The Houston Sports Awards are BACK in 2025...but with a twist.
Building on the success of the 2024 edition, the Houston Sports Awards will once again honor the best and brightest of the Houston sports scene, both on and off the field. However, instead of awards being handed out in one night, the 2025 Houston Sports Awards will be announced over a week in January, and the winners will receive their awards in person for the first time!
Between January 13-17, 2025, winners will be announced in 7 different categories:
Monday, January 13 - Female HS Athlete of the Year, Male HS Athlete of the Year, High School Coach of the Year.
Tuesday, January 14 - Moment of the Year
Wednesday, January 15 - Community Impact Award
Thursday, January 16 - Athlete of the Year
Friday, January 17 - Inspiration Award
All nominees will be announced online on November 12, 2024. After the announcement, voting for each award will be open to Houston-area media members until December 12.
Fans will be allowed to vote in each of the high school categories. The winner of each fan vote will receive one additional vote in the general tally.
All award winners will be announced on the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority social media channels and on KRIV FOX 26.
*an independent selection committee chose High School nominees
*Athlete of the Year, Moment of the Year, Community Impact & Inspiration Award nominees were chosen by an independent selection committee
In 2024, the Houston Dash had three of their players return to the field of play after giving birth. Ryan Gareis, Kaie Lind & Allysha Chapman prove that family and sports can truly coexist through their determination to inspire both teammates and fans.
A longtime football coach, Greg Jones has now devoted much of his time to coaching athletes with disabilities at George Ranch High School. His connection with a former student has led to years of inspirational work with those looking for a chance to succeed on the field.
A former college QB, Damon West turned to drugs after school and wound up being sentenced to prison for his crimes. Now, he's turned his life around, delivering his "Be A Coffee Bean" message as a motivational speaker to football programs, companies and prisoners hoping to inspire them to live their best life.
As Executive Director of the East Region for Special Olympics Texas, AJ dedicates her work to ensuring that those with physical and intellectual disabilities experience not only the joys of sports on the field but also connection with the community off of it.
Located on the city's East End, this boxing gym and after-school program for young men and women ensures its participants not only stay fit but also have a purpose beyond the everyday struggles they may face outside the ring.
The Houston Texans special teams coach has a passion for helping those less fortunate. This year, he hosted "Coaches Cut," an event designed to help the homeless with a day dedicated to their well-being, including haircuts, meals, dental work, and showers.
Seven Lakes graduate Justice Carlton was a McDonald's All-American, and the 12th ranked player in the nation during her time in high school. She was the Texas Offensive Player of the Year and holds 7 school records. She is currently enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin where she hopes to get a nursing degree.
Bridgeland graduate Lillian Harden won gold in the UIL track and field Class 6A 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.52 seconds. Lilly also competed in multiple national races as she builds her resume for a possible Olympic run. She currently attends the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
The Woodlands senior Riley Rayome is the captain of her wrestling team and a 2-time defensing state champion. She ranks in the Top 10 in the country in her weight class and looks to capture a 3rd state title in 2025.
Foster graduate Ella McDowell finished her high school career as one of the best softball players in the country. Ranked #3 nationally, McDowell hit .709 during her senior year while driving in 58 runs and crushing 18 home runs. Ella currently attends the University of Arkansas.
The Cinco Ranch High School senior led the Cougars to the state championship match in 2023. Ranked as one of the top players in the country, Kassie was named Setter of the Year by the GHVCA for the Houston area. She has committed to play the University of Kentucky next year after she graduates.
The Tomball High School graduate helped guide the Cougars to a state championship in 2024 by hitting .430 and 12 home runs as a senior. He was named the 2024 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and also ranked as the #1 high school catcher by MLB.com in it's 2024 Draft Rankings.
The Booker T. Washington High School graduate led the Eagles to multiple deep playoff runs in and a state championship appearance in 2023. The Guy V. Lewis Award winner averaged 20 ppg and 18 rpg during his senior year and graduated second in his class.
The Seven Lakes High School graduate helped guide the Spartans to back-to-back state championships during his junior and senior years. Aidan was team captain and now plays at Liberty University in Virginia.
The Atascocita High School graduate helped the Eagles track and field team win a state title in 2024. He won gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters and served as the anchor for the 4x100 team that recorded the fastest time ever posted of any U.S. high school.
The Galveston Ball High School senior is the #1 ranked linebacker in the country and #3 overall prospect. During his junior year, WIlliams collected 117 tackles and 5 interceptions. He also excels in baseball, basketball and track & field and has committed to play multiple sports at the University of Texas.
In addition to helping multiple individuals win state titles, Ervin helped guide the Atascocita HS track & field team to the team state championship in his first season with the program. The 4x100 meter relay set the national record and won gold with a time of 38.92.
The Hitchcock, TX native has turned his alma mater into one of the top basketball programs in the state, winning back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024.
The longtime head baseball coach at Tomball High School guided his Cougar squad to a 6A state championship in 2024. The team compiled a 41-3 record and finished the season winning 31 straight games, not losing a series the whole year.
In her first year at Kingwood, the former Olympic gold medalist coached the Mustangs softball team to the state tournament in 2024. The historic playoff run and season included a victory over #1 nationally ranked Katy and a perfect 14-0 district record.
Coaching at the school that he played at, Gaston is continuing the winning tradition of North Shore football as the Mustangs are ranked in the Top 10 in the country a year after playing in yet another state championship game.
Houston Texans Co-Founder and Senior Chair Janice McNair is the recipient of the 2025 Houston Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.
For 60 years, Mrs. McNair has dedicated her life to giving back to the community she and her husband love. She and her late husband, Bob, made education and medical research the cornerstones of their charitable giving. To date, Bob and Janice have contributed more than half a billion dollars to charities through their various philanthropic organizations, such as The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the Houston Texans Foundation, and The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation.
The Houston Texans Foundation was founded in 2002, and since its inception, close to $48 million has been raised. Janice has been a staple at Texans games and practices, and she is one of 10 women to have been the principal owner of an NFL franchise.
The Houston Sports Awards would like to thank a pillar of our community, Mrs. McNair, for her lifetime of giving and congratulate her on this prestigious recognition.