The Paul J. Cunningham Memorial Award is an effort to perpetuate the memory of a bright, talented young athlete who represented the highest qualities of the student-athlete. In addition to being an outstanding athlete, Paul was a quality student, a leader on and off the field, and a professing Christian. He loved his school, his teammates, and proudly represented Howard Payne University. This award is given to the Howard Payne University male athlete who best represents these qualities as voted on by the university's athletic administration staff.

All-Time Paul Jay Cunningham Memorial Award Winners
1983-1984 – Alan Wartes (FT)
1984-1985 – Greg Young (BSK)
1985-1986 – Barry Ray Kimball (BSK)
1986-1987 – Sandra Fausett (female-VB/TENN)
1987-1988 – Jay Mayo (BB)
1988-1989 – Josh Potter (FT)
1989-1990 – Scott Russell (FT)
1990-1991 – Matt Henry (TENN)
1991-1992 – Shane Perkins (TRK), David White (BB)
1992-1993 – Andy Johnson (BB)
1993-1994 – Pepper Wells (BB)
1994-1995 – John Bachtel (FT)
1995-1996 – Shawn Hughes (BB), Sean Witherwax (FT)
1996-1997 – Dale Meinecke (FT)
1997-1998 – Steve Purl (BB)
1998-1999 – Henry Gonzales, Josh Pirtle (BB)
1999-2000 – Tim Pavlas (GOLF)
2000-2001 – Andy Garza (FT)
2001-2002 – Jarad Richards (BB)
2002-2003 – Billy Rushing (FT)
2003-2004 – Michael Harper (FT)
2004-2005 – Adam King (FT)
2005-2006 – Matthew Stephens (FT)
2006-2007 – Michael Rudewick (FT)
2007-2008 – Jordan Beard (FT)
2008-2009 – Tom Hermann (BSK)
2009-2010 – Corbin Young (FT)
2010-2011 – Dustin McClure (FT)
2011-2012 – Brandon Irwin (BSK)
2012-2013 – Houston Holmes (BB)
2013-2014 – Brandon Gould (BSK), Joshua Kennedy (FT)
2014-2015 - Blake Arbogast (BSK)
2015-2016 - Richard Young (FT)
2016-2017 - J Bailey (BSK)
2017-2018 - Khyce Randall (BSK)
2018-2019 - Noah Payne (BB)
2019-2020 - Britt Boler (FB)
2020-2021 - Dominic DeNardo (TENN)
2021-2022 - Reed Collins (FT)
2022-2023 - Rylee McGee (BB)
2023-2024 - Tanner Benson (BB)
2024-2025 - Jack Shackelford (BB)