DELTA STATE ATHLETICS

June 29, 2007

McClain set to take helm of Delta State Athletics Monday

CLEVELAND – A new era in Delta State University Athletics will begin on Monday, as Jeremy McClain takes over as Director of Athletics.  McClain, a 1999 graduate and former All-American pitcher for DSU, was named to the post on April 19 after a national search.  During the four-month transition, Ronnie Mayers, Assistant A.D. for Special Projects, has served as Interim Director of Athletics. 

“This is an exciting time at Delta State University and I am excited to have the opportunity to lead such a dynamic group of coaches, staff and student-athletes,” stated McClain.  “I want to thank the DSU and Cleveland communities for their continued support, DSU President Dr. John Hilpert, and coach Ronnie Mayers for making this transition seamless.” 

The Houlka native is also excited about the future of DSU Athletics and where his leadership will take Department.  “A great foundation has been laid here at Delta State University, and it is my desire to continue to build upon that foundation. We will graduate student-athletes and prepare them for their futures. We will continue to be one of the most successful athletic programs in the nation, and we will continue to strive for growth. We will not slow down.” 

McClain’s first official duty as Director of Athletics will be an 8 a.m. staff meeting on Monday.    

 

May 2, 2007

DSU Athletics honors 350 student-athletes at 39th annual Athletic Awards Banquet; Perkins and Eyster take top honors

CLEVELAND- Over 350 student-athletes were recognized Tuesday night for their accomplishments, both on the field and in the classroom, at the 39th annual Delta State University Athletic Awards Banquet. The event, which featured presentations by coaches from each sport at Delta State, was held in the Walter Sillers Coliseum.

The event also featured a number of service awards presented by the Athletic Alumni Association.  The Lawrence L. Stewart Athletic Service Award was presented to Steve Davis, Vice President of Roy Collins Construction in Cleveland.  James Marquis was presented the Athletic Alumni Association Appreciation Award for his dedication and service to Delta State Athletics. 

Festivities included new inductees into the Athletic Director’s Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed on the top male and female athlete based on the student’s overall grade point average and the men’s and women’s team with the highest overall grad point average.  Randa Blenden, a senior pitcher for the Lady Statesmen softball program, received the women’s honor with a 3.66 GPA in Nursing.  Scott Eyster captured the men’s award with a 3.55 in Sports Management.  The Lady Statesmen softball team earned the women’s team honor after posting the highest team GPA overall with a 3.26 GPA.  The Statesmen golf team garnered the men’s honor with 3.00 GPA.     

The night’s events were capped off with the presentation of the Charles S. Kerg Senior Athlete of the Year Awards. Established by former Head Coach and Athletic Director Horace McCool, the Charles S. Kerg Award was named after the former sports editor for the Delta Democrat Times. At a time when few media paid attention to Delta State Athletics, Kerg followed Delta State religiously, making sure the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen student-athletes and their programs received the coverage they deserved.

This year’s recipients of the 2007 Charles S. Kerg Senior Athlete of the Year Awards are Kasey Perkins and Scott Eyster, pictured above. Perkins, a 12-time All-American swimmer from Hattiesburg, received the women’s award after capping a brilliant four year career for coach Ronnie Mayers and Brian Hein’s Swimming and Diving program.  Eyster, a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy finalist and the all-time leading passer in Delta State and Gulf South Conference history, was an overwhelming choice for the men’s honor.  The Hammond, La. native was also inducted into the Athletic Director’s Academic Hall of Fame. 

The awards for each individual sport are listed below. All awards were not presented last night as statistical information is still being compiled on some awards. Baseball and softball will present their awards at the conclusion of their seasons.  For more information on all the award winners, please contact the DSU Athletic Department at (662) 846-4300.

Swimming Awards - Statesmen
Workout Award - Fernando Reis
Most Valuable Swimmer - Fernando Reis
Ronnie Mayers Statesman Award - Fernando Reis
Scholar Athlete - Yekta Alp

Swimming Awards – Lady Statesmen
Mary Nell Stewart Workout Award - Rebecca Glass
Most Valuable Swimmer - Kasey Perkins
Most Valuable Diver - Jessie Lockwood
Lady Statesman Award - Jennifer Artichuk
Scholar Athlete - Jennifer Artichuk

Soccer Awards – Lady Statesmen
Offense Award - Catherine Sanford
Defense Award - Brandi Head
Most Improved - Cody Harris
Impact Player - Shannon Brown
Outstanding Freshman - Bridget Duke
Scholar Athlete - Laura Swanson
Lady Statesman Award - Allie and Angie Libby

Soccer Awards - Statesmen
Offense Award - Lee Williamson
Defense Award - Evan Griffin
Most Improved - David Wages
Impact Player - Kevin Marchi
Scholar Athlete - Trey Jones
Outstanding Freshman - Pete Xiong
Statesmen Award - Ricardo Calender

Women’s Basketball
Most Valuable Player - Jennifer Rushing
Most Improved - Brittani Calhoun
Best Defensive Guard - Wyconda Thomas
Best Defensive Post -   Courtney Wilson
Best Three Point Shooter - Jessica Boyd
Lady Statesman Award - Ashley Martin & Natalie Ellington

Cross Country           
Most Valuable Runner - Kristin Williams
Most Improved - Natasha Smith
Lady Statesman Award -Hayden Wood

Tennis – Lady Statesmen
Lady Statesman Award - Lisa Ortola
Most Valuable Player - Agnes Koch
Most Improved - Milena Araujo

Tennis - Statesmen
Most Valuable Player - David Voravongsa
Statesman Award - Rafael Weigand
Most improved - Julien Beckensteiner

Men’s Basketball
Defensive Player - Josh Williams
Offensive Player - Turmaine Rice
Top Rebounder - Johnny Hodge
Assist Leader - Chad Akins
Most Improved - Anthony Fizer
Statesman Award - Justin Neely
Trace Frazier Award - Luke Townsend
Sixth Man Award - Derrick White

Football
Sam Rea Special Teams Player of the Year - Jerry Evans
Freddie Black Memorial - Robert Davis
Russ Hardin Award - Johnny Johnson
Offensive Lineman - Travis Mikel-Allen
Defensive Lineman - Chris Eccles
Offensive Back - Jeremy Ricks
Defensive Back - Monterio James
Hustle Award - Jamarcus Wiggins
Statesman Award - Michael Eubanks
Newcomer of the Year - Lardester Hicks
Academic Award - Timothy Johnson