Conference Awards for EC Athletes

Emmanuel College athletes were honored with awards by the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) during the 2008-09 SSAC Awards Luncheon.

The Musco Lighting Honor Scholar Athletic award went to Caitlin Bryan, softball player and 2009 EC graduate, and Trevor Lanier, junior tennis player, for their character during competitions and away from their sports. Honored students must meet GPA requirements, community service criteria, on-the-field excellence, and virtues of the Champion of Character program sponsored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). These two student athletes both major in communication at EC.

“It came as a surprise because I had no idea it was coming,” Lanier says. “Once the shock disappeared, I inaudibly thanked God for the chance to receive this honor.”

“This is the first year of this award, so we are obviously happy to receive the first award,” says Mike Bona, EC Athletic Director and Women’s Basketball Head Coach. “This is an honor and recognition of how our teams have made a conscious effort to follow our emphasis on the Champions of Character program.”

Hazel Jeffers, senior tennis player, received the NAIA Champions of Character Award for the women’s tennis team. Jeffers is an exercise science major at EC.

Dr. Mark Goodwin, EC Tennis Coach, nominated Lanier and Jeffers for the awards. “The NAIA Scholar Athletic award is given to junior and senior athletes whose grade point is 3.5 or higher,” Dr. Goodwin says. “For the Character Awards, players must display good sportsmanship on the court and be a part of community service projects off the court. Both Trevor and Hazel are top quality students, athletes and individuals. They richly deserve these awards, and I am proud to be their coach.”

The Sportsmanship Award recognizes male and female athletes in the NAIA conference who have displayed the highest standards of sportsmanship, fairness and equity in contests and relationships.

Written By Senior Communication Major Lauren Peeples

 photo of President Michael Stewart and Athletic Director Mike Bona
Link to Hi-Res Image