Henderson State University Honors Student Athletes

Courtesy Henderson State University Department of Athletics

The Henderson State University Athletic Department announced its annual athletic award recipients for 2012-13.

Senior football player Robbie Aldridge was named the recipient of the Duke Wells Inspirational Award. The award is in recognition of legendary coach Duke Wells who was a former Reddie athlete, football coach and athletic director. The award is given to a male student-athlete who showed tremendous inspiration, attitude and sportsmanship.

Aldridge was a three-year letterman for the Reddies and was a two-time All-Great American Conference selection. Despite playing with two herniated discs, the native of Trussville, Ala. had 24 tackles including 10.5 tackles for lost yardage last season.

The prestigious India Norman Award was presented to Lady Reddie golfer Kendall Earp. The award is given annually to a female student-athlete in recognition for leadership, sportsmanship and work-effort. Norman was a two sport athlete at Henderson State who tragically lost her life in an automobile accident in 1980.
Earp helped lead the Lady Reddie golf team to its first-even NCAA Regional appearance. The junior from Crockett, Texas was the first Lady Reddie golf to win a conference championship, claiming GAC medalist honors. Earp finished in the top 10 in seven of nine tournaments including a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Super Region 3 Championships.

Nathan Eller (baseball) and Hannah Weise (swimming) were the recipients of the Outstanding Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards.

In order to be nominated for the Scholar Athlete Award, a player must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA, have completed their eligibility, with at least four semesters at HSU. Selection of the honorees is based on grade point average, athletic accomplishments and community involvement.

Eller graduates with a 3.47 grade point average in business administration-management. A 2012 All-Great American Conference selection, Eller was a 2012 member of the All-GAC Academic Honor Roll and a 2011 member of the Gulf South Conference Honor Roll.
The right-handed pitcher from Sherwood, Ark. recorded 16 wins during his career and ranks fifth in career strikeouts with 171 in 271.1 innings of work.

Weise was a New South Intercollegiate Swimming Conference All-Conference selection. Weise also earned Academic All-American honors and has been on the Dean’s list every semester.
Weise is majoring in early childhood education and has a 3.85 GPA
Swimmer Nick James and softball player Amber Wilburn earned the Outstanding Sportsmanship Awards.
James was the top point athlete at the NSISC Championships and was part of four relay teams that competed in the 2013 NCAA National Swimming Championships in Birmingham, Ala.
Wilburn was a 2013 All-GAC second team selection and was also named to the GAC All-Tournament Team. A three-time academic all-conference selection, Wilburn hit for a .338 average this past season along with 10 home runs and 30 runs batted in.

Aside from the six individual awards that were voted on by head coaches and select athletic administration, 15 other HSU student-athletes received recognition as they were selected as the outstanding athlete for their sport for this past year.

Among those receiving recognition as their sports’ outstanding athlete were Zac Zdanowicz (Baseball), Andrew Ensley (Men’s Basketball), Offensive MVP Kevin Rodgers (Football), Defensive MVP Maxie Graham (Football), Special Teams MVP Israel Valentin (Football), Matt Jennings (Men’s Golf),Robert Fisher, Nick James, and Adam Milecz (Men’s Swimming), Destiny Smith (Women’s Basketball), Ana Escamilla (Women’s Cross Country),Kendall Earp (Women’s Golf), Sarah Gipson (Softball), Chelsea Leary (Women’s Swimming), and Sarah Camras (Women’s Tennis).
Special Awards and scholarships were presented to select athletes.
The Rowland, Sherman & Wells Scholarship was presented to defensive back Christian Love of Webster, Texas.

The award is awarded annually to a Reddie football player and is in recognition of HSU legends Duke Wells, Bo Sherman and Bo Rowland.

Wide receiver Mike Meador of Charleston, Ark. was the recipient of Antony Moore Memorial Scholarship.
The award is to honor the life and legacy of the late Antony Ryan Moore, a walk-on Reddie football player from Houston, Texas, whose belief was that athletics prepares young people for the obstacles of everyday life. His desire was to help young student athletes obtain an education and build character, integrity and the spirit of competition.

The Reginald James Comeaux Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Chris Clinton of Sheridan, Ark.
This scholarship is given to honor the life of the late Reggie Comeaux and is funded by donations from friends and family. The recipient must be a HSU Reddie basketball player who has completed eligibility, who maintained at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, a person of integrity, a person who exhibited sportsmanship and a person who participates in community service activities.

The Bobby Reese Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Reddie basketball player Deoirvay Johnson.
The award is in recognition of Coach Bobby Reese who was a former Reddie Basketball Coach. The award is given to a Reddie basketball athlete who has shown tremendous leadership, attitude and sportsmanship.

Matt Nicholson was presented the Harry Hall Memorial Award. The award is in recognition of Harry Hall who was a former Reddie Basketball athlete who showed tremendous attitude and sportsmanship.

Reddie pitcher Ethan Jones was named the recipient of the Joe Branch Memorial Scholarship.
This award is given annually to a Reddie baseball player. Jones appeared in 15 games for the Reddies in 2013 and had a 5.23 earned run average with 15 strikeouts in 32 innings of work.

Ernie Higgs was presented the annual Kathy Muse Award for volunteer service to the Henderson State Athletic Department. The award is presented to a staff or booster member who has displayed tremendous service, attitude and a spirit of support for the entire Reddie athletic program.

The award is named in honor of Henderson alum Kathy Muse. Aside from her 24 hours as director of the HSU Trio programs, Muse dedicated countless hours to HSU athletics assisting with the organization of activities and numerous special functions.