Jones, Tschetter Named U-M's Recipients of Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award
7/9/2026 12:00:00 PM | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Tennis
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's tennis senior Lily Jones and men's basketball graduate student Will Tschetter were named U-M's Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2025-26 academic year by the Big Ten Conference on Thursday (July 9).
Jones was the women's tennis program's Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree in each of her four seasons in the maize and blue. An exemplary example of sportsmanship in a sport where athletes call their own lines, Jones left an indelible mark on the women's tennis program.
A mainstay in the lineup since she stepped on campus, Jones earned All-America honors this past season in singles after reaching the round of 16 in the NCAA Singles Championship. She won 117 singles matches during her four seasons, the fourth-most in program history. She led the Wolverines with 33 singles wins as a senior, going 33-10 on the year.
Jones was part of four Big Ten championship teams and helped U-M to three Big Ten Tournament titles during her career. She was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament and was named the ITA Midwest Senior Player of the Year. She concluded the season ranked No. 19 in singles, the highest season-ending ranking of her career.
She graduated from Michigan with a degree in communications and media, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors three times.
A four-year contributor and team leader, Tschetter helped Michigan to one of the greatest seasons in school history as the Wolverines posted a program-record 37-3 mark, won the Big Ten regular-season title and captured the program's first national championship in 37 years.
Tschetter's impact extended well beyond the box score. His work ethic, team-first mentality and steady presence helped define Michigan's culture, and his selection as Michigan's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree reflects the respect he earned from the entire men's basketball program.
Off the court, the Stewartville, Minn., native completed his bachelor's degree in earth and environmental sciences in 2024 and earned his master's degree in ecosystem science and management in 2026. He was also a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, adding College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors in 2023.
During his final season, Tschetter appeared in all 40 games with one start and continued to embrace whatever role was needed for a championship team. One of seven Wolverines to play in every game, he provided valuable minutes, toughness and veteran leadership while helping guide the Wolverines to a historic season.
2025-26 Michigan Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Winners
Baseball: Joonsung Park
Men's Basketball: Will Tschetter
Women's Basketball: Alyssa Crockett
Men's Cross Country: Kyler McNatt
Women's Cross Country: Natalie VanOtteren
Field Hockey: Emmy Tran
Football: Cole Sullivan
Men's Golf: Nilay Naik
Women's Golf: Mara Janess
Men's Gymnastics: Zach Granados
Women's Gymnastics: Quincy Walters
Ice Hockey: Josh Eernisse
Men's Lacrosse: Jack Welcsh
Women's Lacrosse: Claire Nelson
Rowing: Maddy Matos
Men's Soccer: Nicholas Cassiday
Women's Soccer: Gabrielle Prych
Softball: Madi Ramey
Men's Swimming and Diving: Ryan Hume
Women's Swimming and Diving: Anna Boemer
Men's Tennis: Mert Oral
Women's Tennis: Lily Jones
Men's Indoor Track and Field: Miles Brown
Women's Indoor Track and Field: Amare Harlan
Men's Outdoor Track and Field: Jake Wall
Women's Outdoor Track and Field: Hannah Pricco
Volleyball: Sydney Schnichels
Water Polo: Maddy Scarth
Wrestling: Taye Ghadiali
