NJCAA Review

NJCAA Summers of 2009-11

1

• NJCAA Review, o Summer 2011, Vol. 62, No. 10, pp 2-3 o Summer 2010, Vol. 61, No. 10, pp 1-3 o Summer 2009, Vol. 60, No. 10, pp 1-3

Student Assistant Colorado Springs, CO

2

DAVID ROWLANDS AWARD2011 NJCA A

DAVID ROWWLLAANNDDSS AAWARD2011 NJCA AA

NJCAA.ORG2 <

KEENYN WALKER!Baseball standout Keenyn Walker of Central

Arizona College is the 2011 NJCAA David Rowlands Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

The David Rowlands Award is given annually to a male NJCAA student-athlete that displays hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound outfielder from Salt Lake City, Utah is the fifth baseball player to receive the award.

Walker helped lead the Vaqueros to the 2011 NJCAA Division I World Series Championship Game, where they came up short 6-4 via a walk-off two run homer in the 10th inning to Navarro College (Texas). This was Central Arizona College’s best performance in NJCAA DI World Series since 2002, when the Vaqueros won the National Championship.

Known for his excellent speed, Walker led all of NJCAA DI baseball in stolen bases with 70 for the season. Even further, he had the second most runs scored among the NJCAA DI ranks with 84. He had an on-base percentage of .509 and a batting average of .412 in 238 at-bats. His 98 hits ranked second in the NJCAA as was his 10 triples. He also ranked in the Top 25 nationally with 59 RBI’s.

“His dedication to work hard and doing things right made him a very good baseball player-one that learned the importance of how to act both on and off the field,” said Central Arizona College head baseball coach Jon Wente. “He has meant so much to our baseball program both on and off the field.”

Along with earning First-Team Region 1 honors, Walker finished his final season for the Vaqueros as a NJCAA DI First-Team All-

American and as the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year. His 1.000 fielding percentage for the season also landed him on the 2011 NJCAA Division I Rawlings Gold Glove Team.

The switch-hitter was just recently drafted as a first round compensation pick for the Chicago White Sox, who selected him 47th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft, making him the 21st highest selection straight from an NJCAA program in the history of the MLB June First-Year Player Draft. This is the third time Walker has been drafted, as the Chicago Cubs selected him in the 16th round in 2009 and the Philadelphia Phillies drafted him in the 38th round in 2010. Walker recently signed a professional contract with the White Sox and is currently playing in the Pioneer League (Advanced Rookie League) in Montana for the Great Falls Voyagers. He made his pro debut on July 10th and hit a double in his first at-bat.

ABOUT THE DAVID ROWLANDS AWARDDavid Rowlands was an active member of the NJCAA. From 1972 to 1988 he was a regional director and from 1975 to 1988 was the chair of the NJCAA baseball committee. Rowlands, a baseball coach at Truman College (Chicago, Ill.), served on the NJCAA gymnastics, golf, executive and eligibility committees. Rowlands was the perfect model of hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics. This award is given annually to the NJCAA Student-Athlete that best exhibits these traits.

For a list of past winners visit www.njcaa.org.

By Gage AxfordNJCAA Student-Assistant

BETTY JO GRABER AWARD2011 NJCA A

° SUMMER 2011 > 3SPONSORED BY

MITSUKI KATAHIRA!T he NJCAA is proud to announce Mitsuki

Katahira of Daytona State College (Fla.), as the 2011 NJCAA Betty Jo Graber Female

Student-Athlete of the Year. The Betty Jo Graber Award is awarded annually to the top female student-athlete in the NJCAA that best exhibits hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in competition. Katahira is the second golfer to receive the Betty Jo Graber Award.

In her second season with Daytona State, the Kanagawa, Japan native did not finish lower than second place in tournament play. Katahira won nine of eleven tournaments in 2011 and was listed as the top female amateur player when the first rankings were released by World Amateur Golf Ranking system (she is currently ranked No. 2 as of July 1, 2011). Katahira also finished second among all collegiate women golfers in the Golfstat Cup Standings for this season. Her average round score was 71.10 and she shot under par in eight tournaments.

The two-time NJCAA First-Team All-American led the Falcons to two straight NJCAA Women’s Golf Championships, while also claiming two individual medalist titles in the process. She is the NJCAA record holder for the lowest individual three round total (211 in 2010) and lowest individual round score (64 in 2010) in NJCAA Women’s Golf Championship play. Even further, Katahira is also part of two NJCAA team records: lowest round score (280 in 2010) and lowest three-round team total (869 in 2010).

“Mitsuki is an outstanding athlete, student and person,” said Daytona State women’s golf

head coach Laura Brown. “She has an incredible work ethic and is a great role model for other student-athletes.”

Katahira plans to go through LPGA Qualifying School , which begins with Stage I qualifying in late July. If she advances through all three stages of the qualifying school, Katahira will have her LPGA Tour membership established by the end of December.

ABOUT THE BETTY JO GRABER AWARDBetty Jo Graber spent 35 years advancing opportunities for women in NJCAA athletics. Along with a successful basketball coaching career at Weatherford College, she was also the Region 5 Women’s Director, the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Committee Chair and a founding member of the NJCAA Women’s Division. Graber is a member of the inaugural class inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Tennessee. Graber was the perfect model of hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics. This award is given annually to the NJCAA Student-Athlete that best exhibits these traits.

For a list of past winners visit www.njcaa.org.

By Gage AxfordNJCAA Student-Assistant

3Betty Jo Graber Award

2

David Rowlands Award

Lea Plarski Award .......................................................... Inside Front-1

David Rowlands Award ........................................................................ 2

Betty Jo Graber Award ......................................................................... 3

4.0 Student Athletes ..........................................................................4-6

Distinguished Academic All-Americans .................................... 7-11

Final 2009-2010 NATYCAA Cup Standings ...........................12-13

Academic All-Americans .............................................................14-19

2010 NJCAA Spring Academic Teams of the Year .............. 20-21

Athletes that have been recognized at previous CTSA banquets include St. Louis Cardinal slugger and former NJCAA All-American Albert Pujols, New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett, former Houston Astro Craig Biggio, Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwyn, Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Crawford, NFL quarterback Marc Bulger, NBA veteran Grant Hill and many more.

For more information on the National Sportsmanship Awards visit www.nationalsportsmanshipawards.com.

PAST LEA PLARSKI AWARD RECIPIENTSYear Name Sport College, State

1995-1996 John Combs Basketball Lees College, Ky. Amy Parker Bball/Softball Jones County JC, Miss.1996-1997 George Russell Football Jones County JC, Miss. Sanders Amy Lucas Tennis Middle Georgia College, Ga.1997-1998 Douglas Bates Baseball Pensacola JC, Fla. Terra Sarnacki-Royer XC/Track/ SUNY-Cobleskill, N.Y. Swimming1998-1999 Sarah Wood Soccer St. Louis CC, Mo.1999-2000 Larry Scheller Soccer Belleville Area CC, Ill.2000-2001 Mindy Madewell Basketball Connors State College, Okla.2001-2002 Jermaine Harris Football Georgia Military College, Ga.2002-2003 Melanie Mendrop Soccer Hinds CC, Miss.2003-2004 Theresa Berry Volleyball Bevill State CC, Ala.2004-2005 Kayla Shaul Golf Daytona Beach CC, Fla.2005-2006 Patrick Lepper Basketball John Wood CC, Ill.2006-2007 Angela Verbeelen Softball Florida CC, Fla.2007-2008 Christopher Glaze Baseball Jones County JC, Miss.2008-2009 Geofrey Kalanzi Soccer Dakota County TC, Minn.2009-2010 Jocelyn Fischer Tennis Adirondack CC, N.Y.

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NJCAA

12-13

NATYCAA Awards

> 1

2010 NJCAALEA PLARSKI AWARD

FISCHER

ADIRONDACK’S JOCELYN FISCHER RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS NJCAA LEA PLARSKI AWARD By Gage Axford, NJCAA Student-AssistantThe National Junior College Athletic Association is proud to announce Jocelyn Fischer of Adirondack Community College (N.Y.) as the winner of the 2009-2010 NJCAA Lea Plarski Award. The Plarski Award is handed out annually by the NJCAA to the student-athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, and community service and academic excellence, coupled with athletic ability and achievement.

With her enthusiastic vigor, Fischer led Adirondack as captain of the women’s tennis squad, while also contributing in several important roles in her community. Fischer, inspired by her deep passion for helping others, is currently pursuing a degree in nursing, and thus far has exceeded regular responsibilities of most in the profession.

While maintaining a 3.21 GPA, Fischer has found time to volunteer as a Critical-Care EMT with the Hague, N.Y., Volunteer Fire Department and Warrensburg, N.Y., EMS, while also taking firefighting training courses on the side. On top of that, Fischer took it upon herself to create her own training videos to help instruct fellow EMS staff members and students. In addition to her videos, she teaches EMT continuing education courses, is the webmaster of the HVFD website and regularly visits local schools to lecture about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Outside of her commitments in the medical service community, Fischer has volunteered for the past seven years at the Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center and family camp giving tennis lessons, teaching weight training, first-aid courses, lifeguarding, and photography classes, while also helping with marketing and day-to-day operations.

Her character and leadership on the tennis court is just as impressive. Fischer is described as an energetic, enthusiastic, and amicable individual who has an immense amount of dedication along with an incredible work ethic.

It was these characteristics that guided Fischer to earn both All-Mountain Valley Conference and All-Region 3 honors in back-to-back seasons at Adirondack. She was the No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles finalist the past two seasons in Region 3. Her ability and leadership helped guide Adirondack to its first undefeated regular season in school history in 2008-2009.

Despite her busy schedule, the two-time Adirondack Female Athlete of the Year has also found time to showcase her great athleticism by running in two triathlons and by obtaining a Black Belt in Taekwondo.

She also traveled to South Africa to study nursing through the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Fischer, a NJCAA Distinguished Academic All-American in 2008-2009, looks to continue to pursue her nursing degree.

The 2010 NJCAA Lea Plarski Award will be presented to Fischer at the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) 12th Annual AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards banquet, at a date and time that will be released in the upcoming weeks. The CTSA is the largest coalition of professional and amateur athletics organizations in the United States focused on character in sports.

Tabbed the ‘Most Inspiring Night in Sports’, the National Sportsmanship Awards banquet honors the nation’s top athletes and administrators who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship, citizenship, ethical conduct and community service. Award recipients represent the CTSA’s member organizations, including the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, National Federation of State High School Associations, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.

Fischer serves as a Critical-Care EMT with the Hague, N.Y., Volunteer Fire Department and also handles webmaster duties for the HVFD website. Photo courtesy of Adirondack CC, N.Y.

Fischer (far left) spends her time off the tennis court as a member of the Warrensburg, N.Y., EMS unit. Photo courtesy of Adirondack CC, N.Y.

A certified Critical-Care EMT, Fischer also teaches EMT continuing education courses. Photo courtesy of Adirondack CC, N.Y.

®

NJCAA ° SUMMER 2010 NJCAA ° SUMMER 2010 SPONSORED BY

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.NJCAA.ORG2 <

THE NJCAA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE RICARDO RATLIFFE OF THECOLLEGE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2010 NJCAADAVID ROWLANDS MALE STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD.

By Gage Axford, NJCAA Student-Assistant

The David Rowlands Award is given annually to a male NJCAA student-athlete that displays hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics. Ratliffe, a 6’9”, 240-pound basketball talent from Hampton, Va., performed in exemplary fashion, breaking multiple school records and racking up accolades seldom earned in NJCAA basketball.

Throughout his two years in the NJCAA, Ratliffe established an impressive resume, averaging 27 points and 11 rebounds per game during his two seasons at Central Florida. As a freshman last year, Ratliffe set a new school record for total points scored in a season with 798 points, while earning All-Region 8 and First-Team NJCAA All-American honors. He led all scorers in NJCAA Division I basketball (26.5 ppg) and ranked 10th in rebounding (11.0 rpg).

Ratliffe continued his dominance during the 2009-2010 season, breaking his previous Central Florida record of 798 total points scored in a season by posting a total of 855 points during his sophomore campaign. Along with his season record, Ratliffe set a new school mark for most points scored in a career. His two-year total of 1653 points shattered the previous school record of 1346 points that stood for 25 years.

For the 2009-2010 season he finished second in the NJCAA Division I ranks in scoring (27.4 ppg) and 10th in rebounds (11.2 rpg). Ratliffe again earned NJCAA First-Team All-American honors in 2009-2010, receiving

the honor for the second straight season – a feat only accomplished 13 times in NJCAA basketball history. The last two players to earn First-Team All-American honors in NJCAA Division I men’s basketball were Larry Johnson (1987-1988, 1988-1989 - Odessa College, Texas) and Cory Cooperwood (2006-2007, 2007-2008 - Wallace State CC-Hanceville, Ala.).

To no surprise, Ratliffe was tabbed as the top junior college basketball recruit in the nation this past season. He was heavily recruited by top NCAA Division I programs such as Alabama, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Missouri, and South Carolina. The Virginia native recently made the decision to continue his education and basketball career at the University of Missouri.

ABOUT THE DAVID ROWLANDS AWARD

David Rowlands was an active member of the NJCAA. From 1972 to 1988 he was a regional director and from 1975 to 1988 was the chair of the NJCAA baseball committee. Rowlands, a baseball coach at Truman College (Chicago, Ill.), served on the NJCAA gymnastics, golf, executive and eligibility committees. Rowlands was the perfect model of hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics. This award is given annually to the NJCAA Student-Athlete that best exhibits these traits.

Two time NJCAA 1st Team All-American, Ratliffe set a new school record at the College of Central Florida scoring 1,653 points in his career.

2010 NJCAADAVID ROWLANDS AWARD

Year Name Sport College, State

1992-1993 Mike Worley Basketball Coffeyville CC, Kan.1993-1994 Eddie Samuel Basketball Pensacola JC, Fla.1994-1995 Joe Michael Robertson Football Jones County JC, Miss.1995-1996 Doug Thompson Baseball Mississippi Gulf Coast CC1996-1997 William Gladness Basketball Carl Albert State College, Okla. 1997-1998 Shawn Marion Basketball Vincennes University, Ind.1998-1999 Anthony Evans Basketball Neosho County CC, Kan.1999-2000 Mario Toledo Tennis Georgia Perimeter College2000-2001 Marc Dunn Football Ricks College, Idaho2001-2002 Cory Patton Baseball Seward County CC, Kan.2002-2003 Filiberto Rivera Basketball Southeastern CC, Iowa2003-2004 Larry Kendrick Football Pearl River CC, Miss.2004-2005 Michael Murray Baseball Meridian CC, Miss2005-2006 Brian Flores Baseball New Mexico JC2006-2007 Cody Jamieson Lacrosse Onondaga CC, N.Y.2007-2008 Devron Bostick Basketball SW Illinois College, Ill.2008-2009 Chris Mason XC/T&F SUNY – Delhi, N.Y.2009-2010 Ricardo Ratliffe Basketball College of Central Florida

PAST DAVID ROWLANDS AWARD RECIPIENTS


NJCAA ° SUMMER 2010 SPONSORED BY > 3

2010 NJCAA BETTY JO GRABER FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR HONORAWARDED TO KELLY CLOSSE OF SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE (TEXAS)

By Gage Axford, NJCAA Student Assistant

The 2009-2010 recipient of the NJCAA Betty Jo Graber Female Student-Athlete of the Year is Kelly Closse of South Plains College (Texas). The Lady Texan dominated the sport of track and field during her two years in the NJCAA, winning multiple national titles.

The Betty Jo Graber Award is handed out annually to the top female student-athlete in the NJCAA that best exhibits hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in competition.

Closse’s strength and commitment to her sport resulted into several school and NJCAA accolades. She is a five-time NJCAA champion, winning the indoor weight throw and shot put events in 2009, the Division I outdoor shot put in 2009 and 2010 and the Division I outdoor discus throw in 2010.

With Closse on the roster, South Plains was able to capture back-to-back NJCAA Women’s Division I Outdoor Track & Field titles in 2009 and 2010 in addition to the NJCAA Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championship in 2009. Along with her championship success, the French-born talent placed herself as one of the greatest throwers in NJCAA history. Closse holds NJCAA championship records for both the indoor and outdoor shot put. She set both the indoor mark (52’ 9.5”) and outdoor record (52’ 8.25”) in 2009.

In addition to her records, Closse was named the Female Field Athlete of the Meet at the 2009 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. Closse,

who also owns SPC school records in the indoor shot put and weight throw and outdoor records for hammer throw, shot put, and discus throw, will continue her education and track & field career at Texas Tech University.

Closse is the second student-athlete from South Plains to receive theBetty Jo Graber Award. Former Lady Texan Sally Kipyego won the honor for the 2005-2006 academic year.

ABOUT THE BETTY JO GRABER AWARD

Betty Jo Graber spent 35 years advancing opportunities for women in NJCAA athletics. Along with a successful basketball coaching career at Weatherford College, she was also the Region 5 Women’s Director, the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Committee Chair and a founding member of the NJCAA Women’s Division. Graber is a member of the inaugural class inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Tennessee. Graber was the perfect model of hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics. This award is given annually to the NJCAA Student-Athlete that best exhibits these traits.

Closse was a five-time NJCAA Champion in women’s track & field. Her specialty was the shot put where she won three national titles and holds the national championship indoor and outdoor meet record. Photo courtesy of South Plains College, Texas.

2010 NJCAABETTY JO GRABER AWARD


1992-1993 Carey Burton Volleyball Barton County CC, Kan.1993-1994 Nema Corey Softball Meridian CC , Miss.1994-1995 Kay Mannebach XC & Track Colby CC, Kan.1995-1996 Tricia Ferrin Basketball Utah Valley State College1996-1997 Nicole Weed, Softball Daytona Beach CC, Fla.1997-1998 Kaunda Kay Williams Basketball Gulf Coast CC, Fla.1998-1999 Yalika “Boo” Barnes Basketball Trinity Valley CC, Texas1999-2000 Devra Viekant XC & Track Utah Valley State College2000-2001 Stephanie Martin Volleyball College of S. Idaho2001-2002 Yuliana Perez Track & Field Pima CC, Ariz.2002-2003 Natashia Morehead Basketball Gulf Coast CC, Fla.2003-2004 Heidi Brooks Bball/Softball Corning CC, N.Y.2004-2005 Chelsie Mesa Softball Phoenix College, Ariz.2005-2006 Sally Kipyego Track & Field South Plains College, Texas2006-2007 Kristina Jenkins Bowling Hudson Valley CC, N.Y.2007-2008 Lindsey Palmer Softball Salt Lake CC, Utah2008-2009 Nicole Race Golf Redlands CC, Okla.2009-2010 Kelly Closse T&F South Plains College, Texas

PAST BETTY JO GRABER AWARD RECIPIENTS

> 3NJCAA ° SUMMER 2010 SPONSORED BY

NJCAA ° SUMMER 2009

3

Betty Jo Graber Award

2

David Rowlands Award

Lea Plarski Award .......................................................... Inside Front-1

David Rowlands Award ........................................................................ 2

Betty Jo Graber Award ......................................................................... 3

4.0 Student Athletes ..........................................................................4-6

Distinguished Academics All-Americans ................................. 7-11

Final 2008-09 NATYCAA Cup Standings ................................12-13

Academic All-Americans .............................................................14-18

2009 NJCAA Spring Academic Teams of the Year .............. 19-21

2009 NJCAALEA PLARSKI AWARD

UGANDAN NATIVE GEOFREY KALANZI OF DAKOTA COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (MINN.) RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS NJCAA LEA PLARSKI AWARD

By Gage Axford, NJCAA Student-AssistantThe National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is proud to announce Geofrey Kalanzi of Dakota County Technical College (Minn.) as the winner of the 2008-2009 NJCAA Lea Plarski Award. The Plarski Award is handed out annually by the NJCAA to the student-athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, community service and academic excellence, coupled with athletic ability and achievement.

The Kampala, Uganda native excelled on and off the soccer field, epitomizing a clear model of selflessness and dedication, while showing great strength during times of immense adversity.

At the age of 13, Kalanzi along with his two brothers and one sister lost both parents to the AIDS epidemic. This left him and his siblings homeless, hungry, and with no education or medical attention. The Kalanzi children’s fate turned for the better when they met David and Aimee Kyambadde. David was a local Ugandan born outside Kampala, while Aimee was a U.S. citizen from Minnesota. The Kyambadde’s warmly welcomed the children into their newly built Home Again Orphanage and taught them life lessons such as self-respect and responsibility.

Not long after entering the Home Again Orphanage, Geofrey Kalanzi assumed the role of “house father” and began helping other children in their transition from a homeless lifestyle into an orphanage setting. He also played on the orphanage soccer team and eventually earned a scholarship to play at a three week tournament in Cologne, Germany.

While back in the United States, Aimee Kyambadde was introduced to Dakota County Technical College men’s soccer coach Cam Stoltz. From this meeting, Kalanzi and his brother Moses ultimately were given scholarships to play

soccer at DCTC. The two lived with Aimee’s parents in Eden Prairie, Minn.

“Geofrey discovered the DCTC soccer program after Aimee (Kyambadde) met Katie Nelson, a player on the 2006–2007 Blue Knights women’s soccer team who was interested in working in Uganda,” explained Stoltz. “Katie introduced me to Aimee and from there Geoff and Moses were recruited to play soccer while studying for their degrees.”

Throughout his two years in Minnesota, Kalanzi volunteered at the Resurrection Life Church where Aimee Kymbadde’s parents served as senior pastors. He was involved with the church choir, worship team, and also led a class on African heritage.

Sharing his life story and educating people about African culture has been a major objective of Kalanzi’s since arriving in the United States. At a recent DCTC campus event called “Stories of Students”, Kalanzi spoke about his adversities growing up as an orphan and the struggles young Ugandan’s face with poverty and AIDS.

Kalanzi was also very active at DCTC in a variety of leadership roles. He served two years as a Student Ambassador and two terms as a Student Senator. He was a member of Multicultural Student Leadership Association and managed finances for the American Marketing Association Club.

“As a DCTC Student Ambassador and Senator, Geoff impressed students, faculty and campus visitors with his intelligence and engaging personality,” said Stoltz. “The story of how he overcame tremendous hardships stands as a lasting inspiration to everyone who has come to know him.”

On the soccer field, Kalanzi voluntarily moved to goalkeeper during his first season after the team was plagued with injuries.

“During Geoff’s first season on the team, we lost our starting goalkeeper. Geoff stepped up and took on the position. His unselfish commitment to the team earned him the Blue Knight Award, the college’s highest athletic honor,” recalled coach Stoltz.

He covered goal in 21 games, totaling 1,881 minutes of playing time with 171 saves and allowed an average of 2.29 goals a game. He went back to his more familiar position of midfielder for the 2008 season and totaled 18 points with seven goals and four assists.

Kalanzi was named Academic All-Region both of his years on campus and was a 2008 Second-Team All-Region 11 honoree. He also was the 2007 recipient of the DCTC’s Blue Knight Award.

In the classroom Kalanzi boasts a 3.91 cumulative GPA while majoring as a Buisness Marketing Specialist.

“Geofrey was an ideal student for our program because of the balance and scope of excellence he brings to everything he does,” said a passionate Stoltz. “We are proud of Geoff’s accomplishments—especially as a member of our overall college community. We trust that he leaves here a better scholar and athlete. We know that we are a better college for having enrolled him as a student.”

Kalanzi will be furthering his education and soccer career at College of St. Scholastica (NCAA Division III) in Duluth, Minn. He plans to return to his hometown in Uganda to start his own orphanage after completing his education.

The 2009 NJCAA Lea Plarski Award will be presented to Kalanzi at the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) 11th Annual AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards banquet, which will be held Nov. 21, 2009 in St. Louis, Mo.

The CTSA is the largest coalition of professional and amateur athletics organizations in the United Stats focused on character in sports.

Tabbed the ‘Most Inspiring Night in Sports’, The National Sportsmanship Awards banquet honors the nation’s top athletes and administrators who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship, citizenship, ethical conduct and community service. Award recipients represent the CTSA’s member organizations, including the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, National Federation of State High School Associations, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.

Athletes that have been recognized at previous CTSA banquets include St. Louis Rams’ linebacker Chris Draft, St. Louis Blues’ goalie Manny Legace, former St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Rick Horton, former Houston Astros second baseman Craig Biggio and Hall of Famer Tony Gwyn.

For more information on the National Sportsmanship Awards visit www.nationalsportsmanshipawards.com.

PAST LEA PLARSKI AWARD RECIPIENTSYear Name Sport College, State

1995-1996 John Combs Basketball Lees College, Ky. Amy Parker Bball/Softball Jones County JC, Miss.1996-1997 George Russell Football Jones County JC, Miss. Sanders Amy Lucas Tennis Middle Georgia College, Ga.1997-1998 Douglas Bates Baseball Pensacola JC, Fla. Terra Sarnacki-Royer XC/Track/ SUNY-Cobleskill, N.Y. Swimming1998-1999 Sarah Wood Soccer St. Louis CC, Mo.1999-2000 Larry Scheller Soccer Belleville Area CC, Ill.2000-2001 Mindy Madewell Basketball Connors State College, Okla.2001-2002 Jermaine Harris Football Georgia Military College, Ga.2002-2003 Melanie Mendrop Soccer Hinds CC, Miss.2003-2004 Theresa Berry Volleyball Bevill State CC, Ala.2004-2005 Kayla Shaul Golf Daytona Beach CC, Fla.2005-2006 Patrick Lepper Basketball John Wood CC, Ill.2006-2007 Angela Verbeelen Softball Florida CC, Fla.2007-2008 Christopher Glaze Baseball Jones County JC, Miss.2008-2009 Geofrey Kalanzi Soccer Dakota County TC, Minn.

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NJCAA

Despite all the adversities he has faced, Kalanzi is described by DCTC men’s soccer coach Cam Stoltz as an ‘inspiration to everyone who has come to know him.’

Kalanzi (far right), seen here at the Home Again Orphanage in Uganda, wants to open his own orphanage in his native country once he completes his education.

Above, center: Kalanzi unselfishly moved from midfielder to goalkeeper his first year on the DCTC soccer team.

12-13

NATYCAA Awards

>


SUNY – DELHI’S CHRIS MASON NAMED 2009 NJCAA DAVID ROWLANDS AWARD WINNER

By Gage Axford, NJCAA Student-Assistant

For the first time in NJCAA history, a cross country/track & field athlete will receive the honorary title of David Rowlands Male Student Athlete of the Year. Chris Mason of SUNY-Delhi and seven-time NJCAA All-American received the prestigious award for 2009. The David Rowlands Award is given annually to a male NJCAA student-athlete that displays hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics.

Mason produced an incredible NJCAA career, boasting back to back championships in three categories: NJCAA Division III Cross Country (2007 and 2008), NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field 10,000 meters (2008 and 2009) and NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field 5,000 meters (2008 and 2009). He is the only male athlete ever to repeat as individual champion in DIII cross country. Last year he also set championship meet records in the DIII outdoor track & field 5,000 and 10,000 meter races with times of 15:15.15 and 32:12.32, respectively.

Also in 2009, Mason finished third in the 1,500 meters and fourth in the Steeplechase at the 2009 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Mason’s other accomplishments include a fourth place finish at the NJCAA Half Marathon in the fall of 2008 and a fifth place showing at the 2009 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 5,000 meters.

“Chris’s success has come through his work ethic and dedication,” explains SUNY – Delhi cross country head coach and Athletic Director Bob Backus. “He’s certainly not the fastest runner that I’ve ever coached

but he’s the most determined. I’m convinced that if he had to, he could run the 10,000 meter trials on Friday and come back on Saturday for the finals.”

Mason’s hard work and determination fueled the SUNY – Delhi men’s cross country team to back-to-back DIII national championships in 2007 and 2008. He then guided the track & field team to two top five finishes at the NJCAA DIII Track & Field Championships, taking fourth in 2008 and second in 2009.

A recent signee to a NCAA Letter of Intent to Middle Tennessee State University, Mason was an eight-time NJCAA Region 3 Champion with two cross country titles, three indoor championships and three outdoor crowns. He was also named SUNY – Delhi’s Athlete of the Year for 2008 and 2009 and managed to be named Region 3 Athlete of the Week three times in his career.

ABOUT THE DAVID ROWLANDS AWARDDavid Rowlands was an active member of the NJCAA. From 1972 to 1988 he was a regional director and from 1975 to 1988 was the chair of the NJCAA baseball committee. Rowlands, a baseball coach at Truman College (Chicago, Ill.), served on the NJCAA gymnastics, golf, executive and eligibility committees. Rowlands was the perfect model of hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics. This award is given annually to the NJCAA Student-Athlete that best exhibits these traits.

Chris Mason had a very successful two years at SUNY – Delhi, earning NJCAA All-American honors seven times. Photo courtesy of SUNY – Delhi.


1992-1993 Mike Worley Basketball Coffeyville CC, Kan.1993-1994 Eddie Samuel Basketball Pensacola JC, Fla.1994-1995 Joe Michael Robertson Football Jones County JC, Miss.1995-1996 Doug Thompson Baseball Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Miss.1996-1997 William Gladness Basketball Carl Albert State College, Okla. 1997-1998 Shawn Marion Basketball Vincennes University, Ind.1998-1999 Anthony Evans Basketball Neosho County CC, Kan.1999-2000 Mario Toledo Tennis Georgia Perimeter College, Ga.2000-2001 Marc Dunn Football Ricks College, Idaho2001-2002 Cory Patton Baseball Seward County CC, Kan.2002-2003 Filiberto Rivera Basketball Southeastern CC, Iowa2003-2004 Larry Kendrick Football Pearl River CC, Miss.2004-2005 Michael Murray Baseball Meridian CC, Miss2005-2006 Brian Flores Baseball New Mexico JC, N.M.2006-2007 Cody Jamieson Lacrosse Onondaga CC, N.Y.2007-2008 Devron Bostick Basketball SW Illinois College, Ill.2008-2009 Chris Mason XC/T&F SUNY – Delhi; Delhi, N.Y.

Above: Chris Mason won both the 2007 and 2008 individual national championship in Division III Cross Country – the first person to ever repeat as champion. Photo courtesy of Dan Aurelio of Digital Photography.

2009 NJCAADAVID ROWLANDS AWARD

PAST DAVID ROWLANDS AWARD RECIPIENTS

NJCAA ° SUMMER 2009 > 3

RACE

NICOLE RACE OF REDLANDS (OKLA.) HONORED WITH 2009 NJCAA BETTY JO GRABER AWARD

By Gage Axford, NJCAA Student Assistant

The 2009 NJCAA Betty Jo Graber Female Student Athlete of the Year has been awarded to Nicola Race of Redlands Community College, Okla. The two-time First-Team NJCAA All-American golfer has displayed a strong work ethic on and off the field, which has resulted in a stellar NJCAA career. She is the first golfer to receive the Betty Jo Graber Award.

The Witham, Essex native of the United Kingdom compiled an impressive list of accomplishments throughout her NJCAA career, winning tournaments such as the Southern Nazerene Invitational and the Mary Hardin Baylor Invitational. She also finished as runner-up at the Texas A&M Commerce Invitational, the McNeese State University Invitational, and the Cameron University Invitational.

Race helped lead Redlands to two NJCAA Women’s Golf Championships and became the first female golfer in NJCAA history to win back-to-back individual national titles (2008, 2009). In addition to all her tournament success, Race led all two-year college women’s golfers with a 78.32 scoring average in 2009. She also won the Region 2 Women’s Golf Championship twice (2008, 2009) and was at two-time All-Region 2 honoree.

“We are very pleased that Nicole has received this honor,” said Redlands women’s head golf coach Gerrod Chadwell. “It is very fitting that she has received this honor as she is the first back-to-back medalist in women’s golf. She earned everything via hard work and it couldn’t have been awarded to a better person than Nicole.”

The former member of the Select South East Squad of the English Women’s Golf Association, Race will continue her education and golf career at the University of Missouri.

“The RCC community will miss Nicole,” added Chadwell, “but I believe she will do some very special things at Missouri just as she did at Redlands.”

ABOUT THE BETTY JO GRABER AWARDBetty Jo Graber spent 35 years advancing opportunities for women in NJCAA athletics. Along with a successful basketball coaching career at Weatherford College, she was also the Region 5 Women’s Director, the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Committee Chair and a founding member of the NJCAA Women’s Division. Graber is a member of the inaugural class inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Tennessee. Graber was the perfect model of hard work, discipline, ethics and excellence in community college athletics. This award is given annually to the NJCAA Student-Athlete that best exhibits these traits.Nicole Race (left) and teammates Andrea Kaelin (middle) and Emily Kwak (right) celebrate Redlands’

2009 NJCAA Women’s Golf Championship, which was the program’s second consecutive title. Photo courtesy of Redlands Community College.


1992-1993 Carey Burton Volleyball Barton County CC, Kan.1993-1994 Nema Corey Softball Meridian CC Miss.1994-1995 Kay Mannebach XC & Track Colby CC, Kan.1995-1996 Tricia Ferrin Basketball Utah Valley State College, Utah1996-1997 Nicole Weed, Softball Daytona Beach CC, Fla.1997-1998 Kaunda Kay Williams Basketball Gulf Coast CC, Fla.1998-1999 Yalika “Boo” Barnes Basketball Trinity Valley CC; Athens, Texas1999-2000 Devra Viekant XC & Track Utah Valley State College, Utah2000-2001 Stephanie Martin Volleyball College of S. Idaho, Idaho2001-2002 Yuliana Perez Track & Field Pima CC, Ariz.2002-2003 Natashia Morehead Basketball Gulf Coast CC, Fla.2003-2004 Heidi Brooks Bball/Softball Corning CC, N.Y.2004-2005 Chelsie Mesa Softball Phoenix College, Ariz.2005-2006 Sally Kipyego Track & Field South Plains College, Texas2006-2007 Kristina Jenkins Bowling Hudson Valley CC, N.Y.2007-2008 Lindsey Palmer Softball Salt Lake CC, Utah2008-2009 Nicole Race Golf Redlands CC, Okla. Above: Nicole Race took first place at both the 2008 and 2009 NJCAA Women’s Golf Championships to

become the first back-to-back medalist. Photo courtesy of Redlands Community College.

2009 NJCAABETTY JO GRABER AWARD

PAST BETTY JO GRABER AWARD RECIPIENTS

Documents

NJCAA Review