Nominees Announced for the Inaugural Austin Sports Awards 2025

Austin’s sports community is preparing for a landmark moment with the launch of the First Annual Austin Sports Awards (ASA), an event designed to celebrate the athletes, executives, venues, innovators, and cultural contributors shaping the future of sports in Austin and Central Texas. The organization announced its full list of 2025 nominees today, highlighting standout achievements from high school competitors to world-class professionals.

Founded by Fran Harris, lifetime Longhorn, NCAA and WNBA Champion, entrepreneur, and sports visionary, the Austin Sports Awards aims to elevate local recognition for a city whose athletic influence continues to grow. Harris will co-host the ceremony alongside WWE Hall of Famer and Olympian Mark Henry, bringing together two powerhouse personalities to honor Austin’s sports excellence.

WNBA legend, Fran Harris, and World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry, will host the inaugural Austin Sports Awards.

The inaugural ASA luncheon will take place Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the Junior League of Austin, where all nominees are invited to attend and winners will be announced live. Fans, athletes, and media members can cast their votes now through Friday, November 24, 2025, and purchase tickets at AustinSportsAwards.com. Attire is set as business casual with plenty of room for spirited, fan-inspired flair.

Honoring the Athletes and Leaders Defining Austin Sports Culture

The Austin Sports Awards will highlight more than 20 categories that reflect the breadth of Austin’s sports landscape—from rising collegiate stars and beloved local venues to sports-tech innovators and viral moments that captured global attention. Categories include Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Best Sports Bar, Best Sports Company, Best Social Media, Best Sports Medicine Provider, and more.

Headlining the Athlete of the Year category are some of the region’s most talked-about names:

Madisen Skinner, LOVB Austin volleyball standout and former Texas Longhorn
Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1 golfer and proud Austin resident
Teagan Kavan, Texas Softball freshman phenom and NCAA champion
Grace Rabb, state-record-breaking Dripping Springs swimmer
Leo Neugebauer, UT decathlete who shattered NCAA and national records
Madison Booker, Texas Women’s Basketball breakout star and All-Big 12 performer

Madison Booker, Athlete of the Year nominee

These nominees reflect the athletic dominance that has put Austin on the national map, especially as UT teams continue to deliver championship-level performances and local pro franchises grow in visibility and influence.

A New Era for Austin Sports Recognition

Fran Harris believes the time has come to spotlight Austin’s dynamic sports community. “I developed a new appreciation for Austin’s vibrant sports scene during my WNBA expansion team bid efforts,” she said. Harris, who partnered with Kevin Durant, Marc Lasry, and Jenny Just in the city’s expansion proposal, notes that while the WNBA ultimately selected existing NBA markets, Austin’s enthusiasm and potential were undeniable.

“The ASAs are only one of the new projects we’re launching over the next year as Austin’s sports appetite and leadership continue to grow,” Harris added. Her vision is to create an ecosystem that amplifies athletes, empowers fans, and strengthens Austin’s positioning as a national sports capital.

The nominees reflect that mission. Categories like Best Girls/Women’s Sports Moment, Best Place to Watch Women’s Sports, and Executive of the Year underscore the city’s growing commitment to elevating women’s athletics and leadership. Meanwhile, categories such as Best Sports Company, Best Sports Investor, and Best Sports Consumer Product Made in Austin highlight the business and innovation side of the region’s sports industry.

Lavaca Street Bar is nominated for Best Sports Bar.

Local favorites also make an appearance, from Cover 3 and Lavaca Street Bar in the Best Sports Bar category to iconic retailers like University Co-op and Academy Sports in the Best Place to Score Longhorn Gear category. The awards program even extends to the city’s longstanding media voices, including top nominees in Best Sports Talk Radio Show and Best Local Sports TV Channel.

Celebrating Legacy and Impact

In addition to the competitive categories, the Austin Sports Awards will honor 2–4 sports luminaries whose contributions fundamentally shaped Austin’s sports history. Those honorees will be announced after Thanksgiving.

The event also pays tribute to Harris’s own remarkable legacy. Beyond her NCAA and WNBA championship careers, Harris is the founder of EXALT, a developmental women’s basketball league launching in Austin in 2026. She is also co-owner of The Athletic Club, a rapidly expanding network of sports complexes across Texas, and a former “Shark Tank” entrepreneur whose wellness brand ELECTRA gained national attention.

On November 21, Harris will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Texas Exes, UT’s highest alumni honor, joining past recipients such as Matthew McConaughey, Laura Bush, Gay Gaddis, and Michael Dell.

A Celebration for the Entire Austin Sports Community

With categories spanning high school, collegiate, professional, recreational, and cultural impact, the Austin Sports Awards 2025 promises to become one of the city’s signature annual celebrations. It’s designed not only to recognize greatness but also to strengthen the connections that make Austin’s sports community unique.

Public voting is now open, and anticipation is building for December’s ceremony. Whether you’re a UT loyalist, an Austin FC supporter, a high school sports follower, or a fan of the city’s fast-growing pro and semi-pro scene, the ASAs offer something for every Austin sports enthusiast.

Learn more, cast your vote, and get tickets at AustinSportsAwards.com.