BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— Samford's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) announced the nominees for the 12^th-annual SAMSPY Awards Thursday, and the winners will be announced online throughout the day Friday.
 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no in-person SAMSPYs this year, but the awards will be announced on all of the Athletics Department's social media channels throughout the day Friday, beginning at 1 p.m. (CT).
 
The SAMSPY Awards are held annually to honor Samford's 17 teams and more than 350 student-athletes. A total of 20 awards will be announced Friday.
 
The athletics department and SAAC announced the nominees for this year's awards on Thursday. This year's nominees are listed below.
 
2020 SAMSPY AWARDS NOMINEES
Best Blooper
Kyla Reynolds
Mekhi Mayfield
Anthony Mulrine
Mekhi Mayfield
Rouxanne Janse Van Rensburg
 
Female Academic Team of the Year
Cross Country – 3.45
Soccer – 3.63
Tennis – 3.64
Track – 3.37
Volleyball – 3.46
 
Male Academic Team of the Year
Baseball – 3.15
Cross Country – 3.59
Golf – 3.27
Tennis – 3.08
Track – 2.98
 
Female Rookie of the Year
Taylor Yount
Emily Naubert
McKenzie Hogue
Merritt Cahoon
Kylie Gazza
 
Male Rookie of the Year
Jay Stanton
Michael Vice
Sonny DiChiara
Jeb Jones
Evan Brooks
 
Comeback Athlete of the Year
Cindy Oest
Jesse McCord
Hunter Poole
Mary Kate Horton
Veronica Lyle
Mohammed Ali Bellalouna
 
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year
John Staton
Natalie Armstrong
Sierra Rayzor
Titus Moore
Rossouw Norval
 
Jim Griffin Award
Paige Serup
Robert Burke
Brandon Austin
Courtney Johnson
Taylor Meneide
 
Support Staff of the Year
Tommy Rohling
Ben Ashford
Matt Price
Abby Daniels
Jonathan McAfoos
 
Assistant Coach of the Year
Chandler Merkerson
Josie Rix
Ryan Freeburg
Ashley Cope
Ricky Turner
 
Best Finish
Football
Natalie Armstrong
Sonny DiChiara
Men's 4x4
Softball
 
Best Upset
Volleyball
Men's Indoor Track & Field
Rossouw Norval
Arianna Beltrame
Softball
 
Play of the Year
Sonny DiChiara
Morgan McAslan
Montrell Washington
Natalie Armstrong
4x4
 
Best Championship Performance
Men's Indoor Track & Field
Women's Indoor Track & Field
Women's Basketball
Soccer
Volleyball
 
Most Outstanding Team
Baseball
Women's Track & Field
Men's Indoor Track & Field
Soccer
Women's Basketball
Volleyball
 
Head Coach of the Year
Keylor Chan
Casey Dunn
Carley Kuhns
Rod Tiffin
Todd Yelton
 
Best Female Athlete
Natalie Armstrong
Kelsi Hobbs
Maggie Johnston
Morgan McAslan
Taylore Miller
 
Best Male Athlete
Nick Nixon
Montrell Washington
Zach Hester
Brooks Carlson
Emmanuel Tait
Matt Cahoon
 
Miss Bulldog
Charity Brown
Amanda Kilduff
Courtney Johnson
Hallianne Hobson
Maggie Johnston
 
Mr. Bulldog
Jesse McCord
Hugh Duggan
Hamp Skinner
Nick Barton
Max Rebol