WACO, TEXAS (NCBWA) – Three finalists for the inaugural Tony Gwynn Trophy, honoring NCAA baseball student-athletes who exemplify the Gwynn legacy, have been announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The Gwynn Trophy winner will be selected from these finalists, in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members.
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.
Nominees were solicited this spring through college baseball publicists and the NCBWA membership.
The three finalists include Kansas infielder Michael Brooks, Northern Colorado catcher/outfielder Tony Castonguay and LSU outfielder Chris Stanfield.
Michael Brooks, R-Sr., INF, Kansas
Academic/Athletic Accomplishments: A key three-year player for Kansas who opened his career in 2022 at UCF … Over his KU career, has hit .297 in 151 games with 149 starts, logging 115 runs and 162 hits … Owns 39 career doubles with 25 homers and 110 RBI … In 2025, while leading Kansas to a historic season, has hit .274 with 47 runs in 60 games, totaling 11 doubles, one triple, nine homers and 38 RBI … Hit .256 in 58 games and 52 starts as a freshman at UCF with seven homers and 47 RBI … Was named All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2024 after hitting .331 with eight homers and 38 RBI … Tabbed the No. 19 third baseman entering 2025 by D1Baseball and the No. 57 senior in 2025 by Perfect Game … Owns a 3.22 GPA while earning a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and is currently working on his master’s degree in sports management.
Community Engagement: Brooks has led a campaign since the 2023 season to personally donate $20 for every hit he had to the Lawrence Schools Foundation, seeking to provide school supplies to teachers and students, with his 2023 efforts raising $1,180 out of his own pocket for the organization … In 2024, continued the project, donating $20 for every hit and $40 for every home run, totaling $1,080 despite a season-ending injury in April … Has kept the initiative going in 2025.
What They’re Saying: “We think it’s such a great story to share and such a fantastic opportunity to partner with Michael. It’s always especially exciting when someone from the younger generation can start something like that, particularly because the younger kids really look up to guys like Michael.
“When people think about giving back to an organization or the community, they often automatically think about donating money, and that’s great, but I think it’s so neat that he’s using his time and talents in a creative way to donate.” – Dena Johnston, executive director at Lawrence Schools Foundation
Tony Castonguay, Sr., C/OF, Northern Colorado
Academic/Athletic Accomplishments: Castonguay is in his first year as a key player for Northern Colorado, after spending the 2023 season at UNC Asheville and two seasons at Kansas … Has played in 44 games with 35 starts in 2025 with 11 doubles, three homers and 32 RBI … Hit .257 in 2023 at UNC Asheville with two homers and 25 RBI … Played in 31 games with three starts over his KU career … Owns a 3.84 cumulative GPA with a major in natural health and sciences … Was named to the 2021 All-Big 12 Academic Rookie Team.
Community Engagement: Has been active in the community throughout his collegiate career and has shown great resilience to recover from an off-the-field injury … Runs his own non-profit, “WeAreOneMovement”, where he raises scholarships for students with special needs … In the community, has volunteered with The Arc of Northeast Colorado, an advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities … In 2023, coached The Arc unified basketball team … Suffered a major injury as a pedestrian victim of a hit-and-run in Tennessee, which required operations to repair damage to his hips but still volunteered to coach The Arc basketball team while in a wheelchair and later on crutches … He later interned at The Arc while finishing his undergraduate degree.
What They’re Saying: “Tony is an exceptional student-athlete and leader on the team, who consistently shows high character of caring for teammates and people of the community. He runs his own non-profit called “WeAreOneMovement” where he raises scholarships for students with special needs who are graduating.
“Tony was the victim of a terrible hit-and-run accident while visiting his friend in Tennessee. A drunk driver hit Tony while he was walking, and he ended up in the hospital with several life-threatening injuries. It was a long road to recovery and it’s remarkable that he is able to be playing again after everything he has gone through. People hear Tony’s story, and they are inspired that he has not let terrible moments like this take away from his desire to serve others around him.” – Michael High, former UNC Baseball SID
Chris Stanfield, Jr., OF, LSU
Academic/Athletic Accomplishments: Is in his first year at LSU after playing the first two seasons of his career at Auburn … Played in 102 games at Auburn, collecting 97 hits with 16 doubles, seven homers and 47 RBI over his two-year career, adding 18 stolen bases … Has 162 games in his career with 154 hits, 31 doubles, five triples, eight homers and 71 RBI, stealing 23 bases … In 2025 at LSU, has played in 60 games with 15 doubles, two triples, one homer and 24 RBI … Named to the 2025 Frisco College Classic All-Tournament Team.
Community Engagement: Over his three-year career, Stanfield has been a fixture in the communities of Auburn and LSU … Launched his “Be The 1” Campaign at LSU, where he donates $100 to the Miracle League in Baton Rouge for every game he has an extra-base hit or stolen base … He is actively involved with the Miracle League in Baton Rouge … While at Auburn, his campaign raised $10,000 for the Miracle League of East Alabama, and he has been active in that organization since he was in eighth grade in Tallahassee, Florida … Also volunteers with local elementary schools.
What They’re Saying: “Chris believes that throughout his life, baseball has given him so much, so he continues to give back. He believes he is playing for a special purpose and encourages others to join him in his philanthropic efforts.” – Bill Franques, Senior Associate Communications Director
About the Gwynn Trophy
Gwynn was nationally recognized throughout his life for his unyielding commitment to philanthropy. He and 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, Gwynn 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, including 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 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.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official site, ncbwa.com.