University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana's Amedee Named Tony Gwynn Award Winner
6/12/2026 10:50:00 AM | Baseball
Senior captain earns second-annual award for community service, excellence in classroom and integrity on the field
OMAHA, Neb. – Louisiana's Lee Amedee was named on Friday as the national winner of the second annual Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy, honoring NCAA baseball student-athletes who exemplify the Gwynn legacy.
Amedee, a four-year letterwinner for Louisiana, was selected from a group of nine finalists, in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members. Amedee, the second player from a Louisiana school to earn the national award in its two-year history, was presented with the award during a press conference prior to the start of the 2026 College World Series.
The Gwynn Trophy, conceptualized for the 2025 season, is intended to honor collegiate baseball student-athletes who are active in their community and represent their programs with integrity, while exceling in the classroom and on the field.
"It means the world to me to receive the Tony Gwynn Community Award," Amedee said. "I'm honored to represent the University of Louisiana and the Ragin' Cajuns Baseball program with this award. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and family for making me the man I am today."
Amedee, a Gonzales native and former St. Amant High product, graduated from UL this past spring with a 3.13 GPA in business management major and is a two-time member of the Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll. He joined catcher Jose Torres – a 2025 finalist – as UL athletes on the final "Starting Nine" in the two-year history of the award.
Amedee has played in all 66 games with 65 starts during the 2026 season, batting .300 with 47 runs, 12 doubles, four triples, seven homers and a team-high 54 RBI. Amedee earned postseason honors when he was named to the 2026 Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament team and the 2024 NCAA College Station Regional All-Tournament Team.
Over the past four years, Amedee has logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours throughout the Acadiana community, serving in a wide range of outreach and service projects. He has volunteered as a coach with Lafayette Little League for four consecutive years and has worked with both Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church and Bayou Church on cleanup efforts and community service initiatives. Amedee has also spent four years visiting cancer patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Hospital, including delivering Halloween snacks to children receiving treatment.
"Lee Amedee embodies everything the Tony Gwynn Community Award represents – selfless service, leadership and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others," Louisiana head coach Matt Deggs said. "This honor is a testament not only to the impact he has made on the baseball field, but to the countless hours he has dedicated to serving the Lafayette community and representing both the University of Louisiana and Ragin' Cajuns Baseball with integrity, humility and compassion. We couldn't be more proud of Lee and the example he sets for everyone around him."
Amedee's community involvement has included volunteering at local fire stations, washing fire trucks and assisting with setup for the Broussard Community Fair benefiting St. Cecilia Catholic School. He has participated in the Tony Robichaux Prayer Breakfast fundraiser supporting construction efforts at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church and has spent time reading and interacting with first-grade students at St. Cecilia. He also volunteered for four years at Lafayette's Downtown Alive events and has assisted new students during move-in day on the Louisiana campus each of the past four years.
In addition, Amedee has volunteered at youth baseball and special-needs clinics at Youngsville Sports Complex, helped organize clinics for underserved children in Church Point and participated in a 5K fundraiser raising awareness for Usher syndrome. His service work also includes assisting with exhibit relocation at the UL Dinosaur Museum, helping decorate Hospice of Acadiana for Christmas and participating in annual stadium cleanup projects, including pressure washing the baseball stadium. For the past two years, he has regularly attended youth soccer, softball and baseball events across the region in support of local athletes and families.
Gwynn was nationally recognized throughout his life for his unyielding commitment to philanthropy. He and his wife, Alicia, established the Tony Gwynn Foundation to help fund charities supporting children in need, including supporting the Casa de Amparo Child Abuse Shelter, the Neighborhood House, YMCA and the Police Athletic League. In 1995, Tony earned the Branch Rickey Award as the top community activist in MLB and in 1999 he was named the Roberto Clemente Man of the year. He was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame and won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, presented to the MLB player who best exemplified the character and leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman.
The Gwynn family has maintained Tony's commitment to the community, including coordinating the Tony Gwynn Community All-Star Program, which recognizes local youth who support the San Diego community.
Gwynn was a 15-time MLB All-Star, won eight batting titles – the most in National League history – and finished his decorated 20-year career with a .338 batting average. He played his entire career with the San Diego Padres, after playing collegiately at San Diego State, where he also played basketball. A 2007 Hall of Fame inductee, Gwynn saw the SDSU baseball facility named in his honor, Tony Gwynn Stadium, and served as the head coach of the Aztecs, from 2003-14, winning three Mountain West Conference Championships and earning 2014 MWC Coach of the Year honors. The Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament, held each February at Gwynn Stadium and featuring some of the top teams in the nation, has quickly become one of the best nonconference, early-season tournaments in the college baseball calendar.
Gwynn passed away in 2014 after a long bout with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Alicia, son Tony Jr., and daughter, Anisha Nicole. His brother Chris attended SDSU and played for the Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals. Tony Jr. also played collegiately at SDSU, earning all-league honors in 2003 before the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in the second round. He played eight seasons in MLB, including time with the Brewers, Padres, Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest updates on Ragin' Cajuns baseball, follow on Facebook (RaginCajunsBaseball), Twitter (@RaginCajunsBSB) and Instagram (@RaginCajunsBSB) or check RaginCajuns.com.
Amedee, a four-year letterwinner for Louisiana, was selected from a group of nine finalists, in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members. Amedee, the second player from a Louisiana school to earn the national award in its two-year history, was presented with the award during a press conference prior to the start of the 2026 College World Series.
The Gwynn Trophy, conceptualized for the 2025 season, is intended to honor collegiate baseball student-athletes who are active in their community and represent their programs with integrity, while exceling in the classroom and on the field.
"It means the world to me to receive the Tony Gwynn Community Award," Amedee said. "I'm honored to represent the University of Louisiana and the Ragin' Cajuns Baseball program with this award. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and family for making me the man I am today."
Amedee, a Gonzales native and former St. Amant High product, graduated from UL this past spring with a 3.13 GPA in business management major and is a two-time member of the Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll. He joined catcher Jose Torres – a 2025 finalist – as UL athletes on the final "Starting Nine" in the two-year history of the award.
Amedee has played in all 66 games with 65 starts during the 2026 season, batting .300 with 47 runs, 12 doubles, four triples, seven homers and a team-high 54 RBI. Amedee earned postseason honors when he was named to the 2026 Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament team and the 2024 NCAA College Station Regional All-Tournament Team.
Over the past four years, Amedee has logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours throughout the Acadiana community, serving in a wide range of outreach and service projects. He has volunteered as a coach with Lafayette Little League for four consecutive years and has worked with both Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church and Bayou Church on cleanup efforts and community service initiatives. Amedee has also spent four years visiting cancer patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Hospital, including delivering Halloween snacks to children receiving treatment.
"Lee Amedee embodies everything the Tony Gwynn Community Award represents – selfless service, leadership and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others," Louisiana head coach Matt Deggs said. "This honor is a testament not only to the impact he has made on the baseball field, but to the countless hours he has dedicated to serving the Lafayette community and representing both the University of Louisiana and Ragin' Cajuns Baseball with integrity, humility and compassion. We couldn't be more proud of Lee and the example he sets for everyone around him."
Amedee's community involvement has included volunteering at local fire stations, washing fire trucks and assisting with setup for the Broussard Community Fair benefiting St. Cecilia Catholic School. He has participated in the Tony Robichaux Prayer Breakfast fundraiser supporting construction efforts at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church and has spent time reading and interacting with first-grade students at St. Cecilia. He also volunteered for four years at Lafayette's Downtown Alive events and has assisted new students during move-in day on the Louisiana campus each of the past four years.
In addition, Amedee has volunteered at youth baseball and special-needs clinics at Youngsville Sports Complex, helped organize clinics for underserved children in Church Point and participated in a 5K fundraiser raising awareness for Usher syndrome. His service work also includes assisting with exhibit relocation at the UL Dinosaur Museum, helping decorate Hospice of Acadiana for Christmas and participating in annual stadium cleanup projects, including pressure washing the baseball stadium. For the past two years, he has regularly attended youth soccer, softball and baseball events across the region in support of local athletes and families.
Gwynn was nationally recognized throughout his life for his unyielding commitment to philanthropy. He and his wife, Alicia, established the Tony Gwynn Foundation to help fund charities supporting children in need, including supporting the Casa de Amparo Child Abuse Shelter, the Neighborhood House, YMCA and the Police Athletic League. In 1995, Tony earned the Branch Rickey Award as the top community activist in MLB and in 1999 he was named the Roberto Clemente Man of the year. He was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame and won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, presented to the MLB player who best exemplified the character and leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman.
The Gwynn family has maintained Tony's commitment to the community, including coordinating the Tony Gwynn Community All-Star Program, which recognizes local youth who support the San Diego community.
Gwynn was a 15-time MLB All-Star, won eight batting titles – the most in National League history – and finished his decorated 20-year career with a .338 batting average. He played his entire career with the San Diego Padres, after playing collegiately at San Diego State, where he also played basketball. A 2007 Hall of Fame inductee, Gwynn saw the SDSU baseball facility named in his honor, Tony Gwynn Stadium, and served as the head coach of the Aztecs, from 2003-14, winning three Mountain West Conference Championships and earning 2014 MWC Coach of the Year honors. The Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament, held each February at Gwynn Stadium and featuring some of the top teams in the nation, has quickly become one of the best nonconference, early-season tournaments in the college baseball calendar.
Gwynn passed away in 2014 after a long bout with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Alicia, son Tony Jr., and daughter, Anisha Nicole. His brother Chris attended SDSU and played for the Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals. Tony Jr. also played collegiately at SDSU, earning all-league honors in 2003 before the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in the second round. He played eight seasons in MLB, including time with the Brewers, Padres, Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest updates on Ragin' Cajuns baseball, follow on Facebook (RaginCajunsBaseball), Twitter (@RaginCajunsBSB) and Instagram (@RaginCajunsBSB) or check RaginCajuns.com.
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