Rice University Athletics
American Conference Honors Hadnott
5/1/2026 2:10:00 PM | General
2026 Commissioner’s Annual Trailblazer Award
HOUSTON-Rice Athletics Hall of Famer Wanna Hadnott has been named the winner of the American Conference's 2026 Commissioner's Annual Trailblazer Award, which was formally announced on Friday.
The Commissioner's Annual Trailblazer Award is given to an individual who has a history of leadership behavior, who has committed time, service, and energy to embrace and uphold the tenets of unity in their everyday lives, and/or who has made innovative changes that positively affected athletics initiatives.
A pioneering figure in Rice Athletics, Hadnott became the university's first African American student-athlete—male or female—to earn a tennis scholarship, redefining access and representation while excelling as a four-year letterwinner and standout student. Her influence extended well beyond competition, as she later became the first woman and first African American President of the R Association, playing a key leadership role in the "Save Rice Athletics" initiative that helped preserve Division I competition at the university.
A dedicated mentor and advocate, Hadnott continues to serve Rice through multiple advisory and leadership roles with the Women's Athletics Advisory Board, Owl Club, and Rice Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, while remaining active in the Houston community, cementing her legacy as a transformational figure whose contributions have shaped both the institution and those who follow in her footsteps.
Last fall, she received the Distinguished R Award as part of the induction ceremonies for the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame.
Dr. Richard E. Lapchick of UCF was the inaugural winner of the award in 2023. Tina Sloan Green of Temple was honored in 2024 and Carolyn Barber-Pierre of Tulane received the award in 2025.
The Trailblazer Award is one of three annual awards presented by the conference's Leadership and Engagement Committee that were created in 2023 to recognize the contributions of student-athletes, staff, and other individuals related to the institution. The Unity Awards are named after Marlon Dechausay, the senior associate athletic director for student-athlete welfare at Memphis, who tragically passed away in December 2024.
The Marlon Dechausay Unity Awards are given to one current student-athlete as well as one current institutional staff member. Nominees should exemplify Marlon's passion, integrity and dedication to leadership in collegiate athletics. The award recognizes individuals who create meaningful opportunities, uplift those around them, and champion the growth and success of both student-athletes and staff.
Tulane Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations Jana Woodson and Memphis Track & Field student-athlete Riley Simmons were selected from a pool of nominees that also included Dunlevie Family Head Football Coach Scott Abell and Rice volleyball standout Lademi Ogunlana.
The Commissioner's Annual Trailblazer Award is given to an individual who has a history of leadership behavior, who has committed time, service, and energy to embrace and uphold the tenets of unity in their everyday lives, and/or who has made innovative changes that positively affected athletics initiatives.
A pioneering figure in Rice Athletics, Hadnott became the university's first African American student-athlete—male or female—to earn a tennis scholarship, redefining access and representation while excelling as a four-year letterwinner and standout student. Her influence extended well beyond competition, as she later became the first woman and first African American President of the R Association, playing a key leadership role in the "Save Rice Athletics" initiative that helped preserve Division I competition at the university.
A dedicated mentor and advocate, Hadnott continues to serve Rice through multiple advisory and leadership roles with the Women's Athletics Advisory Board, Owl Club, and Rice Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, while remaining active in the Houston community, cementing her legacy as a transformational figure whose contributions have shaped both the institution and those who follow in her footsteps.
Last fall, she received the Distinguished R Award as part of the induction ceremonies for the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame.
Dr. Richard E. Lapchick of UCF was the inaugural winner of the award in 2023. Tina Sloan Green of Temple was honored in 2024 and Carolyn Barber-Pierre of Tulane received the award in 2025.
The Trailblazer Award is one of three annual awards presented by the conference's Leadership and Engagement Committee that were created in 2023 to recognize the contributions of student-athletes, staff, and other individuals related to the institution. The Unity Awards are named after Marlon Dechausay, the senior associate athletic director for student-athlete welfare at Memphis, who tragically passed away in December 2024.
The Marlon Dechausay Unity Awards are given to one current student-athlete as well as one current institutional staff member. Nominees should exemplify Marlon's passion, integrity and dedication to leadership in collegiate athletics. The award recognizes individuals who create meaningful opportunities, uplift those around them, and champion the growth and success of both student-athletes and staff.
Tulane Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations Jana Woodson and Memphis Track & Field student-athlete Riley Simmons were selected from a pool of nominees that also included Dunlevie Family Head Football Coach Scott Abell and Rice volleyball standout Lademi Ogunlana.
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