Alabama track and field athlete Samuel Ogazi has been named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Men’s Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year, according to an announcement from the league office on Tuesday.
This is the first time a male student-athlete from Alabama has received this recognition. It is also Ogazi’s first scholar-athlete award during his time at Alabama. The Crimson Tide program has now had three SEC Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in the past four seasons, with previous awards going to Mercy Chelangat in 2023 and Doris Lemngole in 2025 for women’s track.
Ogazi shares this year’s award with Brandon Green Jr. from Oklahoma and Calvin Wetzel from Tennessee.
“Maintains a 3.304 grade-point average, majoring in criminology and criminal justice
2024 Paris Olympian
Five-time All-American
2025 outdoor national champion and SEC champion in the men’s 400 meters
Won the 400-meter title at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic
Broke the facility record with a 44.85 — ranking No. 2 on this season’s world list, No. 13 all-time and No. 2 in Alabama program history
Ran a 44.24 anchor leg on UA’s 4×400-meter relay at the Tiger Paw Invitational, helping the Crimson Tide clock the program’s second-fastest time in the event (3:02.29)
Named SEC Men’s Runner of the Week on Feb. 10
Earned Dean’s List honors twice (Fall 2024, Fall 2025)”
Ogazi’s achievements include earning All-American status five times and winning both national and conference titles in the men’s 400 meters during the 2025 outdoor season. He also set a facility record at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic with a time of 44.85 seconds, which stands as one of this season’s fastest times globally as well as among historical records for both NCAA athletes and Alabama’s program.
Additionally, Ogazi contributed to Alabama’s success by anchoring their relay team at the Tiger Paw Invitational with a split of 44.24 seconds, helping secure one of their fastest relay times ever recorded.
