The Peacock Athletics Department hosted its 2025 PETEY Awards on Apr. 28 to celebrate the academic and athletic accomplishments of the student-athletes. In addition, a faculty member and an athletics staff member(s) each received an award for their dedication and efforts throughout the year.
A senior dinner was held prior to the main event to reward all of the esteemed individuals who dedicated themselves to UIU Athletics during their senior seasons. To kick off the award presentations, Rhett Smith addressed his fellow peers with words of inspiration and wisdom after being selected as this year's student-athlete speaker.
The women's cross country/track and field team was this year's recipients of the UIU SAAC Cup, presented to the squad who totaled the most points after engaging in a variety of university-related events throughout the academic calendar.
Throughout the award presentations, the entertainment for the evening consisted of Jimmy Fallon's "Wheel of Impressions" bit, followed by a "Surfin' the Socials" segment presented by Vice President for Athletics,
Rick Hartzell.
Below is the complete list of award winners.
Faculty Member of the Year- NiCole Denler (Assistant Professor of Communication Studies)
Staff Member(s) of the Year- Athletic Training (Matt Rueckert, Rachel Caspers, Ryan Fonkert)
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year- Myah Brinker (Track and Field)
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year- Florian Deick (Men's Soccer)
Peacock Service Award- Nolan Carl (Football)
Female Iron Peacock- Rae VanMilligan (Softball)
Male Iron Peacock- Lawson Losee (Men's Wrestling)
Female Newcomer of the Year- Anna Soler (Women's Basketball)
Male Newcomer of the Year- Jack Miller (Men's Basketball)
Female Breakthrough Athlete of the Year- Sydnee Nelson (Women's Basketball)
Male Breakthrough Athlete of the Year- Ethen Doty (Men's Wrestling)
Coaching Staff of the Year- Football (Jason Hoskins, Heath Parling, Rhett Mizer, Rob Goode, Markhus Taylor, and Max Longman)
Team of the Year- Football
Win of the Year- Men's Basketball (vs. #5 ranked Missouri S&T 100-85)
Miss Peacock- Mia Huberty (Women's Basketball)
Mr. Peacock- Caleb Delzell (Men's Basketball)
Female Athlete of the Year- Mia Huberty (Women's Basketball)
Male Athlete of the Year- Nick Reid (Men's Basketball)
