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 Inspirational Player Award

Most Improved Player Award

Newcomer of the Year 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

Offensive 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

Coaches Award

Awarded to a standout in areas important to the coaching staff that are not reflected in the record.