University Awards
Congratulations 2025 honorees!
BYU recognizes alumni and other individuals for contributions to their field, communities, and the university.
See past University Awardees here.
Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines
BA ’82 Mass Communications, Auburn University
Honorary Alumni Award
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines almost had his swimming career cut short when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening neurological disorder at age thirty-one. But after a miraculous recovery from temporary paralysis, he became the oldest swimmer to qualify for the 1996 Olympic Trials at thirty-five. Now known as the voice of swimming, Gaines is a regular NBC, CBS, TNT, and ESPN commentator, as well as a motivational speaker. He works with many charitable organizations, including Swim Across America and Special Olympics.
The Florida native’s swimming journey began much earlier, at age seventeen. Gaines earned a swimming scholarship to Auburn University, eventually leading him to break a total of fourteen world records and make the US Olympic team in 1984, where he won three gold medals. He has been inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame and International Swimming Hall of Fame. Today, he is Vice President of Partnerships and Development for the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. Gaines and his wife Judy have four children and five grandchildren.
Andy Reid
BS ’82 Physical Education and MS ’83 Physical Education
Distinguished Alumni Award
Entering his 13th year at the helm of the Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Reid is one of the most decorated coaches in NFL history. This Los Angeles native’s collegiate football career began at Brigham Young University, where he played tackle and guard; he also coached under LaVell Edwards as a graduate student. Before entering the NFL, Reid coached for San Francisco State, Northern Arizona, University of Texas El Paso, and the University of Missouri.
Reid’s time in the NFL began with the Green Bay Packers, where he coached for seven years before being hired as head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. He coached for the Eagles from 1999–2012 and was named NFL Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club, The Sporting News, and Football Digest. In 2013 he joined the Kansas City Chiefs as head coach. In his first year, he was named the 2013 AFC Coach of the Year by the 101 Committee after recording the greatest single-season turnaround in franchise history. He later went on to lead the team to the Super Bowl four times in five seasons (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023) and win three championships, including back-to-back titles.
Stephen “Riz” & Marilyn Rizley
BA ’92 Advertising, (MBA ’93, Thunderbird)
BA ’77 General Studies
Distinguished Alumni Award
Throughout their lives, Brigham Young University has been a recurring theme for Riz and Marilyn Rizley. It's where they met in 1976, leading them to marry in the Manti Temple seven months later and raise four future BYU graduates in Scottsdale, Arizona. Now, they’ve returned to BYU as chairs for the Jesse and Amanda Knight Society and the BYU Broadcasting Leadership Council.
The greater theme of the Rizley’s lives is church and community service. Marilyn is a founding member of the Arizona Tiffany Circle of the American Red Cross. Stephen is a past board chairman of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter. He also served on boards for the Mormon History Association and Banner Health. Marilyn was president of their cattle ranch in Gila Valley. In 2015, the Rizley’s were called to preside over the Ukraine L’viv Mission, and in 2020, they were called as leaders of Nauvoo Historic Sites.
Becky Rogers
BA ’92 Music
Distinguished Alumni Award
When wife and mother of ten Becky Rogers was prompted to get involved with humanitarian work in Africa, following her heart seemed a near-impossible task. Yet in 2014 she founded Families Mentoring Families, an organization dedicated to strengthening families and education in communities where opportunity is lacking. Families Mentoring Families currently runs more than 300 family literacy centers in Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, and Uganda, and provides repatriation and aftercare for survivors of human trafficking in five countries. Literacy centers are available to communities at no charge, staffed by local volunteers, and serve over 21,500 adults and children. They strive to build strong family foundations through six key branches of education: Family Skills, Literacy, Academics, Vocation, Agriculture, and Leadership.
Inspired after a period of depression and burnout, Rogers also founded a personal development company, LIFEstory Transformation. These passions, with the support of her husband, Tom—and sacrifices made by family and friends—have been essential to continuing the crucial work of blessing families through education and healthy living.
