General | 5/21/2025 3:58:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (May 24, 2024) – At the close of an incredible year of historical moments and unforgettable memories, the Texas Woman's Division of Student Life came together at their annual awards ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year.
 
The ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, which was a Hawaiian themed event, honored individuals in 11 different award categories. TWU Athletics, a member of the Division of Student Life, had staff members honored in four categories. 

First, Marisa Martin, Head Coach of Pioneer Pride Dance Team, was honored with the Innovation Award, which recognizes a staff person who demonstrated creative, novel and sustainable initiatives within the last year to enhance our work, challenge assumptions, foster organizational health and promote student learning and success. The honorees bring their creative energy to serving the students and growing the programs each and every day.

Martin, in her third year with the Pioneers, led Pioneer Pride to a historical season. This season, the Pioneers won their first National Championship in program history, claiming the title in Division II Spirit Rally. Martin and Assistant Coach Emily Jensen choreographed the winning routine, and they also won the National Dance Alliance (NDA) Innovative Choreography Award. The year started off with the Pioneers securing an NDA Summer Camp Gold Bid -- the first in program history. The Pioneers went on to continue to make history, winning second place in Pom at the USA Collegiate Championship, first place in Pom at ADTS and first place overall Division II at ADTS. Along with winning the Spirit Rally title, the Pioneers also recorded their highest finish in Pom at NDA Nationals in program history -- placing third. Martin's innovation also shone in her creation of two teams of Pioneer Pride -- a competition squad and game day squad -- which allowed the Pioneers to be present at every home event and also compete at a high level on the competitive stage. 

Next, Associate Basketball Head Coach Jake Stevens received the Campus Leader with a Heart Award, which honors an individual who exemplifies leadership, and believes it is an action-oriented endeavor not based on position or level of authority. A Campus Leader with a Heart strives to bring about positive change in the TWU community and performs their role exceptionally well while working largely behind the scenes.

In his first season back with the Pioneers, Stevens helped guide the TWU to their third straight Lone Star Conference (LSC) Regular Season Championship and second straight LSC Tournament Title. Additionally, he guided the Pioneers to a return to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and their fewest losses in program history. Through his role, Stevens aims to truly develop champions in all aspects of life and works to mentor the student-athletes to be the best they can be in everything they do. 

In his first year with the Pioneers, Michael Green II was named a recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award. This award is given to a graduate assistant who goes above and beyond in their position to spread the TWU cornerstone's of empowerment, encouragement and success.

Through his role as the Sports Performance Graduate Assistant, Green has taken the time to get to know the student-athletes and work to help them achieve their goals in the weight room. Green has also prioritized advising the athletes in areas of nutrition and healthy eating habits. Green has continued to be a positive impact in the department and has aided in building champions in sport and in life. 

Finally, Sandee Mott, Executive Director of Athletics, was honored as an Outstanding Director of the Year. The Outstanding Director Award is given to an individual who leads their department with vision, passion and heart. The Outstanding Director goes above and beyond to inspire their department to truly live out the campus with a heart mentality. 

Mott, over the past year, led the Pioneers through another successful season, in which two teams claimed National Titles and eight teams competed in postseason competition. Everyday, Mott works to inspire her team to achieve greatness, pursue service and always bring the Pioneer Pride. With leading by example, Mott champions her team to be true Pioneers and pursue excellence on the competition floor, in the community and in academics. 

Additionally, the Meet Me at the KMA event, which was planned under the direction of Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, Heather Snow, received the Student Life Programming Award. The event took place at the final home game of the basketball regular season as an initiative to get students in the stands to cheer the Pioneers on to their third straight LSC Regular Season Title. Athletics would like to say a huge thank you to Dean Snow and her team for partnering with Athletics and working tirelessly to successfully plan an incredible event. 

Athletics would not been successful without the incredible support of the entire Division of Student Life, and we are thankful for the family of Texas Woman's University.