Created in 2017, The Rally Awards (also known as 'The Rallys') is a formal-attire event, open to student-athletes, Ripon athletics staff and special guests. Named after Ripon's mascot, Rally the Red Hawk, there is also a pre-ceremony 'Red Carpet' event where student-athletes and coaches are encouraged to take photos with their teams and/or friends. The Rallys is styled after major awards ceremonies, such as the Oscars and The ESPYs, complete with awards such as Breakthrough Performer, Comeback Athlete, and Upset of the Year, and much more. We are always looking to add to the event, so check it out in the Spring of each year to see improvements and additions.
Award candidates are determined by nominations from Ripon's coaching staff, who then casts preliminary votes to narrow each award down to four finalists. Then each award is voted on by both coaches and student-athletes, with a combined vote determining the winner of each award. The night also consists of recognition of outstanding Academic and Athletic performances, as well as National and Regional Awards that have been received by Ripon College student-athletes throughout the year.
For more information and/or suggestions for The Rally Awards, please contact Ripon's Director of Athletic Communications, Brock Reisler at (920) 748-8770 or via e-mail at reislerb@ripon.edu.
Below are the nominees and winners of each Rally Award as given out at that year's awards ceremony.
2025 Rally Awards
2024 Rally Awards
2020 Rally Awards
2019 Rally Awards
2018 Rally Awards
2017 Rally Awards
The Rallys also includes the Julie Johnson Staff Spirit Award, which was renamed in honor of Ripon's longtime coach and Athletic Director Julie Johnson in 2020. This award is voted on by Ripon's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is someone who supports Ripon's student-athletes both academically and athletically throughout the year.
Past Julie Johnson Staff Spirit Award winners include:
Al Sturgeon (2025)
President Vickie Folse and her husband, Dick (2024)
Linda Jess (2020)
Julie Johnson (2019)
Pearl Terbilcox (2018)
Paul Schoofs (2017)
Karen Clark (2016)
Rebecca Matzke (2015)
Added in 2019, the Most Forward Focused award is given by the career and professional development office to the student-athlete who is the most driven and focused on their post-graduation plans. The winners of the Most Forward Focused award are as follows:
2025 - Chase Polyak (Women's Tennis)
2024 - Sam Kobylski (Women's Soccer and Track & Field)
2020 - Bennett Groves (Football)
2019 - Kaylie Marks (Volleyball and Track & Field)
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