MARSHALL — Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the annual Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics Department “Celebration of Excellence” will be conducted through a virtual version via SMSU’s social media outlets on Thursday.

The “Celebration of Excellence” program, hosted by SMSU Director of Athletics Chris Hmielewski and SMSU Athletic Communications Director Kelly Loft, will honor student-athletes that earned awards throughout the past year, including All-NSIC, scholar athletes, national qualifiers, All-American, All-Region, Myles Brand Award honorees, and team MVPs, along with special SMSU faculty and SAAC awards.

Nearly 60 SMSU senior student-athletes will be recognized as well for their dedication to Mustang Athletics.

The 2019-20 Female and Male Athletes of the Year and the 2019-20 Female and Male Scholar-Athletes of the Year will also be announced.

The Athlete of the Year voting includes spring sports of 2019 (baseball, women’s golf, softball, men’s and women’s outdoor track & field and women’s tennis) and the fall and winter sports of the 2019-20 athletic year.

— Content courtesy of SMSU Athletic Communications