AUSTIN, Texas — Last week, St. Edward's University Athletics united campus and community through a weeklong celebration of Hilltopper basketball, highlighted by Battle of the Saints, Residence Hall Night, the first-ever Challenge of the Deans, and Senior Day.

Residence halls packed the Recreation and Athletic Center on Monday night, creating a charged atmosphere as both the women's and men's Hilltopper teams secured dramatic victories over I-35 rival St. Mary's in games decided on the final possession. The energy inside the RAC was fueled by St. André Apartments, which earned top honors in the Pack the RAC Challenge by bringing the largest contingent of residents to support the Hilltoppers.

Thursday's inaugural Challenge of the Deans showcased spirited competition among the School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the School of Natural Sciences, the Bill Munday School of Business, and the new School of Health Sciences. 

The Bill Munday School of Business captured the first Challenge of the Deans Free Throw Championship, as Dean Alexis Stokes and student representative Kristy Nyagaka surged ahead in the closing seconds behind Nyagaka's clutch free throws to defeat Dean Mity Myhr and Ale Barreto of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences in the finals.

The School of Behavioral and Social Sciences claimed the Spirit Challenge by having the highest attendance amongst the schools.

Faculty, staff, students, and community members filled the RAC alongside the St. Edward's cheer team and the Topperettes dance team. The night was also the Hilltop debut of World Gone Mad, Austin's premier community brass band, whose presence elevated the environment and energized the Hilltopper faithful. Together the energized crowd, one of the loudest in recent Hilltoppers memory, cheered the men's team to a thrilling overtime victory over Angelo State.

The busy week concluded Saturday with Senior Day, honoring a class defined by leadership, record-setting achievement, and all-conference success. Family, friends, and supporters traveled long distances—including Australia—to celebrate MIKAH CHAPMAN, JASMINE FARMER, KIANA BENNETT, JASMYN JACKSON, Sara Olson, MASON COURTNEY, JAMISON KAY, BLAKE NIELSEN, and Frank Rainville.

St. Edward's Athletics extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make the week successful, including Valerie Martin and Residence Life, the resident advisors, cheerleaders and Topperettes, and World Gone Mad band members. A special shout out to university leaders Dean Sharon Nell, Dean Jonathan Hodge, Dean Alexis Stokes, Dean Donna Beuk, and Dean Mity Myhr, along with Challenge of the Deans guest referees President Montserrat Fuentes, Provost Marianne Ward-Peradoza, and Vice President for Student Affairs Lisa Kirkpatrick.

Through the collective efforts of students, faculty, staff, and the broader Hilltopper community, the fun week of basketball was defined by unity, spirit, and unmistakable energy on the Hilltop.