The "Ryder Athlete of the Year" stands as the most prestigious Cardinal athletic award. During his tenure, former SVSU president, Dr. Jack M. Ryder and his wife, Lila, were both passionate fans of Cardinal Athletics. Their support and contributions to the SVSU Athletic Department are recognized on an annual basis with the presentation of the "Ryder Athlete of the Year" award, which is presented to the top male and female Cardinal student-athletes.
Ryder Athlete of the Year Recipients
2022-23
Female - Cheyenne Nesbitt | Women's Track & Field
Male - Jonathan Monney | Men's Soccer
2021-22
Female - Cheyenne Nesbitt | Women's Track & Field
Male - CarLee Stimpfel | Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
Fall 0f 2019 / Winter/Spring 2020-21
Female - Cheyenne Nesbitt | Women's Track & Field
Male - Sam Black | Men's Track & Field
Female - Lauren Huebner | Women's Track & Field
Male - Ryan Kelly | Men's Track & Field
Female - Melanie Soenksen | Women's Swimming
Male - Andrew Mudd | Men's Track & Field
Female - Amanda Thielen | Women's Swimming
Male - Sam Black | Men's Track & Field
Female - Emily Wendling | Women's Basketball
Male - Tyler Channell | Men's Soccer
Female - Taylor Stepanski | Women's Track / Cross Country
Male - Craig Neal | Men's Soccer
Female - Emily Short | Women's Track / Cross Country
Male - Jeff Janis | Football
2012-13
Female - Lauren Hill | Track / Cross Country
Male - Zach Myers | Soccer
2011-12
Female - Alycia Wright | Track and Field
Male - Zach Myers | Soccer
2010-11
Female - Jade Fulton | Softball
Male - Nate Kelly | Golf : Tyler Grob | Track and Field
2009-10
Female - Kait Harris | Volleyball
Male - Tony Filipek | Track and Feld
2008-09
Female - Sarah Redoute | Volleyball
Male - John Jacobs | Football
2007-08
Female - Stacy Kraatz | Softball
Male - Reed Welker | Baseball
2006-07
Female - Rebecca Rudey | Track and Cross Country : Ashley Bishop | Track
Male - Scott Schlaff | Baseball
2005-06
Female - Karen Ray | Softball
Male - Joe Digiorgio | Football
2004-05
Female - Nicole Schwarz | Tennis
Male - Neil Baumgartner | Football
2003-04
Female - Amanda Gallier | Track and Field
Male - Glenn Martinez | Football
2002-03
Female - Nicole Sullivan | Track and Field
Male - Scott Corby | Baseball
2001-02
Female - Nicole Sullivan | Track and Field
Male - Justin Garcia | Baseball
2000-01
Female - Nicole Sullivan | Track and Field
Male - Paul Markel | Track and Field
1999-00
Female - Mindy Ramsey | Track
Male - Paul Markel | Track
1998-99
Female - Jenny Rommel | Basketball
Male - Brian Waliczek | Bowling
1997-98
Female - Amy Rembisz | Track ad Field
Male - Timothy Neelands | Football
1996-97
Female - Angie Sneider | Track and Feld
Male - Charles Davis | Football
1995-96
Female - Andrea Kieser | Track and Field
Male - John Sullivan | Baseball
1994-95
Female - Andrea Kieser | Track and Field
Male - Daryl Stallworth | Track and Field
1993-94
Female - Melanie Bowen | Track and field
Male - Mike Villano | Baseball
1992-93
Female - Roseann Rutledge | Basketball
Male - Bill Schafer | Football
1991-92
Female - Becky Duda | Cross Country and Track
Male - Bill Vitti | Basketball
1990-91
Female - Susan Breternitz | Track and Field
Male - Todd Graham | Cross Country amd Track
1989-90
Female - Becky Duda | Cross Country and Track
Male - Tom Badour | Track and Field and Football
1988-1989
Female - Julie Bydalek | Softball
Male - Tom Badour | Track and Field