FVSU Student-Athlete Awards Celebration - “A Splash Hit”

5/10/2023 10:40:00 AM

By: Makayla Cruz

FORT VALLEY, Ga. -- FVSU athletics celebrated the accomplishments of its student-athletes on-and-off the field on Sunday, May 7, at the Wildcat Student-Athlete Awards Celebration & Pool Party. Over 150 student-athletes, coaches, and staff were in attendance at HPE Natatorium to share in the celebration.

FVSU Awards Party Sponsors

FVSU Vice Presidents - Dr. Beth Day-Hairston, Dr. Olufunke Fontenot and Dr. Fares Howari - showing their support of the Wildcat student-athletes

New Director of Athletics, Dr. Renae Myles Payne welcomed everyone and recognized special guests, Dr. Olufunke Fontenot, Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Beth Day-Hairston, Dean of the College of Education & Professional Studies, and Dr. Fares Howari, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Dr. Renae thanked Dr. Gregory Green, Chair of the Health & Physical Education Department for the partnership with Athletics and also thanked the sponsors of the event, Coke, Buy A Nice Shirt, and Women in Gold.

Over 100 student-athletes received Lamp of Learning medallions from Provost Fontenot as 2022-23 All-Academic Scholars. A large number of student-athletes were also recognized for lettering in their sport. First-year letter winners received a t-shirt, Second-year letter winners received a windbreaker, Third-year letter winners will receive a lettermen jacket, and Fourth-year letter winners received a luggage bag & tag imprinted with their last name.

After the awards presentation and food, which was prepared on the grill by Marcus Green and the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., it was time to dance and have some fun poolside. Student-athletes enjoyed water volleyball, football tosses, and dives off the diving boards.

"This was really fun. I loved it. I like how everything was organized and put together. We should definitely do this again," said Shekinah Rachel with Women's Basketball/Track & Field.

DJ Roxx provided great music and laughter for the crowd. He chose walk-up songs for each coach as they announced their MVP's (see full list of MVP award winners below).

Other Comments from Staff and Student-Athletes on the event:

Samariah Smith with women's volleyball said, "It was a fun and relaxing experience overall. I especially liked it because Dr. Renae is already making an effort to connect with us, while also creating a safe space for us to just be ourselves."

"I could hear the student-athletes talking about how much fun they had as they were leaving the event, so the pool party was a great idea", said Wheeler Brown, Asst. AD for Internal Operations.

"The student-athlete experience is very important to me. I will always do my best to provide them with the type of experience that makes them glad they chose Fort Valley State to get their education and compete in the sport they love", said Dr. Renae. "Many thanks to the team of people that helped pull the event together, Dr. Emma Best, Dr. Ricardo Hooper, Mr. Wheeler Brown, Coach Ed Wrather, and Coach Brittany Cox. We'll see if the student-athletes want to go back to the banquet format next year, but I think the pool party was a splash hit this year."

Full List of Team Awards

- Women's Volleyball
  Defensive Player of the Year – Sarah Rosario
  Offensive Player of the Year – Raven Edwards
  MVP – Destinee Jackson
  Coaches Award – Syriah Wynt
- Football
  Defensive Player of the Year – Tim Alderman
  Offensive Player of the Year – Kelvin Durham
  MVP – Emanuel Wilson
  Coaches Award – Tyler Moore
- Women's Cross Country
  Most Valuable Runner – Montana Williams
- Men's Cross Country
  Most Valuable Runner – Terrell Williams
- Women's Basketball
  Defensive Player of the Year – Shekinah Rachel
  Offensive Player of the Year – Diamond Jones
  MVP – Diamond Jones
  Unsung Hero – Amiya Allen
- Men's Basketball
  Defensive Player of the Year – Jamal Reynolds
  Offensive Player of the Year – Myson Lowe
  MVP – K.J. Doucet
  Coaches Award – Joe Williams
- Women's Tennis
  Player of the Year – Avery Harris
  Coaches Award – Valerie Dorelien
- Men's Tennis
  Coaches Award – Stacy Sims, Jr.
- Men's Volleyball
  Defensive Player of the Year – Rashaun Wright
  Offensive Player of the Year – Isaiah Fedd
  MVP – Justin Yates
  Blue Blood Award – Kevin Charles
- Women's Track & Field
  Outstanding Trackster – D'liyah Austell
  Outstanding Fieldster – Aquila Kerr
- Men's Track & Field
  Outstanding Trackster – Da'Veon Jenkins
  Outstanding Fieldster – Joe Williams
  Golden Wildcat – Marcus Jefferson
- Softball
  Defensive Player of the Year – Tiffany Rose
  Offensive Player of the Year – Raven Webb
  MVP – Mariah Williams
  Coaches Award – Caprice Johnson
-Wildcats-

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FVSU Student-Athlete Awards Celebration - “A Splash Hit”