The Allstate Sugar Bowl has recognized the top male and female amateur athletes from the Greater New Orleans area since 1978 – candidates must either play for a team that is based in the Greater New Orleans area or must be a native of the New Orleans area competing elsewhere. The honor is selected by the Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, which has been existence since 1957. All of the
Sugar Bowl annual awards were presented on a calendar-year basis until 2009 when the Committee changed to an academic calendar (July-June). The annual awards banquet is typically held in late July or early August. Records from 1991-98 are not available.
Alia Armstrong, an All-American hurdler for the LSU track and field team, was selected as the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s Outstanding Female Amateur Athlete of the Year from the New Orleans area for 2022-23.
Armstrong, a graduate of St. Katharine Drexel, continued her collegiate dominance in 2023. The junior star for the LSU Tigers ran the fastest all-conditions 100-meter hurdle time in collegiate history with a mark of 12.31 seconds in the semifinals of the SEC Outdoor Championships. In the finals, she turned in a non-wind-aided time of 12.40 seconds, which ranks third in NCAA history and is the SEC record. In addition to winning gold in that event, she was part of LSU’s winning 4x100-meter relay team. Following the SEC Championships, Armstong posted the fastest legal time of the day (12.59) in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA East Regionals to qualify for nationals where she earned a third-place finish with a time of 12.49 seconds to earn her fourth First Team All-America distinction. She also helped the Tigers’ 4x100 relay team to a third-place finish to add more All-America recognition.
Outstanding Female Amateur Athlete, New Orleans
| 2022-23 |
Alia Armstrong |
LSU Track & Field |
| 2021-22 |
Alia Armstrong |
LSU Track & Field |
| 2020-21 |
Kristen Nuss |
LSU Beach Volleyball |
| 2019-20 |
Angela Charles-Alfred |
Xavier University Tennis |
| 2018-19 |
Ellie Holzman |
Mount Carmel Volleyball |
| 2017-18 |
Aleia Hobbs |
LSU Track & Field |
| 2016-17 |
Aleia Hobbs |
LSU Track & Field |
| 2015-16 |
Kristen Nuss |
Mount Carmel Volleyball/Basketball |
| 2014-15 |
Katie Kampen |
Mount Carmel Volleyball |
| 2013-14 |
Kalani Brown |
Salmen Basketball |
| 2012-13 |
Katherine Broussard |
Country Day Volleyball |
| 2011-12 |
Christi Orgeron |
UL-Lafayette Softball |
| 2010-11 |
Maribel Lopez-Porras |
Tulane Golf |
| 2009-10 |
Trenese Smith |
Loyola University Basketball |
|
Olivia Grayson |
Archbishop Chapelle Basketball |
| 2008 |
Trenese Smith |
Loyola University Basketball |
| 2007 |
Trenese Smith |
Loyola University Basketball |
| 2006 |
Ashley Brignac |
John Curtis Softball |
| 2005 |
Not Awarded |
Hurricane Katrina |
| 2004 |
Jessica Barksdale |
John Curtis Softball |
| 2003 |
Temeka Johnson |
LSU Basketball |
| 2002 |
Julie Smekodub |
Tulane Tennis |
| 2001 |
Meg Henican |
Newman Volleyball/Soccer |
| 2000 |
Mindy Livaudais |
Ridgewood Prep Volleyball |
| 1999 |
Grace Daley |
Tulane Basketball |
| 1988 |
Ashley Cook |
Mandeville Track & Field |
| 1987 |
Mitzi Plaeger |
Ecole Classique Track & Field |
| 1986 |
Stacey Gaudet |
Tulane Basketball |
| 1985 |
Stacey Gaudet |
Tulane Basketball |
| 1984 |
Sandra Lucht |
UNO Basketball |
| 1983 |
Sandra Hodge |
UNO Basketball |
| 1982 |
Sandra Hodge |
UNO Basketball |
| 1981 |
Sandra Hodge |
UNO Basketball |
| 1980 |
Linda Wilson |
SUNO Track & Field |
| 1979 |
Sharon Nolan |
Horse Racing |
|
Linda Wilson |
SUNO Track & Field |
| 1978 |
Amy Montgomery |
