TCU teams, athletes prove it’s an ‘everything’ school. Let’s hand out some awards
The 2024-25 athletic season is officially in the books and it was another solid year across the board for TCU athletics.
The fanbase’s claim of TCU being an “everything” school was bolstered as the Horned Frogs had strong seasons in multiple sports.
The football team won nine games, while women’s basketball shocked the country and reached the Elite Eight. The Horned Frogs also added another national championship from a non-revenue sport and produced All-Americans across the board in track and field, baseball and more.
What better way to recap the year than by handing out some awards to TCU athletes?
Male Athlete of the Year
TCU wide receiver Jack Bech: Bech had one of the biggest breakout seasons in the country as he went from a reserve wide receiver to one of the best in the Big 12. Bech set career-highs with 62 receptions, 1,034 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as he shifted from playing slot receiver to outside receiver.
Bech also overcame personal tragedy after his brother Tiger was killed in the Bourbon Street terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. Bech was voted MVP of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the top college all-star football game, days after Tiger’s death and he dedicated the performance to his brother. Bech was picked in the second round by the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL Draft.
Female Athlete of the Year
TCU guard Hailey Van Lith: Van Lith’s transfer to TCU from LSU sent shockwaves across the country and instantly made the Horned Frogs a national storyline. Van Lith led the Horned Frogs to the best basketball season in program history as TCU captured the program’s first Big 12 regular season and conference tournament championship while also leading TCU to the Elite Eight.
Van Lith was voted Big 12 Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and also earned All-American honors before being drafted in the first round of the WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky.
Team of the Year
TCU women’s basketball: Led by Van Lith, Madison Conner and Sedona Prince, the Horned Frogs completed one of the biggest turnarounds in college basketball. Two seasons ago TCU was the worst team in the Big 12, but thanks to the Horned Frogs’ big three, TCU became one of the best teams in the country. The impact of Van Lith, Prince and Conner went beyond what they did on the court this season.
Their performance helped TCU land one of the best transfer classes in the country led by Notre Dame transfer Olivia Miles.
Best under-the-radar team
TCU beach volleyball: The Horned Frogs shocked the nation by becoming the first team not named USC or UCLA to win a national championship as TCU held on to defeat Loyola Marymount in the title game. It was a sweet payback for the Horned Frogs after losing to LMU twice earlier in the season and it was the ninth overall national title for the program.
Game of the Year
TCU women’s basketball vs. Louisville: The Horned Frogs’ second round matchup against Van Lith’s former Louisville team was a special moment in Fort Worth. Not only did TCU clinch a Sweet Sixteen berth on their home court, the crowd at Schollmaier Arena was one of the best crowds the program has ever seen. Fans from all over the D-FW metro area made the trip to watch Agnes Emma-Nnopu and Van Lith lead TCU to a 85-70 win.
The game showed what could be possible for women’s basketball in Fort Worth.
Best individual performance
Savion Williams vs. Texas Tech: Williams helped turn the Horned Frogs’ football season around and improved his draft stock with his performance against the Red Raiders on Oct. 26. Williams rushed for 72 yards, had 81 receiving yards and two total touchdowns as TCU defeated its rival 35-34. Williams moving to the backfield helped TCU win five of its final six regular season games. Williams was picked in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Play of the Year
Vasean Allette’s buzzer beater vs. Oklahoma State: The Horned Frogs’ men’s basketball team shocked the Cowboys in February when TCU pulled off an improbable inbounds pass to Allette with 3.2 seconds remaining. The initial pass from Jace Posey was tipped and eventually landed in Allette’s hands with about two seconds remaining, and he was able to quickly turn around and hit the deep 3-pointer with just over a second remaining as TCU defeated the Cowboys 73-72.
Honorable mention
TCU men’s tennis: The Horned Frogs almost repeated as national champions, as TCU reached the title match against Wake Forest but fell to the Demon Deacons 4-2 on May 19. The Horned Frogs set a single-season record for total wins and reached the NCAA semifinals for the third straight season.
