Saint Augustine University wrapped up another year of competitive athletics by recognizing the outstanding contributions of its many athletes at the annual athletic banquet on April 25. The catered event was held in the Martin Luther King ballroom and included remarks by alumni and former SAU basketball player Anthony Boggan.
The ceremony honored the contributions of athletes from every competitive sport as well as the Bluechips cheearleading squad. Students, faculty and staff attended.
Student athletes who received the awards turned around and gave praise right back to coaches and fellow teammates.
“I was excited yet shocked to hear my name called for most valuable player on the SAU women’s bowling team,” said Phylicia Davis, a graduating senior majoring in criminal justice. “I am very grateful for this opportunity that was given to me and hopefully someday become a professional bowler. I want to thank my coaches and teammates for this award and for an amazing season.”
Anthony Gaskins, a senior, was named Most Valuable Player of the men’s basketball team. “I’m thankful for this opportunity and will always remain humble in everything that I pursue,” Gaskins said. “It’s a bittersweet feeling as my time winds down and I feel as though I left everything in me at Saint Augustine’s University.”
Aarnesica Harris, a junior majoring in elementary education and a member of the Bluechips, was happy that cheerleaders were recognized. “Even though most people think that cheerleading is a sport, we work just as hard as any other team,” Harris said. “I didn’t receive any award tonight but I know my time is coming and with patience and dedication I can do anything I put my mind to.”
Shakeisha Washington, a graduating senior majoring in sociology and a member of the Lady Falcon’s basketball team, said she “really enjoyed” the awards banquet.
“The food was amazing and well as the speakers,” Washington said. “I’m going to really miss this as my time here at Saint Aug comes to an end. Nothing but positive vibes from my teammates and classmates tonight. Everyone looked stunning and a big congrats to all who received an award.”
2016-17 Award Winner are listed below:
CHEERLEADING
Highest Grade Point Average: Isis Thomas
Most Improved Cheerleader Award: Asia Bethea
Coaches Award: Nyshanti Greene
Most Valuable Cheerleader Award: Trynace Miller
BASEBALL
Highest Grade Point Average: Timothy Carter
Most Improved Player Award: Corey Brassington, Chris Ingram
Coaches Award: Michael Keels
Most Valuable Player Award: Rickey Rice
VOLLEYBALL
Highest Grade Point Average: Shakera Hall
Most Improved Player Award: Marley Parker
Coaches Award: Shakera Hall
Most Valuable Player Award: Zoey Isom
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Highest Grade Point Average: Leah Barker
Most Improved Athlete Award: Nia Erwin-Sherrod
Most Valuable Newcomer Award: Iris Robinson
Most Valuable Athlete Award: Mylene Cannon
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Highest Grade Point Average: Shawn Rowe
Most Improved Athlete Award: Khari Herbert, Jr.
Most Valuable Newcomer Award: Nikolas Thomas
Most Valuable Athlete Award: Shaquille Dill
WOMEN’S BOWLING
Highest Grade Point Average: La’Tricha Parks
Coaches Award: Tyisha Smith
Most Valuable Freshman Award: Phylicia Davis
Most Valuable Bowler Award: Rakeshia Sanders
MEN’S GOLF
Highest Grade Point Average: Howard Walker
Most Improved Golfer Award: Tevin Williams
Coaches Award: Kendall White
Most Valuable Golfer Award: J.T. Moore
SOFTBALL
Highest Grade Point Average: Marley Parker
Most Valuable Freshman Award: Makayla August
Coaches Award: Jasmine Rios
Most Valuable Player Award: Meranda Zanni
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Highest Grade Point Average: Shakera Hall
Most Improved Athlete Award: Tia-Adana Belle
Most Valuable Track & Field Award: Shakinah Brooks
Most Valuable Athlete Award: Ornella Livingston
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Highest Grade Point Average: Omar Johnson
Most Improved Athlete Award: Jumonne Exeter
Most Valuable Track & Field Award: Khari Herbert, Jr.
Most Valuable Athlete Award: Shaquille Dill
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Highest Grade Point Average: Teeria Vaughan
Most Improved Player Award: Kelsee Arnold
Coaches Award: Shakeisha Washington
Most Valuable Player Award: Kaaliya Williams
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Highest Grade Point Average: Julio Cardoso
Most Improved Player Award: Andre Stanley
Coaches Award: Anthony Gaskins
Most Valuable Player Award: Quincy January
WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Highest Grade Point Average: Shakera Hall
Most Improved Athlete Award: Ade Hunter
Most Valuable Track & Field Award: Shakinah Brooks
Most Valuable Athlete Award: Tia-Adana Belle
MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Highest Grade Point Average: Omar Johnson
Most Improved Athlete Award: Adrian Kimmons
Most Valuable Track & Field Award: Shawn Rowe
Most Valuable Athlete Award: Shaquille Dill and Khari Herbert, Jr.
FOOTBALL
Highest Grade Point Average: Anthony Arthur
Most Improved Player Award: Keywan Morgan
Most Valuable Freshman Award: Larry Blanton
Most Valuable Offensive Player Award: Sam Boyd
Most Valuable Defensive Player Award: Chasz Cosby
Most Valuable Special Teams Award: Denzel Malone-Huff
Most Valuable Player Award: D.J. Johnson
— Jarrod Sibert
