The University of Dayton recently held its 14th annual R.U.D.Y.S. awards to recognize student-athletes for their achievements. The event celebrated accomplishments both on the field and in the classroom, featuring awards like Rookie of the Year and Outstanding Citizenship. Notably, Shantavia Dawkins received the Outstanding Citizenship Award, while Ella Raimondi won the Charles R. Kendall Award for Athletic and Academic Achievement. An impressive 210 student-athletes earned a GPA of at least 3.5, with 71 achieving perfect 4.0s. The women's golf team was recognized for the highest cumulative GPA at 3.8058.

By the Numbers
  • 210 student-athletes earned at least a 3.5 GPA in 2025.
  • 71 student-athletes achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA.
State of Play
  • Women's golf earned the OASSA Academic Cup for highest team GPA.
  • The women's track and field program won the Flyer Challenge award for community service involvement.
What's Next

With the newly announced SAAC executive board, initiatives for community engagement and academic excellence are expected to grow. Upcoming events may focus on enhancing student-athlete support and recognition.

Bottom Line

The R.U.D.Y.S. awards not only honor athletic performance but also emphasize academic success and community involvement, highlighting the holistic growth of student-athletes at the University of Dayton.