Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Smith and Onugha Named Student-Athletes of the Month
11/3/2025 8:48:00 AM | Academics
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic Athletics has named its Prestige Windows & Doors Student-Athletes of the Month for October with Payne Smith from men's swimming and diving and Vivian Onugha, who is getting ready to lead the women's basketball team in its opening week of play, receiving the honors.
The monthly awards are presented to a male and female Florida Atlantic student-athlete to recognize their excellence in the classroom. FAU's athletic academic staff votes on the award. It is the first honors for this duo.
QUOTABLE
"Payne has demonstrated exceptional dedication to academic excellence while balancing the high demands of athletic competition. As a senior majoring in finance, he consistently strives for success, showing focus, determination, and a strong commitment to learning. Beyond academics, Payne also serves as a leader of the SAAC Executive Board, where he plays an active role in representing fellow student-athletes and fostering a positive and inclusive athletic community. His leadership and initiative continue to make a meaningful impact both within athletics and our community." - Caroline Lohan, FAU's Athletic Academic Advisor/Learning Specialist
"Vivian started with Florida Atlantic last summer and hit the ground running by taking an impressive 15 credits, and her hard work paid off with a 3.34 GPA. She is currently taking another 15 credits and has continued with her academic excellence as she currently holds nearly all A's. Vivian has shown consistency to her dedication in the classroom and is a model student-athlete. Her hard work makes her the perfect candidate to represent this month's student athlete of the month." - Jordan Pitre, FAU's Director of Student-Athlete Development/Athletic Academic Advisor.
STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
August - Terez Reid, football, Maja Piotrowicz, women's swimming & diving
September - Mamadou Diarra, men's soccer, Stella Rubidoux, women's soccer
October – Payne Smith, men's swimming and diving, Vivian Onugha, women's basketball
The monthly awards are presented to a male and female Florida Atlantic student-athlete to recognize their excellence in the classroom. FAU's athletic academic staff votes on the award. It is the first honors for this duo.
QUOTABLE
"Payne has demonstrated exceptional dedication to academic excellence while balancing the high demands of athletic competition. As a senior majoring in finance, he consistently strives for success, showing focus, determination, and a strong commitment to learning. Beyond academics, Payne also serves as a leader of the SAAC Executive Board, where he plays an active role in representing fellow student-athletes and fostering a positive and inclusive athletic community. His leadership and initiative continue to make a meaningful impact both within athletics and our community." - Caroline Lohan, FAU's Athletic Academic Advisor/Learning Specialist
"Vivian started with Florida Atlantic last summer and hit the ground running by taking an impressive 15 credits, and her hard work paid off with a 3.34 GPA. She is currently taking another 15 credits and has continued with her academic excellence as she currently holds nearly all A's. Vivian has shown consistency to her dedication in the classroom and is a model student-athlete. Her hard work makes her the perfect candidate to represent this month's student athlete of the month." - Jordan Pitre, FAU's Director of Student-Athlete Development/Athletic Academic Advisor.
STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
August - Terez Reid, football, Maja Piotrowicz, women's swimming & diving
September - Mamadou Diarra, men's soccer, Stella Rubidoux, women's soccer
October – Payne Smith, men's swimming and diving, Vivian Onugha, women's basketball
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