Western Kentucky’s athletics department hosted the seventh annual TOPSY Award show on Wednesday evening. The event was hosted by men’s basketball student-athlete Tyler Olden and volleyball student-athlete Callahan Wiegandt.

WKU athletics distributed 25 awards in total relating to academics, community service and/or athletic performance.

Most awards are nominated and voted upon by student-athletes, coaches and staff while some are selected specifically by administration or the TOPSYs committee.

Four major awards highlighted the end of the evening. The John O. Oldham Student-Athlete of the Year Award is given to the male and female with the statistically best on-field/court performance of the 2023-24 school year. Men’s basketball’s Don McHenry and volleyball’s Paige Briggs were honored with the prestigious award for their accomplishments. It was Briggs’ second time winning the award. She also earned the honor in 2021.

Men’s basketball was awarded Best Overall Team Performance for its 2023-24 season. The Hilltoppers earned the program’s 44th conference title in March, winning the 2024 Conference USA Tournament Championship. It was the program’s first ever CUSA tournament title and it was the first time WKU had advanced to the NCAA Tournament since 2013. The Hilltoppers finished the season with a 22-12 record and a 10-2 record in Diddle Arena.

Tyler “Fluff” Olden of Hilltopper basketball was awarded the Phillip Hatchett Hilltopper Spirit Award. The award is given to a student-athlete that represents the Hilltopper spirit in every way possible. They have a positive impact in their community while also pulling the best out of their teammates and self. Past recipients of the award include Billy Tom Sargent (2019, men’s golf), Emma Kowalkowski (2020, volleyball), Taylor Davis (2021, softball), Audrey Griffin (2022, track & field) and Luke Frampton (2023, men’s basketball).

Football’s Malachi Corley was given the Mr. Hilltopper award and track and field’s Katie Isenbarger was named Ms. Hilltopper.

Women’s golf earned the Team Community Outreach Award for their dedicated service to the community. Golfer Averi Cline was the Female Community Outreach Award winner for the second year in a row while Jaylen Dorsey of men’s basketball took home the Male Community Outreach Award.

Volleyball’s Travis Hudson earned Head Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.

2023-24 TOPSY Awards

Men’s Scholar Team of the Year – Men’s Golf

Women’s Scholar Team of the Year – Women’s Golf

Male Scholar Athlete of the Year – Nathan Griffin, Football

Female Scholar Athlete of the Year – Catie Craig, Women’s Golf

Male Graduate Scholar Athlete of the Year – Austin Reed, Football

Female Graduate Scholar Athlete of the Year – Lily Rummo, Soccer

Team Community Outreach Award – Women’s Golf

Male Community Outreach Award – Jaylen Dorsey, Men’s Basketball

Female Community Outreach Award – Averi Cline, Women’s Golf

Best Male Record-Breaking Performance – Malachi Corley, Football

Best Female Record-Breaking Performance – Taylor Sanders, Softball

Male Rookie of the Year – Teagan Moore, Men’s Basketball

Female Rookie of the Year – Morgan Sharpe, Softball

Newcomer of the Year – Kaylee Cox, Volleyball

Head Coach of the Year – Travis Hudson, Volleyball

Staff Member of the Year – Audrey Griffin (Student-Athlete Development) and Dustin Wilson (Athletic Training)

Best Comeback Award – Football vs. Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl

Best Upset Award – Baseball vs. No. 8 Dallas Baptist

Mr. Hilltopper Award – Malachi Corley, Football

Ms. Hilltopper Award – Katie Isenbarger, Track and Field

Phillip Hatchett Hilltopper Spirit Award – Tyler “Fluff” Olden, Men’s Basketball

John O. Oldham Student Athlete of the Year – Don McHenry, Men’s Basketball

John O. Oldham Student Athlete of the Year – Paige Briggs, Volleyball

Overall Team Performance – Men’s Basketball{&end}