Athletics Celebrates with Fourth Annual FLAMESPY Awards
4/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
Liberty Athletics celebrated another highly successful year of academics, athletics and community service at the fourth annual FLAMESPY Award show on Monday evening.
The elegant evening opened with a reception-style event for all of Liberty's student-athletes, coaches and special invited guests in the Schilling Center.
The glitz and glamour of the evening continued when the invitees start to make their way into the Tower Theater. Guests received the "red carpet treatment," including the flashes of the photographers and red carpet host interviews as they enter the Tower for the ceremony.
Once inside the Theater, guests were treated to a 90-minute show, hosted by Liberty Flames Sports Network reporter Alan York and Donna Barber. A total of 22 awards were presented throughout the night.
The event was spotlighted by senior baseball first baseman Alex Close being named the winner of the 2015 Rock Royer/Mac Rivera Award winners (Liberty Athletics' top student-athlete honor).
Following the show, Liberty's student-athletes, coaches and special invited guests returned to the Schilling Center for an additional time of celebration. The fun-filled post-show event gave the evening's attendees one last chance to congratulate the award winners and celebrate the soon-to-be completed athletics season.
AD – Commitment to Excellence Award
Award Description: Given to a senior student-athlete with a cumulative grade point average of a 4.0.
• Helen Doolittle (Field Hockey)
• Matt Pennington (Baseball)
• Megan Robinson (Softball)
• Brittany Yang (Women's Tennis)
Gifts of the Spirit Award
Award Description: Given annually to the tutor that exemplifies all of the fruits of the spirit while assisting student-athletes academically, socially and spiritually.
• Tyler Bunzey
Darius Dixon Service Award
Award Description: Given annually to a student-athlete or team who gives freely and unselfishly of their time to community activities, they inspire others and act as a role model as well as improve the lives of others through voluntary giving. The award is named in honor of former track & field student-athlete Darius Dixon, who was committed to community service before he tragically passed away on Dec. 7, 2013.
• Volleyball
Perseverance of Job
Award Description: Given to a student-athlete who has triumphed and overcome obstacles as well as difficulties over their Liberty University athletics career or in recent months.
• Yana Babbitt (Women's Track & Field)
Support Staff of the Year Award
Award Description: Presented annually to a member of the athletics department staff that athletics could not do without.
• Ryan Kindt (Director of Ticket Sales)
Best Clutch Performance
Award Description: Given to the best or most significant performance by a student-athlete in a game, match or meet.
• Caroline Douglas vs. Virginia (Volleyball)
Best Finish Award
Award Description: Given to the team or student-athlete with the best game, winning shot, goal, run or hit.
• Mallory Cuccio vs. No. 11 Louisville (Field Hockey)
Best Upset Award
Award Description: Given to the team or student-athlete with the best, most significant or most impressive upset of the year.
• Football defeats No. 1 Coastal Carolina on Nov. 22, 2014
Best Championship Performance Award
Award Description: Given to the best or most significant performance in a championship/postseason match, series or tournament.
• Aklesso Agama at 2015 Big South Indoor Track & Field Championship (Men's Track & Field)
Most Outstanding Team Award
Award Description: Given to the best team based on their record, conference championship wins and national rankings.
• Football
Play of the Year Award
Award Description: Given for the singe play or performance that made the most impact on a game or season.
• Chima Uzowihe vs. Coastal Carolina (Football)
Assistant Coach of the Year Award
Award Description: Presented to an assistant coach who helped their team achieve a high level of success athletically, academically, socially and spiritually.
• Jessica Barnes (Swimming & Diving)
Head Coach of the Year Award
Award Description: Presented to a head coach who guides their athletics program to reach the highest level of success athletically, academically, socially and spiritually.
• Jim Toman (Baseball)
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year Award
Award Description: Given to the student-athlete who made the most impact or significant breakthrough during their season.
• D.J. Abnar (Football)
Female Rookie Athlete of the Year Award
Award Description: Given to the female freshman or redshirt student-athlete who was dedicated, positive, hard-working, and made an immediate impact to their program.
• Katy Pridemore (Women's Lacrosse)
Male Rookie Athlete of the Year Award
Award Description: Given to the male freshmen or redshirt student-athlete who was dedicated, positive, hard-working, and made an immediate impact to their program.
• Jovanni Chavez (Men's Soccer)
Best Female Athlete of the Year Award
Award Description: Presented to an individual female student-athlete based on their yearly stats and athletics accolades.
• Ashley Rininger (Women's Basketball)
Best Male Athlete of the Year Award
Award Description: Presented to an individual male student-athlete based on their yearly stats and athletics accolades.
• Shawn Clowers (Baseball)
Rock Royer/Mac Rivera Award
Award Description: In 1975, the Rock Royer/Mac Rivera Award was established to honor the top graduating senior student-athlete at Liberty University who best exemplifies the standards and lives of both of these great Christian men. Rock Royer was Liberty's first football coach in 1973. Mac Rivera was a member of Liberty's basketball team from 1972 until 1975. Both Rock Royer and Mac Rivera tragically died at a young age. This award encompasses more than just athletic ability. It recognizes the Liberty University graduating senior student-athlete who has maintained an exemplary testimony on the playing field, in the classroom and among the student body.
• Alex Close (Baseball)
Dr. Jerry Falwell Leadership Award (Female and Male Award Winners)
Award Description: Presented annually to one male and one female who has exemplified Dr. Falwell's vision through leadership, commitment to academics, athletic talent and service to others.
• Mercedes Cox (Field Hockey/Women's Lacrosse)
• Dillon Segur (Men's Tennis)
Cornerstone Award
Award Description: Presented annually to an individual honoring their commitment to continue Dr. Jerry Falwell's vision of making Liberty Athletics one of the top NCAA Division I programs in the country.
• Ron Kennedy, Executive Vice President for Marketing
