April 28, 2016 UIC's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its third-annual `A Night to Ignite' at the UIC Forum Wednesday night. Seniors Dana Capocci (softball) and Mitch Granger (men's tennis) served as emcees for the evening, which honored student-athletes with specialty awards voted on by their peers.

The night's entertainment was highlighted by lip-sync videos created by the student-athletes, with the men's soccer team collecting the most votes for their rendition of "Sorry" by Justin Bieber.



The ceremony was capped by a final sendoff from SPARK (Student Performing Acts of Random Kindness) co-founders, Granger and Max Cederkall. Since its inception in November 2014, the student-run organization has fed over 2,500 and clothed more than 700 homeless in Chicago.


2016 NIGHT TO IGNITE AWARD WINNERS

Rookie of the Year
Presented to a male or female student-athlete in their first year of competition at UIC who made a significant impact in his/her sport for the current season. The rookie of the year has to have competed in 75% of the competitions for their team.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Marcelo Dib -- Men's Tennis
Dikembe Dixson -- Men's Basketball
Skylee James -- Softball
Lexie Joy -- Women's Swimming
Mikailla Northern -- Women's Gymnastics


Best Upset
Presented to the individual or team who has completed the best, most impressive or most significant upset of the 2015-16 athletic year. This upset moment should reflect a victory that others would feel was unexpected.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Men's Basketball vs. Wright State
Men's Tennis vs. IUPUI
Softball vs. San Diego State
Women's Gymnastics vs. Lindenwood
Women's Soccer vs. Loyola


Sportsmanship Award
Presented to the team and individual that exemplifies and continuously promotes integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Casey Mahoney-Muno - Men's Gymnastics
Jordan Banks - Men's Track & Field
Lindsay Melson - Softball
Men's Tennis
Ricardo Ramirez -- Baseball


Coach of the Year
Presented to a coach who not only has a successful record with their sport, but who has many other attributes such as; good rapport with other staff and student-athletes, involvement with UIC outside of their sport, and community involvement. It should be evident that this coach has a good reputation among the Horizon League and of course, bleeds fire engine red and navy blue.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Mike Dee - Baseball
Eric Guthrie -- Strength & Conditioning
Jim Knoedel -- Cross Country/Track & Field
Sean Phillips -- Men's Soccer
Michelle Venturella -- Softball


Training Room All-Star
Presented to a male or female student-athlete who has spent tireless hours in the athletic training room rather than on the field. This student-athlete has the trainer's phone number on speed dial and refers to the trainer as their best friend.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Bekah Allen -- Women's Soccer
Jack Andersen -- Baseball
Terri Bender -- Women's Basketball
Riley Hebert -- Baseball
Scott Poort -- Men's Gymnastics


Weight Room All-Star
Presented to a male or female student-athlete who has spent tireless hours in the weight room. This student-athlete has Nick and/or Eric's phone numbers on speed dial and refers to them as their best friend. They are also frequent members of the power Inc. club having their name permanently written in dry erase marker on the board.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Ariel Gibbs -- Track & Field
Kyisha Hunt - Volleyball
Martin Hunter -- Track & Field
Kaleigh Nagle - Softball
Mikailla Northern -- Women's Gymnastics


Best Comeback
Presented to the individual or team with the best comeback in the 2015-2016 school year. This team started the competition off slowly but then found the fire and pulled out a victory that was talked about for weeks and utterly unforgettable.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Alice Fitzpatrick -- Softball
Joel Leon -- Men's Soccer
Men's Basketball vs. Cleveland State
Men's Tennis vs. IUPUI
Volleyball vs. UNI


Female Athlete of the Year
Presented to the most valuable female student-athlete who has exhibited an outstanding athletic performance throughout the 2015-16 athletic year. This award is based off of statistics, league & national awards, record-breaking performances, and individual and/or team achievements.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Brianna Hines -- Women's Swimming
Elaine Heflin -- Softball
Mikailla Northern -- Women's Gymnastics
Ruvanna Campbell -- Women's Basketball
Stephenee Yancy -- Volleyball


Male Athlete of the Year
Presented to the most valuable male student-athlete who has exhibited an outstanding athletic performance throughout the 2015-16 athletic year. This award is based off of statistics, league & national awards, record-breaking performances, and individual and/or team achievements.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Christian Saporiti -- Men's Track & Field
Dikembe Dixson -- Men's Basketball
Jake Dahlberg -- Baseball
Kyle Hauser -- Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Manny Chavez -- Men's Soccer


Female Flame Thrower
Presented to the UIC female senior student-athlete that represents what it means to be the ultimate Flame. Nominees must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, have a significant impact on their team through athletic performance, take on a leadership role, maintain a positive influence both on and off the field, and have been actively involved in community service projects.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Flo Beshiri -- Women's Soccer
Dana Capocci -- Softball
Giulia Hindermann -- Women's Gymnastics


Male Flame Thrower
Presented to the UIC male senior student-athlete that represents what it means to be the ultimate Flame. Nominees must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, have a significant impact on their team through athletic performance, take on a leadership role, maintain a positive influence both on and off the field, and have been actively involved in community service projects.

NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Jordan Banks -- Men's Track & Field
Mark Ciesielski -- Men's Diving
Max Cederkall -- Men's Tennis
Mitch Granger -- Men's Tennis
Thomas Villamil -- Men's Soccer