CIAA End-Of-Year Awards Reception Wraps Up 2016-17
Charlotte, NC – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) held its annual Spring General Assembly Meeting and End-of-Year Awards Reception in Charlotte, NC. The conference office announced its highest administrative and team awards at the reception on May 16th.
In his second year at Bowie State University, Clyde Doughty, Jr., earns CIAA Director of Athletics of the Year. Under Doughty’s guidance, Bowie State athletics programs claimed two 2016-17 conference titles including men’s basketball and women’s bowling while the Bulldogs’ football and softball squads both took home runner-up trophies. After the relocation announcement of championships by the Board of Directors, Doughty and Bowie State bid to host the 2017 women’s tennis and outdoor track & field championships.
Jolisa Williams of Shaw University has been named CIAA John Holley Sports Information Director of the Year. Williams, in her second year at SU, has been appointed CIAA Sports Information Directors Association Vice President by her peers. In addition to her association leadership, the Virginia State University alum has taken the Bears’ digital presence to a new level with the launch of a new athletics website.
Williams has adamantly worked to provide all of Shaw’s athletics programs with consistent coverage via stories, graphics, and live statistics of regular season contests. She is regarded by her association colleagues for her remarkable writing and timely communication. Williams served on her first conference committee this year at the outdoor track and field championship.
Felicia Johnson, Associate Athletics Director for Compliance at Virginia Union University, accepts the 2017 CIAA Senior Woman Administrator of the Year award. While managing dual roles in the Panthers athletics department, Johnson assisted her team in co-hosting this year’s cross country and golf championships with the conference office. She leads the SWA association as President and serves as the association’s CIAA Management Council representative. Johnson has national influence, representing the CIAA on the NCAA Management Council. This marks the former VUU student-athlete’s second nomination, being named SWA of the Year in 2009.
Johnson C. Smith University accepts the Loretta Taylor All-Sports award as the CIAA member-institution with this year’s top women’s programs. The Golden Bulls earned two championship trophies in women’s basketball and indoor track and field while taking home the runner-up trophy in outdoor track and field for a total of 114 points this season.
Virginia State University earns two of the CIAA’s highest accolades with the C.H. Williams All-Sports and Most Positive Game Environment Awards. The Trojan men brought home the
championship trophy in indoor track & field while ranking third in the conference in cross country, baseball, and outdoor track and field for a total of 92 points in the tally. The 2016-17 award is the Trojans’ third consecutive All-Sports trophy while the athletics department and its programs capture back-to-back Most Positive Game Environment.
Shaw University volleyball student-athlete Kelly Murphy has been named CIAA Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. Murphy is a sophomore exercise science major from Mukwonago, Wisconsin who posted a 3.9 grade point average this year. On the court she is a main force from the outside hitter’s position, tallying 339 kills for an average 3.42 kills per set. The two-time Player of the Week went on to earn All-CIAA and Tournament MVP honors while guiding the Lady Bears to their first CIAA championship in 21 years. In the community, Murphy assisted with youth volleyball camps, Church Child Care, feeding the homeless, and Reading Day with Day Care. She also devoted her time to Samaritan’s Feet and Boy’s and Girl’s Club Activities for pre-teens.
Senior Shawn Rowe of Saint Augustine’s University has earned Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for his performance in Track & Field and academic and community service marks. The criminal justice major from West Palm Beach, Florida is a track and field All-American who is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in Division II in the 400-meter hurdles. He has the fastest Division II time in the country and the 13th fastest time in the world (49.36) in the event. The 2017 CIAA Outdoor Athlete of the Year in running events helped the Falcons win their 21st straight indoor track and field title and 20th consecutive outdoor crown. Rowe spends his free time assisting with campus and community cleaning while maintaining a 3.323 grade point average.
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