STANFORD, Calif. – The annual Stanford Athletic Board Awards were held at Bing Auditorium, highlighting the Cardinal's excellence during the 2024-25 season. Ryann Neushul (women's water polo) earned the Al Masters Award as the highest-achieving student-athlete.
This year, 27 varsity programs were represented during the ceremony while 53 student-athletes walked away with awards.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Stanford has won two NCAA championships (women's rowing and women's water polo) and six total national championships (sailing (3x) and artistic swimming). The Cardinal has tallied at least one NCAA championship during each of the last 49 years, dating back to the 1976-77 campaign. In total, Stanford varsity teams have won 138 NCAA championships (71 men, 67 women) and 173 national titles overall.
The complete list of award winners is included below, in order of presentation.
Sherry Posthumus was an assistant athletics director at Stanford for nearly 25 years before her death in 2007. She was the manager of the men's and women's U.S. Olympic fencing teams in 1988, 1992, and 1996, and was instrumental in developing the Stanford fencing program. This award was established in her memory by her colleagues in the athletics department in 2008.
Shirley Schoof Club Sports Athlete of the Year
Name
Sport
Elizabeth Hong
Figure Skating
Diego Maglione
Boxing
Shirley Schoof retired in 1999 after working for 35 years for the athletics department. She was a physical education instructor and coach, and served for 20 years as an assistant athletics director. This award was established in her name in 2004 to recognize the impact that Schoof made on the university in the areas of physical education, club sports, and wellness.
Thomas W. Ford Award
Sport
Field Hockey
Thomas Ford had a profound impact on the Stanford community. He worked at Stanford for 11 years beginning in 1955 as a legal counsel in the business office, then advanced to be the university's director of land development. He served on the Stanford Athletics Board and The Board of Trustees. In 1989, the Ford Center for Sports and Recreation was dedicated in his honor. Community service was important to him, and he funded many service initiatives in the athletics department. This award was established in memory of Tom in the late 1990s.
Arthur Dauer, '59, was a dedicated volunteer who served on many local boards, including the Stanford Athletics Board. This award was established by the Dauer family in 2009. Administered by the Director of Sports Performance, this award honors the student-athlete who not only displays maximum effort on and off the field of competition, but also brings out the best in his/her teammates through positive attitude, relentless work ethic and consistent commitment to performance enhancement
Bob Murphy Award
Name
Sport
Jaylen Blakes
Men's Basketball
Bob Murphy, '53, played baseball for Stanford and became the passionate voice of Cardinal sports from 1965 until his retirement in 2007. As an emcee, Murphy shared his "…unparalleled knowledge of Stanford sports history…" during Stanford competitions. This award was established in 2008 in honor of his service as a broadcaster for the Cardinal, and is presented to the student-athlete whose unforgettable performance secures a place in Stanford Athletics history.
Jacob "Jake" Gimbel was a well-known philanthropist in the 1930s who established this award to recognize a senior who, "Shall have shown the best mental attitude toward athletics."
Pamela Strathairn, '45, MA '49, EDD '62, was the women's physical education director at Stanford during the enactment of Title IX. She worked, not only to comply with Title IX, but also to lay the foundation for women's athletics at Stanford. She was a leader in athletics administration when the men's and women's departments merged in 1975, creating a model program for universities across the nation. This award was established to honor and recognize Strathairn for her support of female student-athletes at Stanford.
Dick Gould, '59, MA '60, played tennis for Stanford and was the Stanford head men's tennis coach for 38 years from 1966-2004. His Stanford teams won 17 NCAA Championships, and 50 of his players won All-America honors. He went on to serve as the John L. Hinds Director of Tennis until his retirement in 2018. Anne Gould, '72, MA '80, played tennis for Stanford and was the women's tennis coach for four years, coaching the Cardinal's first national championship women's team before retiring as head coach to become a tennis instructor on The Farm. This award was established by the Goulds in 2007.
Presented to a charismatic student-athlete who excels at his/her sport and is an effective leader on and off the field. Furthermore, this student-athlete is an exemplary teammate, active across campus and in the community, and embraces the values of Stanford University. It is given in honor of Frank "Frankie" Albert, '42, played quarterback for Stanford, where he led the 1940 team to an undefeated season and a win at the Rose Bowl. The Spirit of Stanford is a 1942 feature film about the 1940 Stanford "Wow Boys" football squad, featuring star quarterback Frankie Albert. This award was established in 2009.
Clifford "Biff" Hoffman, '29, played football for Stanford. Under the legendary Coach Pop Warner, Hoffman helped Stanford secure its first Rose Bowl victory in 1928. As a track and field student-athlete, Hoffman set an NCAA discus record helping Stanford win the 1925 NCAA Track and Field Championship. The award is presented to outstanding seniors who compete in a men's sport.
Dr. Donald Kennedy served as Stanford's eighth president from 1980-1992. This award was named in Kennedy's honor upon his retirement as president for his incredible support of Stanford's student-athletes. The award is presented to the senior athlete who best exhibits the combination of excellent academics, strong athletic ability, and a commitment to community service.
Al Masters, '24, was the athletics director at Stanford from 1925-1963. He is remembered as one of the most distinguished sports administrators in college history. This award was first presented in 1963 by KCBS Radio in memory of Masters' passing, and is Presented to the Stanford athlete (any year or eligibility) attaining the highest standards of athletic performance, leadership and academic achievement (highest award).
