ROCK HILL, SC--The announcement of a $25,000 endowed scholarship in memory of longtime Winthrop athletics supporter Bob Hyman highlighted Sunday night’s annual Winthrop University Athletic Awards Banquet.
The Robert Hyman Endowed Scholarship will be available to any Winthrop student-athlete in future years who are from the state of South Carolina and have a B average. According to Hyman’s wife, Marilyn, the couple became Winthrop fans in 1988 during the Big South Conference basketball tournament which was held in Rock Hill. He passed away suddenly in March of 2002.
A total of 17 Winthrop student-athletes received special awards on behalf of the athletic scholarship endowment program and a total of 35 seniors were recognized for their contributions to the program.
The names of the special endowed scholarship awards and each recipient are as follows:
The Roman Gabriel, Sr. Endowed Scholarship- Jeremy Plexico, senior, baseball
The Roman Gabriel, Sr., endowed scholarship is made possible by Roman Gabriel in honor of his late father. This award is presented to a student-athlete whose demonstrated commitment to athletics and academics best exemplifies the concept of "student-athlete".
The Rocky Morris Endowment - Tyron Myers, senior, men’s basketball
This award is provided by Jack Lindsay in honor of the grandmother of Rocky, Mrs. Pauline Lindsay and goes to the basketball or baseball player who displayed loyalty, character and an appreciative attitude.
The John T. Roddy Award- Renata Barreto, , junior, women’s tennis
This award is provided in honor of John T. Roddy, who served as a trustee for 36 years in South Carolina.
The Robert H. Breakfield Award- Stephanie Vangsnes, junior, women’s cross country and track; Antoine Knox, senior, men’s track
This award is provided by Winthrop School of Business professor Robert Breakfield and his wife Gay Randolph and goes to two cross country/ track athletes who demonstrate leadership, sportsmanship, and academic integrity.
The William Gordon Clarkson Award- Matt Johnson, junior, men’s golf
This award was endowed by Matt Hires and is presented to an outstanding member of the golf team.
Guettler-Griffin Award- Jeff Reeves, junior, baseball; Jennifer Pritchard, senior, volleyball
This award endowed by Larry and Cathy Bigham of Thursday's Too on behalf of Dr. Ed Guettler and Dr. Mary Rowland Griffin, two of Winthrop's most distinguished retired faculty members, is presented to the male and female athletes with the highest grade point averages.
Rock Hill Coca-Cola Award- Amy Coccia, senior, volleyball; Pierre Wooten, senior, men’s basketball
This award is made possible by Fred Faircloth and goes to the male and female athlete who demonstrate talent, integrity, and spirit.
Dr. Robert M. Scoville and Dr. William E. Gregory Jr., Award - Jody Elkins, senior, baseball; Bonnie Sowa, senior, cross country and track
This award is given by Drs., Robert Scoville and William Gregory to two athletes who are supportive, positive, and consistent team leaders.
York County Businessmen's Association Award– Teresa O’Hare, senior, softball
This award is given in honor of the late Al Adickes to an athlete who exemplifies leadership, scholarship and future promise.
Wiley Blanton Award- David Stefansson, senior, soccer
This award is given by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Grimm of Blanton Enterprises in honor of Wiley Blanton and goes to a student-athlete with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above.
The Patrick Endowment- Thorvaldur Arnason, junior, soccer
This award is given by the late Wayne Patrick and his wife Lib Patrick to a senior male or female student-athlete who has exhibited outstanding leadership qualities.
The Ann Scott Terry Award- Stephanie Pannell, senior, women's basketball
This award is made possible by an endowment from Ann and Vernon Terry, loyal Eagle fans and long-time Eagle Club members. This award is give to a women's basketball player with at least a 2.75 GPA.
The Vernon Wade Terry Award- Gabe Leventis, men's basketball
This award is made possible by an endowment from Ann and Vernon Terry, loyal Eagle fans and long-time Eagle Club members. This award is give to a men's basketball player with at least a 2.75 GPA.
Also presented was the Senior Academic Award that goes to the male and female athlete with the highest grade point average among all senior athletes. This year's recipients were Jeremy Plexico, senior, baseball; and Jennifer Pritchard, senior, volleyball.
The seniors who were recognized included:
Baseball- Ryan Chenard, Jody Elkins, Conrad Funk, Jeremy Plexico, Mike Sollie
Men’s Basketball– Tyron Myers, Pierre Wooten
Women’s Cross Country/Track- Carrie Dodson, Jenny Holland, Bonnie Sowa, Tamyra Stegeman
Men’s Cross Country/Track- Octavius Burriss, Jeremy Clover, Brandon Holland, Matt Kelleher, Antoine Knox, Sahwn Syfert
Soccer- Andrew Blackadder, Jose Figuero, Gareth Hayden, David Stefansson, Francis Wakhisi
Softball- Teresa O’Hare
Men’s Tennis- Rodrigo Caesar
Volleyball- Amy Coccia, Jennifer Pritchard
Dance Team– Julie Cassidy, Allison Calhoun
