The HBU athletic department spirit award, named for long-time employee Mildred Boone, who was caretaker to the university's live mascot Mingo, has been renamed. The award, which recognizes the student-athlete who is the most spirited and best supports his or her fellow athletes, will now be named the Frances Curtis & Mildred Boone Spirit Award.

Curtis, HBU's Dean of Students, is retiring this year after 40 years at the university where she also serves as cheerleader sponsor.  She and her husband of 56 years, Johnny, are avid supporters of the Huskies' athletic program.

The 2007-08 recipient of the Frances Curtis & Mildred Boone Spirit Award is HBU basketball player Jeremy Havard.

Other athletic awards presented for 2007-08 are as follows:

Varsity Athlete Academic Award

(presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average) -- Softball player Lorin Leatherwood

Jan Edds Athlete of the Year Award (presented to the female athlete who best exhibits athletic ability, leadership, scholarship, sportsmanship, and university and community service and named for long-time physical education instructor Jan Edds) -- Volleyball player Jamie Sebesta

Robbie Robertson Athlete of the Year Award

(presented to the male athlete who best exhibits athletic ability, leadership, scholarship, sportsmanship, and university and community service and named for former chair of the athletic committee to the Board of Trustees Robbie Robertson) -- Baseball player Andrew Taccolini

Galdino Lucero Service Award

(presented to the student-athlete, manager or student trainer who best serves his or her fellow students and coaches in the athletic department in a caring and selfless manner. Named for former athletic department employee Galdino Lucero who gave his life to save a drowning child off the coast of Galveston in 2002)                               -- Student Trainer Alyssa Lewellyn