Jackrabbit Award
Description
This award honors the memory of Tom "TJ" Johnson, affectionately known as "The Jackrabbit," whose unparalleled joy and passion deeply fueled the MSU Ultimate community. TJ's legacy is one of infectious enthusiasm, relentless positivity, and a boundless energy that left a lasting impact on all who knew him and the game he loved.
Awarded annually to a player whose presence ignites joy within the team, this accolade recognizes someone who, like TJ, becomes a source of light and motivation. It celebrates the individual whose spirit lifts teammates beyond the field, making every practice, game, and team gathering a testament to the power of happiness and camaraderie in sports.
The recipient of The 'The Jackrabbit' Spirit Award' embodies the heart and soul of MSU Ultimate, showcasing how passion and joy can transform not only a team's dynamic but also its success and legacy.
Through this award, we keep TJ's spirit alive, inspiring current and future generations to spread joy and passion in his memory, making a lasting, positive impact on the MSU Ultimate community.
Award Recipients
| Year | Name | Team | Class | Captain Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | TBA | Moose | TBA | TBA |
| 2025-2026 | TBA | ARC | TBA | TBA |
| 2024-2025 | Anishi Desai | Moose | Junior | Anishi was selected for the award because she was dedicated to our team and to herself. She always showed up and gave it her all in practice. Her speed and agility made her stand out as a cutter and she was constantly trying to get better at positioning, throwing, and doing the right thing. She was consistently spirited in practice and tournaments, helping raise team spirit and community. |
| 2024-2025 | Joey Flynn | ARC | Senior | Since joining ARC, Joey has been a steady source of motivation and energy. He stepped into a unique role as a leader without a title. He didn’t lead/motivate just through cheers, but by grounding our mindset during long tournament weekends and delivering powerful pregame speeches. No one else could’ve done what Joey did for ARC this past season and prior. No matter the stakes, he brought focus and fire, setting the tone from the very start. He consistently inspired us to play for each other and the logo on our jersey. Our unofficial team motto that reminded us to play our game this season came from Joey himself: “Ten seconds at a time — that’s all it takes.” When we learned what the Jackrabbit Award stood for, there was no doubt. Joey Flynn was our guy. |