Grand Rapids, Mich. — Some nights are about wins. Some nights are about banners. And some nights are about something even bigger — celebrating the people, personalities, moments, and memories that made an entire year of Aquinas Athletics unforgettable.
That is exactly what The Nelly's has quickly become.
Now entering just its second year, what started as a bold new idea is already becoming a true cornerstone event on the AQ Athletics calendar, bringing together student-athletes, coaches, athletic staff, administrators, and the entire Aquinas community for one unforgettable night on Coach Bo Court inside the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center.
Mark Your Calendar
The Nelly's 2026 will take place on Monday, April 27, with a social gathering featuring drinks and light hors d'oeuvres beginning at 6:30 p.m. The awards presentation will follow from 7:00–9:00 p.m., as Aquinas honors the achievements, personalities, stories, and successes that defined the 2025-26 athletic year.
Returning as master of ceremonies is Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Damon Bouwkamp, who emceed the inaugural celebration and now returns with an even deeper appreciation for what the event can become.
"The first Nelly's showed us just how much this means to our department," Bouwkamp said. "Now that we've lived the process once, we understand how to make it even more meaningful. This is becoming one of those nights our student-athletes, coaches, and staff will circle on the calendar every year."
Nominate Now, Vote Next Week
For the next eight days, the AQ community has the chance to help shape the night.
Nominations for The Nelly's 2026 are officially open now through Wednesday, April 8 at 9:00 a.m., giving student-athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters the opportunity to recognize the performances, comeback stories, unforgettable moments, service, spirit, and personalities that defined the year.
Once nominations close, the top finalists in each category will move to an official community voting ballot next week, giving the Saints family another opportunity to help decide who will hear their name called and take home a coveted Nelly on awards night.
Celebrating the People Behind the Stories
That same excitement is shared by Assistant AD and Director of Athletic Communications Joey Sutherlin, who believes the event captures the very best of Aquinas.
"This is one of my favorite parts of the entire job," Sutherlin said. "We spend so much time telling the stories of competition, but The Nelly's gives us a chance to celebrate the people behind those stories — our school, our department, our coaches, and most importantly the student-athletes who make all the long hours, hard work, and sacrifices so incredibly rewarding."
The awards span the full Aquinas Athletics experience, from best performances and comeback players to The AQ Way to Play Award, which honors the NAIA Champions of Character pillars and the culture that defines AQ Athletics.
This is your chance to help tell the story of the year.
Click here to nominate for 'The Nelly's'
Nominate now. Vote next week.
Then join the Saints family on April 27 as AQ celebrates the people and moments that made this year unforgettable.
Because some traditions don't take long to feel like they've always belonged.
