LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted their fourth annual Bellies award show Monday evening inside Knights Hall.
 
The Bellies are the annual athletics department awards program that gives Bellarmine student-athletes and coaches the opportunity to be recognized and honored for their widespread successes throughout the academic and athletic year.
 
Below are the 2025 winners announced during the program.
 
Knights In Action Award: This award is presented to the team with the highest number of reported community service hours. Recorded through both MobileServe and the community engagement committee, reviewed by the SAAC advisor.
2025 winner: Dance
 
Bellarmine Scholar Athlete of the Year Award: This award is presented to both a male and female undergraduate student-athlete who earned the highest GPA, is graduating in the spring of 2025 or summer of 2025 and is not returning to Bellarmine.
2025 winners: Tie, Claire Lehmkuhler (softball) and Emily O'Dee (softball); Nolan Hester (men's cross country/track and field)
 
Academic & Support Services for Student-Athletes Academic Team of the Year: This is presented to the team with the highest combined team GPA of the previous two semesters.
2025 winner: Softball
 
Norton Sports Health Fight Like a Knight Award: Nominated by the Academic Support, Sports Performance & Sports Medicine staff members. This award recognizes a student-athlete declared to have demonstrated the most resilience and capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and/or injuries while exemplifying the characteristics of being a Knights student-athlete.
2025 winner: Mara Perry (volleyball)
 
Knights Spirit Award: Nominated by the coaching staff of the cheer and dance teams, this award is presented to one graduating student-athlete, who will not be returning to Bellarmine. This student-athlete goes above and beyond in their sport for their university, their teammates and coaches and in the community.
2025 winner: Shelby Delk (dance)
 
Scarlet Heart Award: Presented to one women's team and one men's team with the highest level of engagement across the university. This includes supporting fellow Knights student-athletes and programs in the Knight Cup competition, engagement in the Bellarmine community and completing Knight School activities.
2025 winners: Women's soccer and men's track and field
 
Blazing Torch Award: Nominated, selected and presented by members of the SAAC, this award is presented to both a male a female student-athlete based on their positive attitude, selflessness, and hard work while being a great teammate. The recipients always show up and lead by example.
2025 winners: Emily O'Dee (softball) and Vineet Ramesh (men's tennis)
 
Photo of the Year: Based on a fan vote on from @BellarmineSAAC on X.
2025 winner: Dance (see photo)
 
Moment of the Year
2025 winner: Wrestling: AJ Rallo and Devan Hendricks became the first Knights to compete for an NCAA Division I national championship.
 
Assistant Coach of the Year: Nominated by student-athletes and presented by members of the SAAC, this award is presented to the assistant coach who has shown an outstanding commitment to their team and the development of student-athletes while improving the value and success of the program. They show commitment to the head coach while maintaining a professional manner and attitude. They emphasize the team culture, are active members in the Bellarmine community and contribute to the overall growth of the athletics department and the student-athlete experience.
2025 winner: Grace McCormick (swimming)
 
Head Coach of the Year Award: Nominated by student-athletes, this award is presented to the head coach who has demonstrated an outstanding ability to not only improve the value and success of their program, but also to create an impactful team culture. The individual shows consistent commitment to the growth of the program, focuses on the mentorship and impact on their staff and acts in a professional manner. This individual has proven to be a positive representative of Bellarmine by engaging in the community and working toward the overall growth of the athletics department, as well as his or her student-athletes.
2025 winner: Ned Schuck (wrestling)
 
New to Newburg Award: Nominated by head coaches, this award is presented to a freshman and/or transfer male and female student-athlete based outstanding athletic performance, participation, involvement with the Bellarmine community and contribution to the overall growth of the department.
2025 winners: Skylar Treadwell (women's basketball) and AJ Rallo (wrestling)
 
Valor MVP Award: Nominated by head coaches, this accolade is given to a male and female student-athlete who exemplify the meaning of the athletic department's culture. It is someone who truly embodies 'Bellarmine Rising' and does so by excelling in the classroom, the community and athletic competition. This student-athlete has the strength of mind and spirit that enables a person to encounter any challenges presented with firmness and bravely.
2025 winners: Hayley Harrison (women's basketball) and Devan Hendricks (wrestling)
 
Over 500 Knights student-athletes and coaches attended while John Alie (lacrosse), Nick Ferge (lacrosse) and Megan Konerman (softball) hosted.
 
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