PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. - Upper Iowa baseball's Garrett Bougie has been named a semi-finalist for Mueller Sports Medicine's Revive Award™. The award honors collegiate student-athletes who have overcome the toughest challenges, recognizing the journey from adversity to triumph. 

Bougie, a right-handed pitcher for the Peacocks, suffered an elbow injury in the fall of 2023 that required UCL surgery in early 2024. After that, he lost sensation in his hand, requiring another nerve surgery in his hand and wrist. Following the setbacks and two years of rehab, Bougie made his return to the mound in February by picking up a save and throwing a strikeout in an 8-7 win over Newman (Kan.).

"At one point, I was told the goal would be to just regain basic function in my hand and that I may never throw again," Bougie said. "There were definitely days when I questioned if I would make it back. It was painful physically and mentally, and it tested my identity beyond the game. What kept me going was my faith, my support system and a daily commitment to take things one step at a time and get 1% better."

For over 65 years, Mueller® has supported athletes on and off the field. From the field to the classroom to life beyond the game, the REVIVE Award™ celebrates perseverance, character and growth through challenge. 

"Garrett has put so much time, effort, and work into coming back from his injury," said Upper Iowa Senior Assistant Athletic Trainer Rachel Caspers. "Because of some complications, he wasn't able to get surgery done as quickly as he wanted. When he reported in August of 2024, his hand was bone and skin. That school year, he worked multiple times a day on his range of motion, strength and feeling. I haven't seen many other athletes more determined to get back to playing their sport than him."

Bougie was one of 20 semi-finalists for the award. Nominees were selected based on their dedication to academics as well as athletics. Their resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles, along with their leadership, sportsmanship and positive influence beyond the field were all considered. Lastly, every nominee had a nominator who wrote two essays describing the obstacles that the nominee has overcome. 

"It means a lot to me to be recognized for something that represents more than baseball," Bougie said. "This honor reflects years of work, setbacks and choosing to keep going when it would've been easier to walk away. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share that story and hopefully inspire someone who is going through their own adversity."

The judges for the award will next select three finalists, to be announced before June 1. The finalists will travel to Mueller®'s headquarters in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, for a presentation and announcement of the Grand Prize Winner from July 14-16. 

The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded a Mueller® M4 REVIVE Gear Pack with an approximate value of $1,295. They will also have an opportunity to discuss a potential $10,000 NIL agreement. In addition, Mueller® will donate a Recovery Room gift (valued at up to $6,000) to the Grand Prize Winner's school/university's athletic department. 

"To win the grand prize would be incredibly meaningful because it would represent not just my comeback, but everyone who stood by me through it, from my family, trainers, coaches and the people who never stopped believing in me," Bougie said.