April 25, 2011
2011 Coastal Carolina Student-Athlete Excellence Awards Photo Gallery
MYRTLE BEACH - The Coastal Carolina Department of Athletics took an evening to honor its top performers of 2010-11, hosting the "Student-Athlete Excellence Awards," sponsored by Time Warner, Monday night at the Crown Reef Resort. The night culminated with the Chelsy Kimes and Chad Gray being named the Female and Male Athletes of the Year; Colleen Schohl being named the Presidential Student-Athlete of the Year; and Sara Niles and Kyle Kling being named the Female and Male Scholar Athletes of the Year.
Coastal Carolina senior football player Ben Erdman served as the Master of Ceremonies and the program included remarks from Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek and sport season highlights from members of their respective teams, highlighted by Jacob Scheuer from the men's track & field team. Afterward, Coastal recognized its academic successes, both individual and team.
To date, Coastal Carolina has produced seven Big South South Championships (women's soccer, men's basketball, women's tennis, football, men's soccer, women's golf and women's outdoor track & field) and four teams qualify for postseason play (football, men's soccer, men's basketball and women's golf. Also, four Chanticleers have been earned Big South Player of the Year honors, including Kierra Gabe (Outstanding Indoor Women's Field Athlete), Jessica Alexander (Women's Golfer of Year), Courtney Boe (Women's Golf Freshman of the Year) and Andrae Jacobs (Football Defensive Player of the Year).
A total of 241 Coastal Carolina student-athletes own a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (through the Fall 2010 semester), including 98 with a 3.5 GPA or better and 13 of those posting a 4.0 GPA. Katie White, a senior women's basketball player, was singled out for having a 4.0 GPA in each of her first seven semesters, majoring in businees, with the Chanticleers. White was also named Big South women's basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Chelsy Kimes won the honor for volleyball.
The Linda C. Vereen Academic Excellence Award was awarded to the Women's Golf team, as they represent Coastal Carolina University Department of Athletics with the highest combined grade point average. The program posted a solid 3.57 GPA and has won this award in 2004, 2005 and 2010. Also, the team won the 2011 Big South Conference Champion Women's Golf Championship while featuring the league's Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
The individual awards portion began with the student-athletes showing their appreciation to Dr. Don Rockey and wife Mrs. Christine Rockey who were named this year's Student-Athlete Faculty Members of the Year as voted upon by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and presented by its president Sara Niles. The Student-Athlete Faculty Member of the Year award is given to the Coastal Carolina University Faculty member who has supported student-athletes academically, athletically and personally.
From there, the night was all about the student-athletes.
First, CCU Provost Dr. Robert Sheehan presented the Female and Male Scholar Athletes of the Year, presented to the student-athletes that have made a significant contribution academically and athletically on their respective teams.
Niles, the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, is a four time Big South All-Academic Team selection. She is one of three Chanticleers to play and start all 21 games in 2009 and 2010 for the women's soccer program. Her assist on Oct. 31 sealed a victory over Winthrop and propelled the Chanticleers a tie for the regular season Big South Conference title. Niles is a senior with a 3.92 GPA in exercise sport science.
Kling, the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, is a two time All-Big South Conference Cross Country selection as well as a two time Big South Conference All-Academic Team member. He currently ranks fifth all-time in four outdoor track events, including a CCU record ranking in the 3,000 meters. Kling is a senior business major with a 3.81 GPA.
Next, Yurachek presented Kimes and Gray with the Female and Male Athletes of the Year award, presented for outstanding athletic performance and achievement.
Kimes is a three-time, first team All-Big South selection and a first team ESPN Academic All-District as well as being named to the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award top 30 list. During her tenure, she has also been named Big South Volleyball Player of the Year as well as Big South Conference Tournament MVP. Kimes ranks second in school history in service aces, while becoming the all-time leader in kills and total attacks at Coastal Carolina University.
Gray starred in all 34 contests for the Chanticleers this season, while racking up his second first team All-Big South honor. He helped lead his team to consecutive regular season Big South Conference titles, back-to-back seasons with 28 wins and two post season appearances in the NIT. Gray also played a key role Coastal winning 22 consecutive games, which led the nation during the 2010-11 season, and a league-record 16 conference games. Individually, averaged 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds, one of only three players in the conference to rank in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding, to be tabbed a CollegeHoops.net Honorable Mention Mid-Major All-America.
The night concluded with the Department's most prestigious award, the Presidential Student-Athlete of the Year, presented to Schohl by CCU President Dr. David DeCenzo. This award is presented to the Coastal Carolina University student-athlete who displays extraordinary achievements in the area of academics, athletics, community service and leadership.
Academically, Schohl is a member of the Coastal Carolina chapters of Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Eta Sigma, and Golden Key honor societies. She is a three-time Big South Conference Presidential Honor Roll member, while also being named to the Big South Conference All-Academic Team in her senior year. Athletically, Schohl anchored the back line that posted six shutouts this season with four coming during conference play. She scored one goal this season, the first of her career; from her defensive midfield position as she helped lead the Chanticleers to a share of the Big South Conference Women's Soccer regular season championship. In the community, Schohl has assisted the underprivileged by participating in projects such as Soap for Souls, Samaritan's Feet and Teach My People. She is finance major with an outstanding 3.946 GPA and member of the prestigious Wall Fellows Honors Leadership and Corporate Development Program.
