SAN ANTONIO, TX — Last Friday night, May 8, the spotlight shined bright on Palo Alto College Athletics as student-athletes, coaches, staff, and families gathered for the annual Student Athlete Award Ceremony — "Kicks & Couture." And this year's Western-themed celebration proved to be one for the record books.
From cowboy hats and boots to rhinestones and denim, Palomino athletes fully embraced the night's theme, showing off their best cowboy and cowgirl looks as they traded jerseys for formal wear in a night filled with laughter, celebration, and unforgettable memories. Before the awards ceremony began, athletes and their families continued a beloved PAC tradition — gathering together to mingle, reconnect, and enjoy great food. Fan-favorite Dirt Road Cookers returned in style, serving up not one, but TWO massive 8-foot pizzas that kept everyone fueled for the exciting night ahead.
But beyond the fun atmosphere and western flair, the evening served a much bigger purpose: honoring an incredible year of hard work, sacrifice, and excellence by Palomino student-athletes.
Academic Excellence Takes Center Stage
The first awards of the night recognized the athletes who truly embodied the "student" in student-athlete.
Student-athletes who earned a GPA between 3.5 and 3.9 during the Fall 2025 semester received the Academic Achievement Award. Those honored included:
PAC Athletics also celebrated a remarkable group of student-athletes who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA and earned the High Achiever Academic Award:
This year's Palomino athletes reached historic heights academically. As a department, athletes completed nearly 1,000 combined study hall and tutoring hours — far surpassing expectations and proving their dedication both in competition and in the classroom.
Team Awards Highlight Athletic Dominance
Next came the marquee awards of the evening — the Athletic Team Awards. Head coaches from each program selected athletes who demonstrated excellence, leadership, and commitment throughout the season.
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball
Volleyball
Baseball
Service Above Self
One of the most meaningful moments of the night came with the presentation of the coveted Man & Woman of the Year Awards — honoring the male and female athletes who accumulated the most volunteer service hours throughout the year. After a close race filled with last-minute community events and volunteer opportunities, the 2025-26 Man of the Year Award went to Christopher Ramos of baseball, while the Female of the Year Award was earned by Brianna Villarreal from women's basketball. Together, the two student-athletes completed more than 106 hours of volunteer service dedicated to the South San Antonio community — a true reflection of what it means to represent PAC Athletics with pride and purpose.
Celebrating the Graduating Class
PAC Athletics also took time to recognize the student-athletes whose collegiate careers are coming to an end as they prepare to graduate and walk the stage this May.
Five student-athletes received an Athletic Department graduation sash along with a shadow box framed jersey commemorating their careers as Palominos:
While their time in Palomino uniforms may be ending, their impact on PAC Athletics will not soon be forgotten.
Championship Rings Steal the Show
As if the night couldn't get any more exciting, the ceremony concluded with a surprise unveiling of the newly earned TCAC Conference Championship rings for women's basketball and volleyball. The room erupted as the sparkling gold championship rings appeared on screen, leaving athletes speechless as they finally saw the symbol of their championship seasons and countless hours of dedication. The official rings will be delivered over the summer, with a formal ring ceremony scheduled for August during the Fall semester.
A Night to Remember
From awards and recognition to food, laughter, and family memories, "Kicks & Couture" perfectly capped off another unforgettable year of Palomino Athletics. Athletes and families captured the celebration at a custom photo booth, ensuring the memories of the night will last long after the final applause.
The 2025-26 season may officially be over, but the future remains incredibly bright for the Palominos. With key athletes returning across multiple programs, PAC Athletics is already gearing up for another exciting chapter — and if this year proved anything, the Palominos are only getting started.
