AUBURN, Ala. – Women's tennis senior standout Taylor Russo and sophomore swimming and diving star Conner Pruitt received the 2020 Athletic Director's Spirit of Auburn awards Friday to conclude the 10th annual AUSPY Awards.
The AD Spirit of Auburn Award is presented each year to male and female student-athletes who inspire others, give unselfishly of their time and talents to better their teams, and epitomize the values in the Auburn Creed.
"To even be nominated for it is an honor in itself," said Russo, from Deerfield Beach, Florida. "It reassures me that I've honestly done my part and I've been trying to give back and I've tried to really embrace what Auburn is about.
"It's really about honoring the Auburn Creed and knowing that you have been part of the Auburn family. It's not just about being an athlete, it's about contributing in school and your community, and encouraging others whether it's on court, in the classroom, or wherever you can to help."
"I'm honored," said Pruitt, who graduated from nearby Opelika High School. "It's pretty awesome, especially being from Auburn, growing up an Auburn fan."
Pruitt, a two-time NCAA qualifier in diving, began working with Auburn diving coach Jeff Shaffer in middle school, further fueling his desire to compete for his hometown school.
"Before I even dove I knew wanted to come to Auburn," Pruitt said. "I knew that I wanted to continue to Auburn, pretty much since I was born. I went home in a No. 34 jersey from the hospital."
Now, like Bo Jackson, Conner Pruitt is an Auburn student-athlete.
"It's so awesome," Pruitt said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's nice to be able to see how much Auburn changes every year that every class comes in, but at the same time it's awesome to see how at the same time nothing really changes. Everybody comes in and they leave an Auburn fan."
Already a team captain in only his second season, Pruitt seeks to lead by his words and deeds.
"It always comes down to hard work pays off," he said. "Try to be a good example. Coach Taylor says all the time, do what I say, but more importantly, do what I do. That resonated a lot with me this year."
An exercise science major with a business minor, Pruitt plans to attend pharmacy school. Even though the coronavirus pandemic ended his sophomore season before his opportunity to compete at NCAAs or Olympic Trials, Pruitt earned All-America honors and will have two more seasons to dive for his lifelong favorite team.
"How grateful I am to go to Auburn and all of the opportunities the coaches have provided for me," he said. "Met more people than I probably expected to have met. It's been fantastic. God's put me in a place where I can glorify Him, so I'm going to do it."
Russo, a two-time selection to the SEC Community Service Team, graduates in May in journalism from Auburn University's College of Liberal Arts. She's served in leadership roles on Auburn's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and ranks in Auburn's top 10 all-time in singles and doubles wins.
"It really takes a commitment to be involved and really be engaged and try to help out in any way you can," Russo said. "If you really want to do something you'll make time for it."
Russo and freshman Selin Ovunc earned a No. 8 national double ranking in her shortened senior season. She plans to remain at Auburn to pursue graduate studies in communications while taking advantage of the NCAA's decision to grant eligibility relief to spring sport student-athletes.
"I think right now, there are bigger things than tennis going on," said Russo, a student worker in Auburn Athletics' social media department. "I just love being a part of Auburn and the community. I've loved every minute of being here the past four years."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer