MAGNOLIA, Ark. – With the 2021-22 athletic and academic year nearing an end, Mulerider Athletics is pleased to announce that the Fifth Annual "Mulespy Awards" is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. from inside the W.T. Watson Center. The event is free and the general public is invited to attend.
 
After three successful installments of the "Mulespy Awards" from 2017-2019 and with last year's show taking place outside for the first time on Rip Powell Field inside Wilkins Stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic, excitement is again building for the department's fifth end-of-the-year gathering honoring its student-athletes, coaches and programs.
 
"It is always an exciting time of year when we can gather together as a department and look back throughout the year on the accomplishments of our student-athletes, coaches and programs," remarked SAU Director of Athletics Steve Browning. "We can't wait to be back inside the W.T. Watson Center after a couple of years away and are looking forward to once again delivering a very special night, one that we hope all in attendance will remember for a long time!"
 
Serving as the night's special guest speaker will be SAU Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2018 inductee and Canadian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 honoree Nik Lewis. A former two-time All-America selection as a Mulerider, Lewis' gridiron career in Canada was spectacular. He claimed CFL Rookie of the Year honors in 2004 following his first season with the Calgary Stampeders. The Jacksboro, Texas native would go on to play 13 more seasons, winning two Grey Gups, earning five CFL All-Star selections, and playing his final three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes where he became the CFL's All-Time Leader in Receptions with 1,051. In April of 2021, Lewis became just the twenty-second first ballot Hall of Famer in CFL History. Lewis is currently the CEO and Founder of AO Sports.
 
Continuing with the theme modeled after popular awards shows such as the ESPYs, the "Mulespy Awards" will feature eight major award categories that will be handed out. Additionally, Outstanding Athletes and seniors from all 14 of the department's athletic teams as well as Athletic Training and Cheerleading will also receive special recognition throughout the evening.
 
Among the major awards that will be presented are:
Male and Female Newcomer of the Year
Male and Female Comeback Player of the Year
Murphy USA Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Auburn Smith Male Athlete of the Year
Dr. Margaret Downing Female Athlete of the Year
 
Murphy USA remains the title sponsor of the scholar-athlete of the year awards, which continues to strengthen a long-standing relationship with Southern Arkansas University and its athletic department. In recent years Murphy USA has generously partnered on several facility enhancement projects at SAU that have helped cultivate the athletic facilities on campus into some of the best around the region. With a growing network of more than 1,650 retail stores in 27 states, Murphy USA serves more than 2 million customers each day.
 
Murphy USA President and CEO Andrew Clyde who assumed his role at Murphy USA in 2013 to lead its spin-off from Murphy Oil Corporation and establish the business as a strong stand-alone public company will once again be in attendance to present remarks on behalf of Murphy USA and its relationship with Southern Arkansas University as well as assist in the handing out of both the Murphy USA Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards.
 
Finally, the top-two awards will be handed out in the form of the Auburn Smith Male Athlete of the Year and the Dr. Margaret Downing Female Athlete of the Year Award. Both Auburn Smith and Dr. Margaret Downing's legacies have left indelible marks on Southern Arkansas Athletics and each had a distinct hand in where the department stands today and the tradition it has built.
 
Helping present awards throughout the evening will be members of SAU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Additionally, video segments will be shown throughout the event featuring SAU student-athletes, coaches and administration.