In 1996, the University of Arizona department of Intercollegiate Athletics created the Ruby and Sapphire Awards to recognize the top male and female student-athletes. These awards are the highest honors bestowed upon current University of Arizona student-athletes. They are given to senior student-athletes who have achieved exceptional athletic success, and excelled in academics, personal development and community service. The H.N. and Frances Berger Foundation, a private family foundation, was established in 1961 by Nor and Fran Berger of Santa Barbara, who attained success and accumulated wealth from real estate and business ventures throughout California. The Berger’s believed that the future rests in the hands of our youth and created their creed, “helping people help themselves.” Nor Berger passed away in 1988, and Fran Berger three years later, but their foundation continues their vision and good work. The Berger Foundation has contributed approximately $4.5 million to the University of Arizona Foundation for support of University programs and is pleased to have developed the H.N. and Frances Berger Endowed Athletics Scholarship Fund.
AWARD NOMINEES
Freshman Female Athlete of the Year
Freshman Male Athlete of the Year
Sophomore Female Athlete of the Year
Sophomore Male Athlete of the Year
Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Junior Male Athlete of the Year
Performance of the Year
Support Services Staff Member of the Year
Ruby Award
Sapphire Award
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS
Wildcat Way Awards
2016-2017 Academic Champions
Academic Team Awards
Valedictorian
Individual Community Service Awards
Athletic Director’s Cup of Community Service
Unsung Hero Awards
A-Club Silver Anniversary Award Recipients
Karin Buchholz, Women’s Tennis
Karin Buchholz, a former professional athlete, is the Senior VP of Development for the National Kidney Foundation, where she leads a team of 140 passionate and dedicated people in 29 local offices across the country in the challenge of raising support against a life-threating disease that puts 1 in 3 of us at risk. Her team’s hard-won efforts pay off with $25 million being raised annually to support people living with kidney disease and help raise crucial public awareness.
Prior to NKF, Karin had graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Finance from the University of Arizona, where she was a scholarship tennis player and the captain for 2 years. She started her career as a professional athlete, spending three years playing tennis on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, achieving a world ranking in singles and doubles.
After retiring as a top-ranked professional, Karin began to share the positive lessons of her sports career through a small tennis program in Harlem for underserved children and from there, continued on to work for notable organizations such as the US Tennis Association, US Olympic Committee, WNBA, and Madison Square Garden Sports.
When Karin’s partner, Paulette, donated her kidney to a close family member, the experience for both of them was life changing; inspiring and motivating Karin to help others affected by this disease. Now, as a Senior VP at the NKF, she is living a new chapter in her life’s mission by driving funding to improve the lives of everyone touched kidney disease.
Karin resides in Nyack, NY with her partner Paulette, and their 3 children; Sophia, Gabriel and Oliver, along with Daisy and Carmichael, their fabulous felines.
Marcel Wade, Football
Marcel Wade was born and raised in Oakland, California, and received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Arizona in 1988. He played linebacker for the University of Arizona football team, and was a 4-year letterman from 1989-1992. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in December 1992.
After a close friend joined the Tucson Police Department, he encouraged Marcel to do the same. Following the thrilling experience of a ride along in early 2000, Wade applied and joined the Tucson Police Department that July. In 2009, he earned the rank of Sergeant and he has held the positions of Academy Staff Officer, Recruiting Unit Sergeant, and is currently the Impound Unit Sergeant.
In addition to these career accomplishments, Wade completed the Eller Executive Education “Foundations of Public Sector Leadership” program in 2017, and is currently the Southern Arizona liaison for A.B.L.E. (Arizona Black Law Enforcement Employees).
Marcel continues to be involved with the A-Club Letterwinners Association and Arizona Athletics, and serve as a mentor for student-athletes that aspire to pursue a career in Law Enforcement.
Congrats to our 2018 Senior Class!
View their Photo Gallery
