basketball court but has also strived to achieve off the floor. Consideration is given to the candidate’s efforts to achieve academic excellence, to achieve leadership roles in college clubs and organizations and to achieve a sense of community involvement in working with local organizations.
Men’s cross country
Most Valuable Performer Award
Freshman of the Year
Most Improved Performer Award
Dutch Spirit Award
Women’s cross country
Most Valuable Performer Award
Most Improved Performer Award
Freshman of the Year
Dutch Spirit Award
Football
Heerema-Schilder Memorial Most Valuable Player Award
A plaque is given in honor of the late Arie Schilder to the player making the best all-around performance in football. The record is based on ability and improvement during the season, scholastic standing, sportsmanship and faithfulness in training. The award is endowed by Lester Claussen, John Ver Heul and Martin Heerema.
Mentink Award
The award is given in memory of the late Richard J. Mentink, a former player. It is given to that player, who, by performance and example, both on and off the field and in the classroom, provides inspiration and leadership to his team. The award is given by the Mentink family.
P.H. Kuyper Coaches’ Award
Awarded by the coaches to the senior football player, whose playing time though limited, makes a positive contribution to the team through attitude and example.
Borgman Award
Given in honor of Worp Borgman to the senior football player who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average and excelled on the field of play.
Les Claussen Coaches’ Award
Given in memory of Les Claussen to the student who improves as a football player and makes outstanding contributions to the total program.
Bruce Wendt Award
Given in memory of former Central football player Bruce Wendt to the outstanding offensive lineman.
Dr. George H. Lankelma/Menning Award
The award, a wrist watch, is presented annually to the underclassman who contributes the most to the football team.
Wagner Award
Given in memory of former Central football player Kirk Wagner to the outstanding member of the offensive scout team.
Dagh Award
Given in memory of former Central football player Ted Dagh to the outstanding member of the defensive scout team.
Brian O’Donnell Award
Given in honor of Brian O’Donnell to the outstanding freshman football player.
Mel Ver Meer Loyalty Award
Given in memory of Mel Ver Meer to the player who has demonstrated loyalty to the program.
Men’s golf
Most Valuable Freshman Award
Most Improved Player Award
Ryerson MVP Award
Given in memory of late coach Norman Ryerson, the award is presented to the most valuable player on the men’s golf team.
Wagner Award
Given in memory of former Central golf team member Kirk Wagner to the player, whose playing time though limited, makes outstanding contributions to the team through leadership and example on and off the golf course.
Women’s golf
Maurine Timmer Most Valuable Player Award
Established in honor of Maurine Timmer, the first Central women’s golf coach (1973-87), the award is presented to the player making the best all-around performance in women’s golf. The record is based on ability and improvement during the season, scholastic standing, sportsmanship and team commitment.
Most Dedicated Player Award
Most Improved Player Award
Most Valuable Freshman Award
Outstanding Attitude Award
Men’s soccer
Most Valuable Player Award
Most Inspirational Player Award
Most Improved Player Award
Outstanding Newcomer Award
Women’s soccer
Most Valuable Player Award
Most Improved Player Award
Hustle Award
Newcomer Award
Most Inspirational Player Award
Softball
LeRoy Timmer MVP Award
Given annually to the outstanding member of the softball team.
LeRoy Timmer Most Inspirational Player Award
Presented to the player who through leadership, dedication, and example on and off the playing field, makes an outstanding contribution to the softball team.
Most Improved Player Award
Defensive Player of the Year
Newcomer of the Year
Men’s tennis
De Haan Most Valuable Player Award
Given annually to the outstanding member of the men’s tennis team.
Bogard Award
Given annually to the team’s most improved player. The award is given by W. Carl and Alice Bogard.
Women’s tennis
De Haan Most Valuable Player Award
Given annually to the outstanding member of the women’s tennis team.
Bogard Award
Given annually to the team’s most improved player. The award is given by W. Carl and Alice Bogard.
Men’s track and field
Most Valuable Performer Award
Most Improved Performer Award
Most Valuable Freshman Award
Dutch Spirit Award
Awarded to the runner who shows a positive spirit and puts team before themself.
Women’s track and field
Most Valuable Performer Award
Most Improved Performer Award
Most Valuable Freshman Award
Dutch Spirit Award
Awarded to the runner who shows a positive spirit and puts team before themself.
Volleyball
Jamie Hill Most Valuable Player Award
Established in memory of former coach Jamie Hill, the award is presented to the player who displays leadership, physical ability, a positive attitude, and hard work and effort. It recognizes the player who makes a genuine effort to contribute to the team and best exemplifies all of the above traits.
Mart & Elva May Heerema Achievement Award
This award honors a varsity volleyball player who has strived to achieve on and off the court.
Leadership Award
Dutch Spirit Award
100% Award
Most Improved Player Award
Freshman of the Year Award
Academic Award
Wrestling
Most Valuable Performer Award
Lawrence Award
Presented to the wrestler who best displays the dedication, intensity and work ethic exemplified by former team members Dale and Duane Lawrence.
Most Improved Performer Award
Most Valuable Freshman Award
Academic Award
Coach’s Award
Awarded to a standout in areas important to the coaching staff that are not reflected in the record.