University of Georgia Athletics
Alon Rogow and Shea Furse Nominated for SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year
April 13, 2026 | General, Track & Field, Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Georgia track and field athlete Alon Rogow and swimmer Shea Furse were nominated for the 2025-26 Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as announced by the league office Monday.
The winners of the men's and women's awards, selected by the SEC Faculty Athletic Representatives, will be announced in late April. The winners will receive $20,000 postgraduate scholarships, continuing a tradition dating back to 1986. The remaining male and female finalists will receive a $10,000 scholarship.
The Georgia women's swimming and diving program has previously produced nine Boyd McWhorter Award winners, the most of any single SEC athletic program. In recent years, Callie Dickinson (2023) and Abby McCulloh (2025) were honored with the award. Rogow is the second Georgia men's track athlete nominated in the past three years, joining distance runner Wesley John in 2024.
Overall, the University of Georgia has produced 12 recipients, the most of any SEC institution.
Alon Rogow, Track & Field
Major: Master's – Sport Management and Policy
Shea Furse, Swimming & Diving
Major: Finance
University of Georgia H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year Recipients
1986 – Virginia Diederich (women's swimming and diving)
1988 – Linda Leith (women's swimming and diving)
1989 – Deanne Burnett (women's swimming and diving)
1991 – Al Parker (men's tennis)
1997 – Andy DeVooght (men's swimming and diving)
2000 – Joey Pitts (men's tennis)
2001 – Kim Black (women's swimming and diving)
2012 – Wendy Trott (women's swimming and diving)
2014 – Shannon Vreeland (women's swimming and diving)
2015 – Maddie Locus (women's swimming and diving)
2023 – Callie Dickinson (women's swimming and diving)
2025 – Abby McCulloh (women's swimming and diving)
The winners of the men's and women's awards, selected by the SEC Faculty Athletic Representatives, will be announced in late April. The winners will receive $20,000 postgraduate scholarships, continuing a tradition dating back to 1986. The remaining male and female finalists will receive a $10,000 scholarship.
The Georgia women's swimming and diving program has previously produced nine Boyd McWhorter Award winners, the most of any single SEC athletic program. In recent years, Callie Dickinson (2023) and Abby McCulloh (2025) were honored with the award. Rogow is the second Georgia men's track athlete nominated in the past three years, joining distance runner Wesley John in 2024.
Overall, the University of Georgia has produced 12 recipients, the most of any SEC institution.
Alon Rogow, Track & Field
Major: Master's – Sport Management and Policy
- Graduated with bachelor's degree in Sport Management in December 2025.
- 2025-26 Joel Eaves Scholar Athlete Award for being the UGA male student-athlete with the highest GPA upon entering the fall semester of his senior year.
- President of Run Your City Athens Chapter, which offers children from a range of different backgrounds an opportunity to improve themselves with healthy habits.
- Part of the UGA Student Affairs Student Advisory Board and the Athletic Association's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
- Finished fifth in the pole vault at the 2025 SEC Indoor Championships.
- Ranked No. 6 on the school's all-time top 10 list in the indoor pole vault after twice clearing 5.30 meters/17 feet, 4 1/2 inches.
- Advanced to the 2025 NCAA East Prelims during his third year lettering for the Bulldogs.
Shea Furse, Swimming & Diving
Major: Finance
- Scheduled to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Finance this spring.
- Three-time CSC Academic All-District Team honoree.
- Two-time CSCAA Scholar All-America Team honoree.
- Served as team representative to UGA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years.
- Four-year letterwinner on women's swimming and diving team as member of freestyle group.
- Earned three CSCAA All-America Team citations in 800-yard freestyle relay, including First Team honors in 2024.
- Competed at three NCAA Championships, including twice as an individual.
- 2026 SEC Silver Medalist and 2024 SEC Bronze Medalist in 800-yard freestyle relay.
- Reached 2024 200-yard freestyle championship final at SEC Championships; scored in eight individual events at SECs.
- Competed in 200-meter freestyle and 32nd in 400-meter freestyle at 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.
University of Georgia H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year Recipients
1986 – Virginia Diederich (women's swimming and diving)
1988 – Linda Leith (women's swimming and diving)
1989 – Deanne Burnett (women's swimming and diving)
1991 – Al Parker (men's tennis)
1997 – Andy DeVooght (men's swimming and diving)
2000 – Joey Pitts (men's tennis)
2001 – Kim Black (women's swimming and diving)
2012 – Wendy Trott (women's swimming and diving)
2014 – Shannon Vreeland (women's swimming and diving)
2015 – Maddie Locus (women's swimming and diving)
2023 – Callie Dickinson (women's swimming and diving)
2025 – Abby McCulloh (women's swimming and diving)
Players Mentioned
Fly / Back / IM
/ Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Swimming & Diving
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