[1] The eight nominees each receive a commemorative durilium ring and the two winners receive $10,000 post-graduate scholarships and are awarded the Doug and Lois Mitchell Trophy.

[1][2] The nominees must have participated in their sport for at least two years and cannot win the award more than once.

[1] The awards were founded in 1993 by Douglas Mitchell who wanted to provide more recognition for Canadian university athletes.

[3] They were initially named after Mitchell's law firm Howard, Mackie in Calgary, Alberta.

[1] The awards were further rebranded as the Lieutenant Governor Athletic Awards in 2019 while continuing to be championed by Mitchell and his wife, Lois Mitchell, the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.