WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Seniors Maddie Schermerhorn and Mason Gillis of the volleyball and men's basketball programs were named recipients of the Big Ten Medal of Honor, recognizing their prolific achievements in the classroom and in competition.
Schermerhorn and Gillis join the 110th class of the conference's most prestigious award after extensive and excellent athletic careers for the Boilermakers. Established in 1915, the Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who have excelled on and off the field throughout their college career. It was the first award in intercollegiate athletics to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on athletics.
Schermerhorn is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and has been just as successful on the court as she was in the classroom. She was the conference leader with 4.54 digs per set in 2023 and was selected Second Team All-Big Ten. The Boilermaker from Ligonier posted 13 matches with 20-plus digs throughout the season and finished her collegiate career as one the best defensive specialists in program history. Schermerhorn ranked fifth in Purdue history in career digs (1,461) and third most digs in a single season (570).
Gillis was named the 2024 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year after another stellar season with the men's basketball team, playing a key role in Purdue's run to the national championship game. Also a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, he made 46.8 percent from long range (58-of-124), ranking sixth nationally in 3-point percentage among players that made at least 50, 3-pointers. The New Castle native played four years for the Boilermakers after redshirting the 2019-20 season.
Gillis earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue in three-and-a-half years before receiving his MBA in management from the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. Schermerhorn earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology before going on to finish with her master's in communication and leadership from the Brian Lamb School of Communication.
Schermerhorn is the 10th volleyball student-athlete in school history to receive the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor. Gillis became the 32nd player from the men's basketball program to win the award and the first since Purdue Athletics Hall of Famer Robbie Hummel in 2012.
Medal of Honor Recipients - Volleyball
Schermerhorn and Gillis join the 110th class of the conference's most prestigious award after extensive and excellent athletic careers for the Boilermakers. Established in 1915, the Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who have excelled on and off the field throughout their college career. It was the first award in intercollegiate athletics to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on athletics.
Schermerhorn is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and has been just as successful on the court as she was in the classroom. She was the conference leader with 4.54 digs per set in 2023 and was selected Second Team All-Big Ten. The Boilermaker from Ligonier posted 13 matches with 20-plus digs throughout the season and finished her collegiate career as one the best defensive specialists in program history. Schermerhorn ranked fifth in Purdue history in career digs (1,461) and third most digs in a single season (570).
Gillis was named the 2024 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year after another stellar season with the men's basketball team, playing a key role in Purdue's run to the national championship game. Also a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, he made 46.8 percent from long range (58-of-124), ranking sixth nationally in 3-point percentage among players that made at least 50, 3-pointers. The New Castle native played four years for the Boilermakers after redshirting the 2019-20 season.
Gillis earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue in three-and-a-half years before receiving his MBA in management from the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. Schermerhorn earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology before going on to finish with her master's in communication and leadership from the Brian Lamb School of Communication.
Schermerhorn is the 10th volleyball student-athlete in school history to receive the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor. Gillis became the 32nd player from the men's basketball program to win the award and the first since Purdue Athletics Hall of Famer Robbie Hummel in 2012.
| 1982 | Anne McMenany |
| 1983 | Jane Neff |
| 1984 | Jan Hoosline |
| 1985 | Annette Bauer |
| 1986 | Cheryl Flowers |
| 1989 | Barb Meeker |
| 2013 | Ariel Turner |
| 2018 | Ashley Evans |
| 2022 | Grace Cleveland |
| 2024 | Maddie Schermerhorn |
| 1916 | Paul Walter |
| 1919 | Bob Markley |
| 1920 | Paul Church |
| 1925 | Fred Wellman |
| 1928 | Harry Kemmer |
| 1929 | Clyde Lyle |
| 1932 | John Wooden |
| 1934 | Dutch Fehring |
| 1936 | Bob Kessler |
| 1937 | Glynn Downey |
| 1943 | Allen Menke |
| 1947 | Merwyn Anderson |
| 1951 | Neil Schmidt |
| 1955 | Dennis Blind |
| 1956 | Joe Sexson |
| 1957 | Joe Campbell |
| 1961 | Bob Orrill |
| 1964 | Mel Garland |
| 1966 | Dave Schellhase |
| 1971 | George Faerber |
| 1972 | Bob Ford |
| 1977 | Bruce Parkinson |
| 1981 | Brian Walker |
| 1985 | Steve Reid |
| 1990 | Stephen Scheffler |
| 1991 | Dave Barrett |
| 1992 | Craig Riley |
| 1998 | Chad Austin |
| 2000 | Brian Cardinal |
| 2010 | Chris Kramer |
| 2012 | Robbie Hummel |
| 2024 | Mason Gillis |