Nicole Artz Michigan's women's gymnastics team and Jake Butt from football have been named U-M's 2016-17 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients.
The Big Ten Medal of Honor has been around since 1915, honoring those who have "attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work." Over 100 years of the Big Ten Medal of Honor, almost 1,400 students earned this distinction, according to the conference.
Artz, from Holland, Mich., is a two-time captain, a 2016 Academic All-American, three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, three-time NACGC/W Scholastic All-American and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Artz is also one of the best U-M gymnasts ever. She's a finalist for the AAI Award, given annually to the nation's top senior gymnast. She's accumulated six NCAA All-America citations and earned 2017 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year.
Butt, from Pickerington, Ohio, graduated last winter in sociology. He earned Academic All-Big Ten in the fall, and became the team's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner. Butt garnered the Senior CLASS Award for Division I Football (FBS), going to a senior displaying notable achievements in the areas of the community, classroom, character and competition.
One of Jim Harbaugh's co-captains, Butt is a regular at C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital. He also works with the Chad Tough Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other charitable organizations.
Butt wound up Michigan's all-time leading receiver at the tight end position, with 138 receptions for 1,646 yards. The two-time All-American posted 11 career touchdowns. He won the John Mackey Award this season, and twice captured the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year distinction.
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