By Suzy Alstrin
Over 700 attendees dressed in black and white formal attire walked the red carpet filling the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center for the return of the RESPY (Reinhardt Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) awards. Last held in 2019, the August 26th event resumed Reinhardt’s annual celebration of athletes, teams, coaches, and supporters and presented awards for accomplishments on and off the field.
The University’s new Association of Student Athletes (ASA) members spearheaded planning and executing the gala and brought it back in full glory. The ASA formed this past Spring, comprised of at least two athletes from each of 20 teams and advised by Kelley Horton, Instructor of Sport Studies and Athletics Senior Women Leader. With the Eagles having earned back-to-back Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Duard Walker Awards for being the most successful sports program in the conference, the timing was ideal.
Horton explains the evening’s success, “One of the biggest highlights for me, was seeing the student-athlete leaders spend weeks organizing a major event, realize their vision and watch it come to life. It was awesome to see all the teams coming together in a different atmosphere, cheering for each other, cheering for their coaches, cheering for the faculty and staff who were honored. It truly makes a difference in their college experience when you take the time to recognize their efforts, along with others who work to encourage and support them, in such a special way.”
Amid glittering decorations, homemade refreshments, and an enthusiastic crowd, thirty awards were presented. Highlights include the women’s lacrosse team being honored with the Team of the Year Award for winning the Red Banner NAIA National Championship, and softball All-American Emily Loveless being named the Top Female Athlete for having one of the best playing careers in the program’s history. The most decorated athlete in Reinhardt’s history, Track and field athlete David Friedberg, was honored with the Golden Eagle and the Record-Breaking Performance awards.
2023 – 2024 RESPY AWARDS
Breakthrough Team of the Year (Awarded to the team judged to have made the best or most significant progress with its program within a given year): Men’s Volleyball, Runners up: Women’s Lacrosse, Baseball, Women’s Basketball
Talon Tough (Awarded to a member of the RU community who exemplified extraordinary strength, courage, and fortitude over the year): Nash Crowell (Baseball)
Fan of the Year (A person or small group dedicated to continuously supporting multiple Reinhardt programs throughout the calendar year): The Price School of Education faculty
Freshman of the Year (The male and female student-athletes who during their first season made a big difference or had a significant impact on his/her respective team): Braniff Mahoney
Newcomer of the Year (The male and female student-athlete who competed in their first season as a Reinhardt Eagle since transferring from another school and who made a significant impact on his/her respective team): Ashlyn Barnes (Volleyball), Keon McGhee (Football), Female runners up: Brooklyn Hill (Lacrosse), Camila Neyra (Tennis), Ty Williams (Basketball), Male runners up: Brett Allen (Baseball), Nate Jones (Basketball), Pol Masafret (Tennis), Curtis Thomas (Wrestling)
Assistant Coach of the Year (The person judged to have made the biggest contribution to their respective program): Josh White (Track & Field)
Eagle Scholars –(All student-athletes who completed a full season of competition with their respective team, while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher over a school year are recognized as Eagle Scholars.): These students were asked to stand during the ceremony. Due to the high amount, individual names are not listed.
Highest Team GPA (The team with the highest cumulative team Grade Point Average among all competitive sports within the year): Women’s Golf
Faculty Mentor Award (The University faculty member who has demonstrated dedication, support, and guidance to student-athletes and the institution’s athletic programs): Dr. Melissa Hickman
Thelma Rogers Silver Eagle Award (Male and female student-athletes who displayed a tremendous amount of loyalty and team spirit. They must be in good academic standing, play a significant role on their respective teams, and have been at RU for at least two competition seasons): Jill Martinet (Softball), Andrew Paolozzi (Track & Field), Female runners up: Debbie Blount (Golf), Tarrah Gibson (Basketball), Kelsey Sowa (Lacrosse), Marta Vincente-Arche (Soccer), Male runners up: Luciano Fisicaro (Tennis), Tucker Lowe (Basketball), Jason Marx (Lacrosse), Ivan Patta (Soccer)
Stat Stuffer (The male and female student-athlete with the most impressive and most complete statistical season in his/her respective sport): Alex Sánchez – (Volleyball), Ashley Woodroffe (Basketball), Female runners up: Emily Loveless (Softball), Jill Mello (Lacrosse), Sarah Sweet (Volleyball), Marta Vincente-Arche (Soccer), Male runners up: Elijah Clark (Soccer), Cameron Cochran (Lacrosse), Dylan Lewis (Baseball), Derrian Reed (Basketball)
CB5 Faithful Eagle (This award, in Memory of Coach Brian Goodhind, will be presented to a Reinhardt Eagle who has shown enduring faith and strength in the face of adversity and the way they live their life every day. They look to and trust in the Lord in the good and bad and exemplify faith in His plan in all things): The inaugural award was given to his girlfriend Nelia Bradea-Pop who attended the ceremony to accept the CB5 Faithful Eagle in memory of Coach B.
Best Championship Performance by an Individual Athlete (The male and female student-athlete who had the best or most outstanding performance in a championship game, match, series, or tournament in his/her life): Trevor Burdick (Wrestling), Shelby O’Neil (Lacrosse), Female runners up: Whitney Shepherd (Softball), Ashley Woodroffe (Basketball), Male runners up: David Friedberg (Track & Field), Tucker Zdunich (Baseball)
Best Championship Performance by a Team – The team judged to have had the best or most outstanding performance in a championship event of any kind in that respective sport): Baseball, Runners up: Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s Tennis, Men’s Volleyball
Comeback Player of the Year (Presented to one student-athlete considered to have made the most significant or impressive comeback from illness, injury, hardship, retirement, or loss of form): Andrew Herbert (Baseball), Runners up: Macy Fulton (Women’s Lacrosse), Jill Martinet (Softball), Carter Maurice (Men’s Lacrosse)
Best Game of the Year (A team judged as having the best game in a given year. Criteria includes but not limited to overall entertainment, fan reaction, memorable plays, and a RU win/tie): Football vs. Pikeville – came from behind to win in double overtime in the 1st AAC win of the season, Runners up: Baseball in Game 2 NAIA World Series, Women’s Lacrosse National Championship Win, Men’s Volleyball team upset the number 1 seed in the conference in 3 straight sets, Men’s Tennis vs. McPherson College
Champions of Character (One athlete from each athletic team selected by their head this past year, typically chosen based on their consistent demonstration of the Champions of Character program’s core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. Those chosen represent the highest standards of character and leadership within their team): Dawson Bates (Wrestling), Debbie Blount (Women’s Golf), Luchi Fisicaro (Men’s Tennis), Brady Hanak (Men’s Lacrosse), Dalton Henson (Men’s Golf), Ethan Keung (Men’s Volleyball), Nate Louis (Basketball), Calena Myers (Women’s Volleyball), Andrew Paolozzi (Track & Field), Ivan Patta (Men’s Soccer), Hunter Paulsen (Baseball), Angela Schiacchitano (Women’s Lacrosse), Brooke Simon (Women’s Cross Country), Hannah Kate Singleton (Softball), Elyse Standing (Tennis), Haley Sturla (Women’s Soccer), Tom Vincent (Men’s Cross Country), Jake Wallace (Football), Ty Williams (Women’s Basketball), Bethanee Wiggins (Track & Field)
Head Coach of the Year (The head coach adjudged by his/her peers to have made the biggest contribution to their program or deemed to have put the best product on the playing field that represents Reinhardt University and its values in an appropriate manner): Roy Reynolds, Women’s Lacrosse
Record-Breaking Performance (The record-breaking single play, game, or season performance by one female athlete or team and one male athlete or team adjudged to be the most remarkable, significant, or impressive within a given year): David Friedberg (Track and Field), Sarah Sweet (Volleyball), Female runners up: Women’s Lacrosse team, Jillian Mello (Lacrosse), Emily Loveless (Softball), Male runners up: Baseball team, Alex Sanchez (Volleyball), Tucker Zdunich (Baseball)
Clutch Performance of the Year (Presented to one male and one female student-athlete, regardless or sport, classification or gender, adjudged to be the most significant or remarkable in the closing moments of competition or throughout the entirety of a single game with serious implication on the season): Brett Allen (Baseball), Jillian Mello (Lacrosse), Female runners up: Shelby O’Neil (Lacrosse), Whitney Shepherd (Softball), Sarah Sweet (Volleyball), Men’s runners up: Trevor Burdick (Wrestling), Alex Sanchez (Volleyball), Tucker Zdunich (Baseball)
Soar Award (A University employee or employee group who goes above and beyond in their support of, and dedication to, student-athletes and the athletic program): The RU Sports Medicine Staff
Play of the Year (The student-athlete judged to have made the most remarkable, significant, or impressive single play in a given calendar year): J.R. Sess (Men’s Lacrosse), Runners up: Nash Crowell (Baseball), Matty Maurer (Baseball), Alex Sánchez (Volleyball), Tucker Zdunich – Baseball)
Coach Bill Popp Golden Eagle Award (Considered to be the Reinhardt University Player of the Year, it is presented to a male and female judged to have had the best or most significant success on the playing field compared to his/her peers): David Friedberg (Track & Field), Emily Loveless (Softball), Female runners up: Ashlynn Barnes (Volleyball), Camila Neyra (Tennis), Shelby O’Neil (Lacrosse), Maria Sanchez-Ponce (Basketball), Male runners up: Trevor Burdick (Wrestling), Andrew Herbert (Baseball), Alex Sánchez (Volleyball), J.R. Sess (Lacrosse)
Team of the Year (The team judged to be the most outstanding team throughout a given year): Women’s Lacrosse, Runners up: Baseball , Women’s Basketball, Men’s Volleyball, Men’s Tennis
