CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University Athletics celebrated over 350 student-athletes at the 58th annual Green and White Awards on Monday, April 27 at the Bologna Performing Arts Center. Women's basketball's Dakiya Toney and football's Cole Kirk took home the Charles S. Kerg Senior Student-Athlete of the Year awards, presented to the top male and female student-athletes.
 

The Charles S. Kerg Senior Student-Athlete of the Year Award was established in 1968 by former Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach Horace McCool to honor the all-around student-athletes who excelled on the field, in the classroom, and within the campus and community.

Dakiya Toney was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year this season, as well as Third Team All-GSC. She led the team in rebounding, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game, and recorded six double-doubles throughout the year.

Cole Kirk is a two-time graduate of Delta State and played for the Statesmen football program for six seasons. He is a two-time Academic All-GSC selection, as he maintained a 4.0 GPA during his undergraduate and graduate career. He was named the 2025 Preseason All-GSC Quarterback.
 

The Statesmen and Lady Statesmen awards are given to athletes from each of our programs who truly embody what it means to represent our school, both on and off the field. These individuals are more than just outstanding athletes. They excel in competition, they achieve at a high level in the classroom, and they are committed to serving and strengthening our community. This year's recipients are below.

Baseball: Peyton Badon

Men's Basketball: Phillip Hughes

Women's Basketball: Adyson Roberts

Cheer: Justise Hawkins

Cross Country: Maeve Lavoy

Football: Gabe Schweitzer

Golf: Niko Salmi

Men's Soccer: Logan Funk

Women's Soccer: Kennedi Banar

Softball: Maeve Lavoy

Men's Swim & Dive: Mateus Franco

Women's Swim & Dive: Janne Bodemer

Men's Tennis: Valentin Greco

Women's Tennis: Yasmina Mayer

L-R (front) Mayer, Bodemer, Roberts, Hawkins, Lavoy, Banar

(back): Greco, Hughes, Badon, Funk, Franco, Salmi 

Each year, the Athletic Director's Academic Hall of Fame inducts the top male and female student-athlete with the highest GPA while recognizing the top men's and women's programs as well. The women's team with the highest GPA this academic year was women's tennis with a 3.82 institutional cumulative GPA through the Fall 2025 semester, while men's soccer was recognized as the men's team with the highest team 3.47 institutional cumulative GPA through the Fall 2025 semester,.

L-R: Dana George, Brady Roehm (FB), Emma Greene (WSWD), Mike Kinnison

The All-Newcomer Team Award honors one exceptional freshman or transfer student from each sport. These individuals didn't just join our teams—they transformed them. Their remarkable talent, unwavering dedication, and immediate contributions were pivotal to their teams' successes this season. This year's recipients are below.

Baseball: Tucker Jones

Men's Basketball: Elisha Puckett

Women's Basketball: Kennedee Shelton

Cheer: Jordan Ferrell

Cross Country: Lindsey Hogue

Football: Maliek Robertson

Golf: Cooper Jones

Men's Soccer: Elijah Belk

Women's Soccer: Emma Earwood

Softball: Carly Dunigan

Men's Swim & Dive: Neill Mauss

Women's Swim & Dive: Aspen Shipp

Men's Tennis: Alejandro Bravo

Women's Tennis: Amelia Ciesielczyk

L-R (front): Shelton, Hogue, Earwood, Dunigan, Shipp, Ciesielczyk

L-R (back): Puckett, Jones, T., Jones, C., Belk, Bravo

The Lawrence L. Stewart Service Award is presented annually in memory of Lawrence L. Stewart, who was President of the Athletic Alumni Association when he passed away in 1984. The award is given to a person who has supported and contributed, through their efforts and service, to DSU and its athletic program, coaches, and athletes. The award is chosen by the coaches and athletic staff at DSU. Steven Robinson received the award at this year's awards ceremony.

The Athletic Alumni Appreciation Award is given to a Delta State University faculty or staff member who has exhibited continued support and service to Statesmen and Lady Statesmen athletics during their tenure. Don Allan “Chip” Mitchell received the award at this year's awards ceremony.