Flamespy Awards
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2012 Flamespy Awards - April 30, 2012
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2013 Flamespy Awards - April 30, 2013
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2014 Flamespy Awards - April 28, 2014
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2015 Flamespy Awards - April 27, 2015
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2016 Flamespy Awards - May 2, 2016
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On May 2, 2016, the Liberty University Athletics Department celebrated another highly successful year of academic, athletics and community service accomplishments during the fifth annual FLAMESPY Award show.
The elegant evening opened with a reception-style event for all of Liberty's student-athletes, coaches and special invited guests in the New Schilling Center.
The glitz and glamour of the evening continued when the invitees started to make their way into the Tower Theater. Guests received the "red carpet treatment," including the flashes of the photographers and red carpet host interviews as they entered the Tower for the ceremony.
Once inside the Theater, guests were treated to a 90-minute show, hosted by Flames Sports Network reporters Alan York and Erin McKeown. A total of 24 awards were presented throughout the night.
The event was spotlighted by Ashley Rininger, a senior on Liberty's women's basketball team, being named the winner of the 2016 Rock Royer/Mac Rivera Award winners (Liberty Athletics' top student-athlete honor).
Following the show, Liberty's student-athletes, coaches and special invited guests returned to the new Schilling Center for an additional time of celebration. The fun-filled post-show event gave the evening's attendees one last chance to congratulate the award winners and celebrate the soon-to-be completed athletics season.
Flamespy Award Winners
AD - Commitment to Excellence
Given to a senior athlete with a cumulative grade point average of a 4.0
2012 - Megan Neff (Cheerleading)
2013 - Pat Kelly (Football) and Lauren Stell (Women's Soccer)
2014 - Rebecaa Haraf (Volleyball)
2015 - Helen Doolittle (Field Hockey), Matt Pennington (Baseball), Megan Robinson (Softball) and Brittany Yang (Women's Tennis)
2016 - Jason Burgess (Men's Tennis), Ashley Rininger (Women's Basketball), Natalie Beale (Women's Swimming), Madison Long (Women's Swimming) and Will Templeton (Men's Track & Field)
Gifts of the Spirit Award
Given annually to the tutor that exemplifies all of the fruits of the spirit while assisting student-athletes academically, socially and spiritually.
2012 - Rueben Gaines
2013 - Taylor Bishop
2014 - Heath Detweiler
2015 - Tyler Bunzey
2016 - Maleah Mortorff
Professor of the Year Award
Presented annually to a Liberty University professor for their commitment to academic excellence and support of academic achievement (first presented in 2012; restarted in 2016).
2012 - Carolyn Towles (English)
2016 - Travis Holt (English)
University Support Staff of the Year Award
Award Description: Presented annually to a Liberty University staff member that has collaborated with the athletics department and has impacted the success of student-athletes (first presented in 2016).
2016 - Dr. Megan Cordes (Director of Individualized Programs of Study)
Best Supporting Athlete of the Year Award
(Award only presented in 2012)
2012 - Courtney Cooper (Volleyball)
Darius Dixon Service Award
Previously known as the "Pay It Forward Award, this award is fiven annually to a student-athlete or team who gives freely and unselfishly of their time to community activities, they inspire others and act as a role model as well as improve the lives of others through voluntary giving. The award is named in honor of former track & field student-athlete Darius Dixon, who was committed to community service before he tragically passed away on Dec. 7, 2013.
2012 - Jen Moyer (Lacrosse)
2013 - Baseball
2014 - Baseball
2015 - Volleyball
2016 - Men's Basketball
Perseverance of Job Award
Given to a student-athlete who has triumphed and overcome obstacles as well as difficulties over their Liberty University athletics career or in recent months.
2012 - Stan Vaughan (Men's Tennis)
2013 - Khristina Kanagy (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field)
2014 - Abigail Flower (Women's Track & Field)
2015 - Yana Babbitt (Women's Track & Field)
2016 - Yana Babbitt (Women's Track & Field)
Support Staff of the Year Award
Presented annually to a member of the athletics department staff that athletics could not do without.
2012 - Mickey Guridy (Senior Associate Athletics Director – Internal Operations)
2013 - Dave Williams (Strength & Conditioning)
2014 - Kristie Beitz (Senior Associate Athletics Director - Academics)
2015 - Ryan Kindt (Director of Ticket Sales)
2016 - Paul Carmany (Athletics Communications)
Best Blooper Award
Given to the student-athlete with the funniest blooper moment (only presented in 2012 and 2013).
2012 - Tomasz Gielo (Men's Basketball)
2013 - Sparky (Liberty's mascot)
Best Clutch Performance Award
Given to the best or most significant performance by a student-athlete in a game, match or meet.
2012 - Dalton Sype (Baseball)
2013 - Davon Marshall (Men's Basketball)
2014 - Jarred Cornfield (Men's Track & Field)
2015 - Caroline Douglas (Volleyball)
2016 - John Dawson (Men's Basketball)
Best Finish Award
Given to the team or student-athlete with the best game, winning shot, goal, run or hit.
2012 - Antwan Burrus (Men's Basketball)
2013 - Natalie Barr (Field Hockey)
2014 - Ashton Perritt (Baseball)
2015 - Mallory Cuccio (Field Hockey)
2016 - Devon Jones (Women's Soccer)
Best Upset Award
Given to the team or student-athlete with the best, most significant or most impressive upset of the year.
2012 - Baseball vs. No. 14 Virginia and No. 6 North Carolina
2013 - Football's 28-14 win over No. 6/8 Stony Brook (Nov. 10, 2012)
2014 - Field Hockey's win over No. 10 Stanford to claim the NorPar Championship (Nov. 9, 2013)
2015 - Football's win over No. 1 Coastal Carolina to push Liberty into the NCAA FCS Playoffs (Nov. 22, 2014)
2016 - Women’s Tennis defeated No. 53 Winthrop (March 19, 2016)
Best Championship Performance Award
Given to the best or most significant performance in a championship match, series, or tournament.
2012 - Men's Soccer (Winning its second Big South title)
2013 - Men's Basketball winning Big South Men's Basketball Championship (March 5-10, 2013)
2014 - Baseball win the 2013 Big South Baseball Championship (May 25, 2013)
2015 - Aklesso Agam at the 2015 Big South Men's Indoor Championship (Feb. 26-27, 2015)
2016 - Kendall Hough posts three podium finishes at 2016 CCSA Swimming & Diving Championship (Feb. 18-20, 2016))
Most Outstanding Team Award
Given to the best team based on their record, conference championship match, series, or tournament.
2012 - Track & Field
2013 - Women's Basketball
2014 - Women's Swimming & Diving
2015 - Football
2016 - Field Hockey
Play of the Year Award
Given for the single play or performance that made the most impact on a game or season.
2012 - Chris Summers and Mike Brown (Football)
2013 - Ryan Cordell (Baseball) at South Carolina (Feb. 17, 2013)
2014 - Kyle Breitmeyer (Men's Soccer) vs. Longwood (Oct. 29, 2013)
2015 - Chima Uzowihe (Football) vs. Coastal Carolina (Nov. 22, 2014)
2016 - Chris Turner (Football) vs. Coastal Carolina (Nov. 19, 2015)
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year Award
Given to the student-athlete who made the most impact or significant breakthrough during the season.
2012 - Kevin Fogg (Football)
2013 - Kyle Breitmeyer (Men's Soccer)
2014 - Ryan Seiz (Baseball)
2015 - D.J. Abnar (Football)
2016 - Catherine Kearney (Women's Basketball)
Assistant Coach of the Year Award
Presented to an Assistant Coach who helped their team achieve a high level of success athletically, academically, socially and spiritually.
2012 - Pete McFadden (Track & Field)
2013 - Lance Bingham (Track & Field)
2014 - Adam Godwin (Women's Soccer)
2015 - Jessica Barnes (Women's Swimming & Diving)
2016 - Giancarlo Lemmi (Women's Tennis)
Female Rookie Athlete of the Year Award
Given to the female freshman or redshirt student-athlete who was dedicated, positive, hardworking and made an immediate impact to their program.
2012 - Mychelle Cumings (Women's Track & Field)
2013 - Caroline Douglas (Volleyball)
2014 - Holly Van Noord (Women's Soccer)
2015 - Katy Pridemor (Women's Lacrosse)
2016 - Delaney McDowell (Women's Track & Field)
Male Rookie Athlete of the Year Award
Given to the male freshman or redshirt student-athlete who was dedicated, positive, hardworking and made an immediate impact to their program.
2012 - Leonard Robbins (Men's Track & Field)
2013 - Josh Woodrum (Football)
2014 - Stephen Racanelli (Men's Track & Field)
2015 - Jovanni Chavez (Men's Soccer)
2016 - D.J. Artis (Baseball)
Best Female Athlete of the Year Award
Presented to an individual female athlete based on her yearly stats and athletics accolades.
2012 - Avery Warley (Women's Basketball)
2013 - Devon Brown (Women's Basketball)
2014 - Natalie Barr (Field Hockey)
2015 - Ashley Rininger (Women's Basketball)
2016 - Ednah Kurgat (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field)
Best Male Athlete of the Year Award
Presented to an individual male athlete based on his yearly stats and athletics accolades.
2012 - Robert Karlsson (Golf)
2013 - Tavares Speaks (Men's Basketball)
2014 - Shea Thomas (Men's Tennis)
2015 - Shawn Clowers (Baseball)
2016 - Chima Uzowihe (Football)
Head Coach of the Year Award
Presented to a Head Coach who helped their team achieve a high level of success athletically, academically, socially and spiritually.
2012 - Jodi Murphy (Field Hockey)
2013 - Jeff Thomas (Men's Golf)
2014 - Jeff Maren (Women's Tennis)
2015 - Jim Toman (Baseball)
2016 - Ritchie McKay (Men's Basketball)
Rock Royer/Mac Rivera Award
In 1975, the Rock Royer/Mac Rivera Award was established to honor the top graduating senior student-athlete at Liberty University who best exemplifies the standards and lives of both of these great Christian men. Rock Royer was Liberty's first football coach in 1973. Mac Rivera was a member of Liberty's basketball team from 1972 until 1975. Both Rock Royer and Mac Rivera tragically died at a young age. This award encompasses more than just athletic ability. It recognizes the Liberty University graduating senior student-athlete who has maintained an exemplary testimony on the playing field, in the classroom and among the student body.
Rock Royer/Mac Rivera Award winners since the start of the FLAMESPY Awards:
2012 - Jesse Sanders (Men's Basketball)
2013 - Jennifer Klugh (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field)
2014 - Trey Lambert (Baseball)
2015 - Alex Close (Baseball)
2016 - Ashley Rininger (Women's Basketball)
Click here for the full list of Rock Royer/Mack Rivera Award winners since 1975
Dr. Jerry Falwell Leadership Award (Male Award Winner)
Presented annually to one male who have exemplified Dr. Falwell's vision through leadership, commitment to academics, athletic talent and service to others.
2012 - Trey Wimmer (Baseball)
2013 - Siim Tuus (Men's Tennis)
2014 - Cory Freeman (Football)
2015 - Dillon Segur (Men's Tennis)
2016 - Tim Harbison (Men's Soccer)
Dr. Jerry Falwell Leadership Award (Female Award Winner)
Presented annually to one female who has exemplified Dr. Falwell's vision through leadership, commitment to academics, athletic talent and service to others.
2012 - Karen Blocker (Women's Soccer)
2013 - Loren Thomas (Volleyball)
2014 - Bethany Kennon (Women's Soccer)
2015 - Mercedes Cox (Field Hockey/Women's Lacrosse)
2016 - Hannan Jones (Field Hockey)
Cornerstone Award
Presented annually to an individual honoring their commitment to continue Dr. Jerry Falwell's vision of making Liberty Athletics one of the top NCAA Division I programs in the country.
2012 - Jerry Falwell, Jr., Liberty University President, and his wife, Becki
2013 - Neal Askew, Liberty University Executive Vice President
2014 - Mark Hine, Liberty University Senior VP for Student Affairs
2015 - Ron Kennedy, Liberty University Executive Vice President for Marketing
2016 - Laura Wallace, Liberty University Executive Vice President for Human Resources
