Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College athletic department held its annual Celebration of Excellence this past Wednesday night in The Courts of Southwell Complex on the campus of Columbia College. Members of the Cougar athletic department, select professors, and Cougar supporters were recognized by family members, Cougar fans, and Columbia College faculty and staff for their academic and athletic accomplishments during the 2018-19 academic year. Spring sports that are currently in their 2019 seasons were recognized for their accomplishments from their 2018 seasons.
The evening started off with recognition of all the senior student athletes, athletic training student organization members and graduate assistants. Each of the seniors was given a one-of-a-kind gift courtesy of L.C. Betz Jewelers. Four-year seniors also received a hooded sweatshirt. The presentations were read by Dr. Terry Smith, professor of political science and longtime friend of the athletic department.
The first award of the evening was the Virginia & Stanley Williams Award. This award is given annually to the graduating senior student-athlete with the highest GPA. This award was made possible through a generous gift from the Williams Family. This year we had three students who fit this category, from Esports Joey Gorombey, Runner Seth Schenck, and Runner Pia Von Keutz. They all have carried a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout their entire career at Columbia College.
The night continued on in an award show format and everyone was reminded of each programs incredible season through a video summary, beginning with the spring sports from last year and concluding with the men's and women's basketball teams of this current year. At the end of each video summary a PAW Award winner was named. The PAW awards are given to one player from each team that shows great Passion, Attitude and Work Ethic within their sport. These awards were selected by the head coach for each program. The PAW Award winners were as follows:
Softball: Molly Carter
Baseball: Gavin Jones
Golf: Michelle Clark and Daymond Dollens
Lacrosse: Jordan Stephens
Women's Soccer: Emma Laney
Men's Soccer: Mako Makoanyane
Volleyball: Sidney Branson
Cross Country/Track and Field: Jacob Jenkins, Lucia Vega/Malachi Jackson, Meaghan Rice
Bowling: Emma West
eSports: Ian Alexander
Men's Basketball: Darrick Ellis
Women's Basketball: Alexis Uffmann
A new award was introduced this year called the Chuck Bobbitt Scholarship Fund. In 2007, the family and friends of former softball coach and athletic director Chuck Bobbitt got together to create an endowed scholarship to honor the work of Chuck at Columbia College. Each year, the hope is to award this scholarship to a deserving student-athlete within the softball program who checks all the boxes, such as incredible player, great teammate, and a quality citizen on campus. Columbia College is privileged to have Chuck's granddaughter on the team this year who has previously been a recipient of the award. This annual award will be announced at the Celebration of Excellence banquet, and funds will be able to be used during the next academic year. This year's recipient of the Chuck Bobbitt Scholarship was Allison Keen.
There were several awards this year that were voted on by athletic council members, head coaches, or by members of the athletic department awards committee.
Best Performing Artist: Jalen Olds
Top Newcomer: Manuela Vargas
Most School Spirit: Erin Jones
Female Freshman of the Year: Lexi Dickerson
Male Freshman of the Year: Adam Debski
Worst Performing Artist: Men's Basketball
Top Breakout Performer: Sam Crum
Glow Up Award: Lexi Dickerson
Team Champions of Character: Lacrosse team
Face Magnet Award: Alexis Uffmann
Professor of the Year: Dr. Ken Akers
Best Facial Hair: Adam Debski
Worst Dancer: Mark Haire
Top Comeback Athlete: Kenny Piper
Best Celebrity Look-Alike: Pia Von Keutz
Top Play: Dakota Newton
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Joey Koetting and Daymond Dollens
Male Athlete of the Year: Tyler Lawson
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Kelsey Mirts and Rachel Sullivan
Female Athlete of the Year: Morgan Brandt
The second new award introduced during the evening was the Burdette Frew Family Scholarship. Earlier this year, the family of former women's soccer player Laurie Frew, came together to create an endowed scholarship that would help support a men's or women's soccer player. The plan is to award this scholarship annually to a deserving student-athlete, to be used during the next academic year at Columbia College. This year's recipient of the Frew Family Scholarship was Kate Marshall.
Another new tradition that began was the awarding of the Bob Burchard Celebration of Excellence Scholarship. Simply put, this scholarship is intended to help a student-athlete get to the finish line. Whether the support is to help a student who is no longer able to compete, someone who finished their eligibility and has additional classes to finish to complete their degree, or a student who is interested in athletic administration. These funds will help those chosen to get to their ultimate goal of graduation from Columbia College. The first recipient of the Bob Burchard Celebration of Excellence Scholarship was Shon Hartzler.
Greg Johnston and Patricia Churchill were the recipients of the Koepke Family Service Award. The Koepke & Stafford families have been longtime friends and supporters of the college and the athletic department. Stafford Library, the Arena of Southwell Complex and the Koepke Fitness Center have all been created by or renovated because of charitable giving from the Koepke Family. In addition to their giving, the family has had a presence at home and away games for nearly 30 years. They regularly invite teams over to their house for meals and love to be connected to the student experience. This award, appropriately named, is given annually to a member of our Cougar Family that exemplifies the spirit of the Koepke Family and the willingness to support in their own special way.
Thank you to everyone that helped make this night a success!
