BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford Athletics Department and S-Club held the Inaugural Samford Gala on the Samford University campus Thursday evening.
 
The Gala was held to honor Samford's student-athletes and teams for their accomplishments throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
 
The evening began with a catered dinner. Following dinner, the emcee, Jeh Jeh Pruitt from Fox 6, welcomed everyone and then the awards part of the evening began.
 
The awards portion of the night began when Samford Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Martin Newton, S-Club President Pearlie Harris and Director of the S-Club Whitaker Buchanan presented all of the graduating student-athletes with their S-Club rings.
 
Rachel Kang from AlaTrust Credit Union then presented the winning team for the CHAMPS Cup. The cup goes to the team that best exemplifies the complete student-athlete experience. The winner of the CHAMPS Cup was men's basketball. Next up, every student-athlete who earned All-Conference, All-Region, All-American or Player of the Year distinction were honored.
 
The individual specialty awards were then presented. The first awards were the Miss and Mr. Bulldog Awards, which go to two student-athletes, one female and one male, who exemplifies what being a true student-athlete is all about. The Miss Bulldog Award went to Claire Harrison from track and field, while the Mr. Bulldog Award was presented to Darcy Nicholls from tennis.
 
The Comeback Athlete Awards were next, going to one male and one female student-athlete who made the most impressive comeback this season. The male winner was Trey Higgins from baseball, and the female recipient was Greer Golden from volleyball.
 
The Jim Griffin Award was next. The Jim Griffin Award, named in honor of the former men's basketball player who passed away suddenly in September of 2009, goes to the unsung hero. The Jim Griffin Award went to Martha Bishop from women's basketball and soccer.
 
The final awards of the night were the Best Dressed Award, which were voted on at the event. The female winner was Bella Edwards from track and field, while the male winner was Jay Avery, also from track and field.
 
The night was concluded with the closing remarks from Newton.
 
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