LOUISVILLE, Ky – The Bellarmine Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted its annual Bellies award show, recognizing student-athletes, teams and coaches for their accomplishments throughout the academic and athletic year.

The Bellies serve as the department's premier awards program, honoring excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and service while celebrating the impact of Bellarmine student-athletes across campus.

Bellies Photo Album

Below are the 2026 award 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.
2026 winner: Softball

Scholar-Athletes of the Year
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.
2026 winners: Jolie Parker (Dance, 4.0 GPA) and Braden Griffin (Men's Soccer, 3.98 GPA)

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.
2026 winner: Women's Tennis (3.80 GPA)

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.
2026 winner: Sidney Rigsby (Women's Soccer)

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.
2026 winner: Allie Baker (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.
2026 winners: Softball and Wrestling

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.
2026 winners: Andrew Liber (Wrestling) and Olivia Pifer (Field Hockey/Women's Basketball)

Photo of the Year
 Based on a fan vote on from @BellarmineSAAC on X.
2026 winner: Dance

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.
2026 winner: Al Davis (Men's Basketball)

Head Coach of the Year
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.
2026 winner: Tim Chastonay (Men's Soccer)

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.
2026 winners: Sam Safly (Men's Soccer) and Anna Jenkins (Women's Soccer)

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.
2026 winners: John Alie (Lacrosse) and Sidney Rigsby (Women's Soccer)

Following the conclusion of the awards program, Bellarmine SAAC also announced its executive board for the 2026–27 academic year: 

President
• Sam Safly (Men's Soccer)

Vice President (Internal)
• Jackson Jones (Men's Soccer)

Vice President (External)
• Andrew Liber (Wrestling)

Treasurer
• Lizzy Sosa (Women's Swimming) 

Marketing Manager
• Anouk Richters (Field Hockey)

Secretary
• Lillie Willis (Women's Tennis)

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow @BUKnights on X, Instagram and Facebook.