Sports

Great American Conference issues scholar, sportsmanship awards

Published

5 months ago

July 25, 2025

The Great American Conference named Harding University’s record-setting basketball star Sage Hawley as its 2024-2025 Female Scholar Athlete of the Year on Wednesday, according to a news release.

Hawley became the fourth Lady Bison to receive the honor, tying with East Central University for the most honorees in league history.

Hawley joins fellow former Bisons basketball players Kristen Celsor and Arielle Saunders, who won in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, respectively.

Harding’s track and field All-American Anna Kay Clark claimed the award last year.

Hawley won her second College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honor in 2025. She earned a 3.79 GPA in information systems as a graduate student.

Earning GAC Tournament MVP honors, Hawley led the Lady Bisons to a 69-52 win against Southeastern Oklahoma. The net cutting victory was Harding’s first GAC Championship since 2017.

Hawley became a two-time All-American after finishing her career as just the third player in NCAA Division II history with at least 2,300 points and 1,300 rebounds.

2024-2025 GAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Year nominees

Softball

Northwestern Oklahoma State’s Ashley Low (volleyball, softball and track and field), University of Arkansas-Monticello’s Kyann Woods and East Central’s Taylor Spence.

Soccer

Ouachita Baptist’s Abbey Moore and Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Anna Bager.

Basketball

Henderson State University’s Bobbi Bazzle, SAU’s Marlee Bright and Southern Nazarene’s Hannah Giddey.

Cross Country, Track and Field

Arkansas Tech’s Mackenzie Epperson, Oklahoma Baptist’s Sophia Strange and Southeastern Oklahoma’s Emma Berry.

Male Scholar Athlete of the Year

The Great American Conference named Southern Nazarene track and field athlete Colter Bufford as its 2024-2025 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year on Wednesday, a news release said.

Bufford became the second Crimson Storm track and athlete to win the honor. He captured Southern Nazarene’s first GAC title in the javelin. While at the GAC Championships, he broke the meet record and the school record with a mark of 67.35 meters.

Bufford ranked No. 14 in the nation in the event while qualifying for the NCAA Championships.

Bufford has a 4.0 GPA in biochemistry, serves as president of Tri Beta and is the treasurer for Alpha Epsilon Delta.

Oklahoma State Senator Kristen Thompson and Oklahoma Representative Nicole Miller awarded Bufford citations for research over dissolved organic matter. Bufford recently conducted medical research for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

2024-2025 GAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year

Football

UAM’s Ryan Williams, Arkansas Tech’s Peyton Henderson, East Central’s Seth Spady, Harding’s Jake Dugger, Southwestern State’s Isaac Foster’s, Southeastern State’s Damien Brown and SAU’s Matthew Whitten.

Baseball

Henderson State’s Cayden Davis and Northwestern State’s Will Kates.

Tennis

OBU’s Ramon Strassmann.

Cross Country, Track and Field

Oklahoma Baptist’s Carson Kardokus.

Sportsmanship awards

The GAC announced its sportsmanship awards as chosen by the league’s head coaches based on a point system on Tuesday.

The GAC’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, in 2012, initiated a sportsmanship award to be presented for all team sports, the release said. The winning school will receive a banner similar to the one presented to GAC tournament championship winners when the sportsmanship award winners are announced.

GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said the goal of programs is to promote good sportsmanship among its teams, fans and all involved with the events.

“These awards emphasize the NCAA Division II focus on sportsmanship and game environment. We could not be prouder of what these programs have put forth on the field and in ways that aren’t necessarily reflected in the outcome,” Prewitt said in the release.

ArkansasTech

Arkansas Tech won in women’s golf and for the first time in school history in men’s golf, becoming only the second school to win both awards in the same season in GAC history.

The Golden Suns’ cross country team also captured their first sportsmanship award.

OBU

For the Tigers, both football and softball earned back-to-back sportsmanship awards, and both sports won their fourth sportsmanship awards in school history.

The Tigers collected their first for women’s track and field.

Arkansas Tech and OBU each claimed three sportsmanship awards.

Harding

The Bisons garnered the award for both men’s and women’s soccer and became the first GAC school to win for both sports in the same season.

The honor represents the 11-in-13 seasons for Harding’s women’s team and the first-ever for the Bisons men’s team.

Northwestern State

The Rangers join Arkansas Tech, OBU and Harding as the only GAC schools to secure multiple sportsmanship awards for the year.

The Rangers won their second-straight men’s track and field sportsmanship awards and the first-ever sportsmanship award for women’s basketball in Northwestern State history.

Southwestern State

Southwestern State volleyball received recognition for the fifth-straight year, and sixth time overall, for a sportsmanship award.

Southeastern State earned its fifth sportsmanship award for men’s basketball in school history.

Henderson State

Henderson State claimed a sportsmanship award for women’s tennis for the fourth time.

Southern Nazarene

Southern Nazarene baseball secured its second sportsmanship award.

East Central

East Central men’s cross country won the program’s first sportsmanship award.

Southern Nazarene track and field athlete Colter Bufford, center, throws a javelin. (Submitted photo)

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Sports

Tennessee Tech Closes 2025 with Tennessee State at Eblen Center

Published

20 minutes ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1) men’s basketball plays its final game of 2025 against Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) at Hooper Eblen Center at 7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

The Golden Eagles return to the hardwood after an extended break for the holidays to face the Tigers. TSU has won five of the last seven games but most recently fell, 91-82, to SEMO, opening OVC competition 1-1. Tech has won three of the last four games and opened conference play with an 85-74 victory over SEMO, then fell to UT Martin (L, 62-86).

TTU enters today’s game 4-2 at home this season with wins over SEMO, Bethel (101-69), Berea (86-64), and Va. Lynchburg (118-58), and losses to West Ga. (L, 59-61) and UT Martin (L, 62-86).

GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1 OVC)
Date & Time: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. CT
Venue: Hooper Eblen Center
Watch: ESPN+ | Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle | Noah McKay (PxP) and Jacob Vinson (Analyst)
Promotion: Purple Haze – WEAR PURPLE!

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: TSU leads, 41-39
In Cookeville: Tech leads, 23-17
In Nashville: TSU leads, 18-22
Neutral sites: TSU leads 2-0
Current Streak: TTU won 1
Last Meeting: TTU won 77-74 in Cookeville (Feb. 22, 2025)

TECH NOTES
Dani Pounds leads Tech in scoring, averaging 12.5 points per game (19th in OVC), and Mekhi Cameron is second on the team with 12.2 points per game (20th in OVC). Pounds is fourth in the OVC in free-throw percentage, shooting 84.1 from the line. Pounds leads the Golden Eagles in rebounds with 4.8 per game (20th in OVC).

JaJuan Nicholls is second on the team in rebounds per game (4.7), which is 23rd in the conference.

Tennessee Tech’s 118 points against Va. Lynchburg (W, 118-58, 11/10/25) mark the third-most points scored in a single game by an OVC team this season.

Ty Owens is second in the OVC with 4.2 assists per game (54 total). Nicholls is tied for fifth in the conference in blocks per game (1.2) and fourth in the OVC in total blocks (16).

The Golden Eagles are second in the conference in points per game (79.7), as well as fourth in the conference in scoring margin (3.5). TTU holds the second-best shooting percentage in the OVC (47.0, 365-777), making three fewer shots than the conference leaders (Lindenwood, 47.4).

OPPONENT NOTES
Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) leads the all-time series 41-39 as the teams split the last two matchups during the 2024-25 season.

The Tigers are coming off a hard-fought 91–82 loss to Southeast Missouri at the Gentry Center, while the Golden Eagles also enter the contest following a defeat.

The game marks the return to action for both programs after a 10-day break. Tennessee State will open the 2026 calendar year on the road at Little Rock on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Aaron Nkrumah leads the Tigers in scoring with 17.0 points per game, averaging 4.8 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. Travis Harper II is second on the team with 15.8 points per game, and Dante Harris is third on the squad per contest with 12.6 points on average.

PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets for Tennessee Tech Men’s Basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or order online at TTUsports.com.

FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Fans can be sure to follow the Golden Eagles men’s basketball team on X (@TTU_Basketball), Instagram (TTUMBB), and Facebook (TTU MBB) for all of the news, notes, and updates.

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Sports

Top 25 Moments of 2025

Published

35 minutes ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Helms, a transfer from Texas A&M, bested his previous Heptathlon score of 5394 which he earned at the Stan Scott Invite and Multis taking place on Jan. 30-Feb. 1, hosted by Texas Tech. He has had immense success in the Key City, posting three different splits at the Red Raider open in the 60m hurdles (8.30), 4x400m (3:16.21, 49.27 split) and pole vault (16-2/4.93m).

At the Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Robertson has etched herself in the record books. At the NCAA Outdoor National Championships, she recorded the best finish by a Bronco since the 2022 campaign by finishing 53rd in a field of 254 total runners.

Robertson was the first Bronco woman to earn All-America honors in the 1,500 since 2019 (Emma Bates). Hanna Ackermann also posted a top finish while in Eugene. Ackermann recorded a time of 9:54.21 in the steeplechase. The time was the third-fastest time in Boise State history.

Helms registered a score of 7,696 in the decathlon. His mark ranks third in Boise State school history and improved his previous mark in the decathlon at the 2025 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships which were hosted by Fresno State in Clovis, California.

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Sports

Shondell Inks Transfer Lameen Mambu – Purdue Boilermakers

Published

52 minutes ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Outside hitter Lameen “Mimi” Mambu is set to transfer to Purdue volleyball, announced by head coach Dave Shondell. Mambu joins the Boilermakers after spending her freshman season at Georgia Tech, where she led the Yellow Jackets’ offense with 345 points and 304 kills.

“What a wonderful Christmas gift to get the commitment from a smart and dynamic student-athlete,” Shondell said. “We’re excited to have this hard-hitting high-flyer join our team after such a strong first season at Georgia Tech where she helped lead them to an NCAA tournament appearance. We watched Mimi play in high school and knew she would be a special player. Mimi learned so much about our program from Kash [Akasha Anderson] and Isabelle Bardin who are good friends from the D.C. area.”

2025 // AS A FRESHMAN AT GEORGIA TECH

Played in all 30 matches as a freshman, making 25 starts
Led Georgia Tech’s offense with 345 points, 304 kills and 854 attempts while averaging 2.92 kills per set
Posted 10 digs, seven kills and two block assists at Purdue in Georgia Tech’s 3-1 win at Purdue (9/3).
Averaged one dig per set with .46 blocks per set
Recorded a season-high 17 kills vs. Georgia (9/19)
Secured a career-high 20 points vs. Arkansas State (8/31), including a career-high 16 digs and 16 kills
Registered three double-doubles
Went nearly errorless on the attack in the sweep at Clemson (11/12), posting a .481 attack % behind 14 kills and one error on 27 swings
Saw at least 20 attacks in 25 matches and 40 attacks in four matches
Served up four aces in the season-opener vs. Wofford (8/29), a career-high
Totaled 14 kills, second-most on the team, along with four digs and a block assist in the five set loss to UCLA in the NCAA First Round

HIGH SCHOOL

Spent four years playing at Chantilly High School
A three-time District Player of the Year award winner (2022-2024)
Three-time All-State First Team honoree (2022-2024)
Four-time All-Region First Team honoree (2021-2024)
Led her to team to become three-time District Champions (2021, 2022, 2024) and two-time Regional Champions (2022 And 2024)
2025 Under Armor Next Volleyball All-American competitor
Won a silver medal with the United States U19 National Team during the summer of 2025

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Sports

Best of small school volleyball in Palm Beach

Published

1 hour ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 28, 2025, 10:54 a.m. ET

The 2025 Palm Beach Post All-County teams are here!

The Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the Player of the Year nominees for small school volleyball.

Player of the Year winners will be announced at the South Florida Fair in a live ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 24. Nominees will be able to register to attend for free, thanks to sponsors. For more information about the show, please reach out to deputy sports editor Eric J. Wallace (ejwallace@pbpost.com).

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Sports

Best of large school volleyball in Palm Beach

Published

1 hour ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 28, 2025, 10:54 a.m. ET

The 2025 Palm Beach Post All-County teams are here!

The Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the Player of the Year nominees for large school volleyball.

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Sports

December 28 – Kelly Sheffield was hired to coach UW-Madison’s Volleyball team

Published

2 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MADISON, Wis. — On this day, December 28, 2012, Kelly Sheffield was hired as Wisconsin’s head volleyball coach, instantly propelling the program into one of the best in the country.

The Badgers had been coached by Pete Waite for the previous 13 years, and the program had been struggling since 2008. Sheffield turned things around immediately in his first season, making it all the way to the national championship in 2013, falling just short to Penn State.

Since then, the Badgers have made the NCAA tournament each season and have not lost more than 10 games in any season since he was hired.

He led the program to the top of the mountain in 2021, when they defeated Nebraska for the first championship in program history.

Since then, they have made the Final Four twice, most recently this past season, where they fell just short to the Kentucky Wildcats in five sets.

Sheffield has also coached 20 different Badgers to 45 All-American nominations, headlined by Dana Rettke and Sarah Franklin who won AVCA Player of the Year honors in 2021 and 2023.

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