TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati student-athlete Sam Jean (men's golf) and Harper Clopton (lacrosse) were named the 2023 Jean Stephens Memorial Award Recipients.
The pair was honored during halftime of the men's basketball game on Wednesday night. The award was presented by family members of Jean Stephens, Sue Jones and Susan Grieff.
// ABOUT JEAN STEPHENS
In 1999, UC Athletics lost one of its most loyal and dedicated staff members, Jean Stephens. Two years later, to recognize and promote the qualities Stephens exemplified in her 15 years of service, the Jean Stephens Memorial Award was instituted to recognize a female and male student-athlete for their high integrity, high ethical standards, respect for all persons and commitment to both UC Athletics and the University of Cincinnati.
The complete list of all-time honorees can be found here.
// SAM JEAN • MEN'S GOLF
Jean, a senior mechanical engineering major, has lifted the Bearcat men's golf program to new heights. This fall, he led UC to its highest-ever ranking of No. 29 behind a first-place finish at the Bearcat Invitational. Off the course, he is an Academic All-American who boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Quotes from Jean's nomination:
// HARPER CLOPTON • LACROSSE
Clopton, a sophomore interdisciplinary studies major, is a young leader for the Bearcat lacrosse program. Alongside teammates, she has organized several community service events, including a walk against breast cancer through Making Strides of Greater Cincinnati. This is the first major award Clopton has garnered in her career.
Quotes from Clopton's nomination:
// 2023 JEAN STEPHENS MEMORIAL AWARD NOMINEES
Katie Hallinan – Senior, Women's Golf
Paighton Masterson – Senior, Women's Golf
Jillian Hayes – Junior, Women's Basketball
Kelli Niehaus – Senior, Women's Tennis
Maria Santilli – Senior, Women's Tennis
Rylee Penn – Senior, Women's Cross Country / Track and Field
Carly Glendinning – Freshman, Volleyball
Ashley Barron – Senior, Women's Soccer
Lauren Bastian – Junior, Women's Soccer
Sam Jean – Senior, Men's Golf
Harper Clopton – Sophomore, Lacrosse
Thomas Matthew – Junior, Men's Swimming and Diving
Steven McElroy –Sophomore, Men's Track and Field
Cam Scheler – Senior, Baseball
The pair was honored during halftime of the men's basketball game on Wednesday night. The award was presented by family members of Jean Stephens, Sue Jones and Susan Grieff.
// ABOUT JEAN STEPHENS
In 1999, UC Athletics lost one of its most loyal and dedicated staff members, Jean Stephens. Two years later, to recognize and promote the qualities Stephens exemplified in her 15 years of service, the Jean Stephens Memorial Award was instituted to recognize a female and male student-athlete for their high integrity, high ethical standards, respect for all persons and commitment to both UC Athletics and the University of Cincinnati.
The complete list of all-time honorees can be found here.
// SAM JEAN • MEN'S GOLF
Jean, a senior mechanical engineering major, has lifted the Bearcat men's golf program to new heights. This fall, he led UC to its highest-ever ranking of No. 29 behind a first-place finish at the Bearcat Invitational. Off the course, he is an Academic All-American who boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Quotes from Jean's nomination:
- Commitment in the form of hard work and preparation is the name of Sam's game
- As Sam matured and the need for our best player to become a leader proved more clear, he pushed himself to do what was uncomfortable
- I have never met a young man that was more prepared to do what was right in life than what was easy
// HARPER CLOPTON • LACROSSE
Clopton, a sophomore interdisciplinary studies major, is a young leader for the Bearcat lacrosse program. Alongside teammates, she has organized several community service events, including a walk against breast cancer through Making Strides of Greater Cincinnati. This is the first major award Clopton has garnered in her career.
Quotes from Clopton's nomination:
- Harper relies on and expects her teammates to push her and make her better, all the while enjoying their friendships and bonds as a team
- She bleeds Red and Black and strives for excellence in everything that she does
- She makes all the right decisions and always looks out for the benefit of others
// 2023 JEAN STEPHENS MEMORIAL AWARD NOMINEES
Katie Hallinan – Senior, Women's Golf
Paighton Masterson – Senior, Women's Golf
Jillian Hayes – Junior, Women's Basketball
Kelli Niehaus – Senior, Women's Tennis
Maria Santilli – Senior, Women's Tennis
Rylee Penn – Senior, Women's Cross Country / Track and Field
Carly Glendinning – Freshman, Volleyball
Ashley Barron – Senior, Women's Soccer
Lauren Bastian – Junior, Women's Soccer
Sam Jean – Senior, Men's Golf
Harper Clopton – Sophomore, Lacrosse
Thomas Matthew – Junior, Men's Swimming and Diving
Steven McElroy –Sophomore, Men's Track and Field
Cam Scheler – Senior, Baseball