By Carroll College honored standout student-athletes on Sunday, April 26, during the 9th annual HALO Awards, a campus-wide ceremony recognizing achievements in competition, academics, leadership and service.
Held in the Carroll PE Center, the event brought together athletes, coaches, faculty and supporters for a formal night of recognition. Student-athletes traded uniforms for formal attire as they attended a dinner before the evening’s awards ceremony, which highlighted accomplishments from the past academic year.
The HALO Awards have become a signature tradition within Carroll athletics, recognizing standout performances in competition while also honoring achievements in the classroom, community service and leadership. Awards presented throughout the night included athlete of the year, scholar-athlete distinctions and recognition for service to team and campus culture, reflecting the college’s emphasis on developing well-rounded student-athletes.
Aidan McGarvin, a senior from Eagle, Idaho, completing a double major in business financial planning and business accounting and strategic finance, said receiving the Scholar-Athlete Award was especially meaningful.
“It felt really good because it’s nice to be recognized for more than just athletics,” McGarvin said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work in the classroom over the last four years, and even though it was never about winning an award, it means a lot to have that effort acknowledged. It shows there’s more to Carroll than sports, and I know I have a great foundation to fall back on with the education I’ve gotten here.”
He added that time management played a major role in his success, saying he learned to step back when needed and “not get drowned out by the rigors of school and athletics together.”
Bandy Carlson, a senior business major from Helena, Montana, attended the event.
“I really appreciate that Carroll puts so much effort and money into an event meant to celebrate student-athletes and not just for what they do in their sport but what they do in school as well,” Carlson said.
The evening also featured a wide range of honors, including the Servant Leadership Award, Most Supportive Professor and Performance of the Year, reflecting the program’s emphasis on character, community and competitive success.
The formal setting gave the event the feel of a year-end celebration, with athletes from all sports programs sharing a meal before gathering for the ceremony. Coaches and administrators presented awards and reflected on the dedication shown by Carroll athletes throughout the year.
As another competitive year comes to a close, the HALO Awards once again highlighted the depth of talent and character across Carroll College athletics, giving student-athletes an opportunity to be recognized for achievements that extend far beyond the field of play.
