BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College Department of Athletics hosted its annual Athletic Awards – "The BESPYs" – virtually for the first time ever on the evening of Wednesday, April 29 via its social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The event is traditionally held in an in-person banquet-style format at the Boshamer Gymnasium on the campus of Brevard College. Due to classes now being held online, the event moved to an interactive online format, as traditional award winners were announced through a variety of graphic and video messages on the BC Athletics social media channels.
This year's BESPYs included special video messages from Director of Athletics Myranda Nash, BC's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Board (Brittany Franks, Josh Romero, Ali Grace Hartman, Mari Cook, Kelly Wilkins, and Anna Burnette), USA South Conference Commissioner Dr. Tom Hart, BC Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Stephen Knott, the BC Head Coaching Staff, and Brevard President Dr. David Joyce and Lynne Joyce.
Several major awards were presented to standout student-athletes over the course of the evening. The Ann Etters Award, an award that recognizes an underclassman student who best displays excellence athletically, academically, and dedicated service to the BC community, was awarded to BC men's tennis freshman JaMarcus Walker.
Three individual parts of the criteria for BC's major team award – the Tornado Cup – were recognized during the evening: Academic Excellence – Team GPA Banner, Personal Development Excellence – Athletes Supporting Athletes, and Community Service & Engagement. With a cumulative team GPA of 3.313 from Spring 2019 to Fall 2019, the BC women's soccer squad claimed the Team GPA Banner, while women's lacrosse took home recognition in the Personal Development Excellence and Community Service & Engagement categories. For the third-consecutive athletic season, Brevard's women's lacrosse program retained possession of the Tornado Cup.
The Highest Senior GPA Award was presented to BC Cycling senior Hannah Arensman, who has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her four years at Brevard College. Senior student-athletes were also virtually presented with their senior gift of wristwatches and Scholar-Athlete Graduation Stoles for those who have maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher through their athletic career. Those eligible for the Senior watches and Scholar-Athlete Graduation Stoles will receive these items on Family Weekend in the Fall at Brevard College.
Top plays and season recap videos were shared throughout the night, alongside recognition for student-athletes who received USA South Conference awards, National awards, and teams who earned postseason opportunities. The BC SAAC revealed its annual BESPY Superlative nods to Hartman (Softball), Gabe Rebollar-Catalan (Football), Ty'She Washington (Women's Basketball), and Kross Robinson (Baseball). Special thank you messages were also posted for members of the BC Tornado Club and Brevard's Athletic Training staff.
On Thursday, April 30, four special virtual editions of Tornado Talk branded "After the Storm" aired on Facebook Live, featuring interviews of student-athletes from BC Men's Soccer, Football, Women's Lacrosse, and Cycling, recapping the 2019-20 athletic season and looking ahead towards the future.
2020 BESPYs Awards #BESPYsAtHome
Welcome and Introduction from Director of Athletics Myranda Nash
Message from USA South Conference Commissioner Dr. Tom Hart
Message from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Board
Ann Etters Award – JaMarcus Walker
Tornado Club Thank You
SAAC's BESPYs Superlative #1 – Ali Grace Hartman
Fall Conference & National Award Recognition
Rebeccah Rojas, Women's Soccer, USA South Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Rebeccah Rojas, Women's Soccer, USA South Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Gavin Morgan, Men's Cross Country, USA South Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Gavin Morgan, Men's Cross Country, USA South Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Lucas Campos, Men's Soccer, USA South Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Tae Sullivan, Football, USA South Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Jaxon Youngblood, Football, USA South Football Special Teams
Patrick Hall, Men's Soccer, USA South Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Mariana Rodriguez, Volleyball, USA South Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Joc Pledger, Football, USA South Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Rook Tate, Football, USA South Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Steffon Canady, Football, Scotty Whitelaw Bowl Most Valuable Player
Steffon Canady, Football, All-ECAC First Team
Dante Anderson, Football, All-ECAC First Team
Steffon Canady, Football, Cliff Harris Award Nominee
Dante Anderson, Football, Cliff Harris Award Nominee
Jerome Bass, Football, D3Football.com Team of the Week
Rook Tate, Football, D3Football.com Team of the Week
Jaxon Youngblood, Football, D3Football.com Team of the Week
Quentin Jackson, Football, D3Football.com Team of the Week
Matheus Masukawa, Men's Soccer, NCCSIA All-State Second Team
Mariana Rodriguez, Volleyball, NCCSIA All-State Second Team
Gavin Morgan, Cross Country, ECAC Cross Country Championships Runner-Up
Patrick Hall, Men's Soccer, USA South All-Conference Second Team
João Monteiro, Men's Soccer, USA South All-Conference Third Team
João Monteiro, Men's Soccer, USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
Timiah McGhee, Volleyball, USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
Sallie Riggan, Women's Soccer, USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
Gavin Morgan, Cross Country, USA South All-Conference Second Team
Solomon Turner, Cross Country, USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
Molly Brown, Cross Country, USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
Fall Sports Highlight Video
SAAC's BESPY Superlative #2 – Gabe Rebollar-Catalan
Winter Conference & National Award Recognition
Destiny Williams, Women's Basketball, USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
Levi Lamb, Men's Basketball, USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
Winter Sports Highlight Video
SAAC's BESPY Superlative #3 – Ty'She Washington
Spring Conference & National Award Recognition
Nathan Sanders, Baseball, USA South Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Samuel Goude, Baseball, USA South Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Brandin Johnson, Baseball, USA South Baseball Rookie Player of the Week
Kelia Oliver, Women's Track & Field, USA South Women's Track & Field Field Rookie of the Week
Autumn Kraemer, Women's Lacrosse, USA South Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Jordan Kielson, Softball, USA South Softball Pitcher of the Week
Jordan Kielson, Softball, USA South Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Spring Sports Highlight Video
SAAC's BESPY Superlative #4 – Kross Robinson
Tornado Top Plays of 2019-20
Special Thank You to Athletic Trainers
Academic Excellence - Team GPA Banner Winner – Women's Soccer
Athletes Supporting Athletes Team Winner
Community Service & Engagement Team Winner
Overall Tornado Cup Winner
Highest Senior GPA Award
Message from Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Stephen Knott
Senior Stoles Presentation
Senior Watches Showcase
Senior Thank You Video from AD & Head Coaches
Message from President Dr. David Joyce & Lynne Joyce
After the Storm Interviews – Thursday, April 30
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-BC-