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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Complete Show Archive
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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2017 Flamespy Awards - April 24, 2017
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Recap
On April 24, 2017, the Liberty Athletics celebrated another highly successful year of academics, athletics and community service at the sixth annual FLAMESPY Award show on Monday evening.
The elegant evening opened with a reception-style event for all of Liberty's student-athletes, coaches and special invited guests in the Montview Student Union Alumni Ballroom.
The glitz and glamour of the evening continued when the invitees start to make their way into the Center for Music and the Worshiping Arts Concert Hall.
Once inside the Concert Hall, guests were treated to a 90-minute show, hosted by student-athletes Josh Barrick, a member of the baseball team, and Anna Wiley, a member of the volleyball team. A total of 26 awards were presented throughout the night.
The event was spotlighted by Holly Van Noord, a senior on Liberty's women's soccer team, being named the winner of the 2017 Rock Royer/Mac Rivera Award winners (Liberty Athletics' top student-athlete honor).
Following the show, Liberty's student-athletes, coaches and special invited guests remained in the lobby area of the Center for Music and the Worshiping Arts 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)
2017 - Serena Barr (Field Hockey), Stephanie Patton (Women's Basketball) and Hunter Winstead (Footbal)
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
2017 - Carter Hull
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)
2017 - George Buzzy (Helm's School of Government)
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)
2017 - Sara Norman (Registrar's Office)
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
2017 - Women's Lacrosse
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)
2017 - Audrey Rettstatt (Women's Basketball)
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)
2017 - Megan Robinson (Flames Club)
Athletic Training Award
Award Description: Nominated by the athletic training staff, this award is given to a student-athlete who has overcome injury and remained diligent in their recovery and rehabilitation process (first presented in 2017).
2017 - Jackson Bertsch (Baseball)
Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year
Award Description: The Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award recognizes one male and one female whose athletic accomplishments, in the opinion of their strength coach, reflect the dedication to the overall strength training and conditioning program (first presented in 2017).
Female Student-Athlete Nominees:
2017 - Erika Troutman (Women's Soccer)
Male Student-Athlete Nominees:
201- John Dawson (Men's Basketball)
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)
2017 - A.C. Reid (Men's Basketball)
Best Finish Award
Given to the team or student-athlete with the best game, winning shot, goal, run or hit (presented from 2012-16).
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)
2017 - Evangeline Crist and Anna Dollar score upset win in quarterfinals of 2016 ITA Atlantic Regional Women's Tennis Championships, Oct. 16, 2016 (Women's Tennis)
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)
2017 - Carson Waters at the Big South Indoor Track & Field Championships on Feb. 25, 2017 (Men's Track & Field)
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
2017 - Women's Soccer
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)
2017 - Bethany Barr vs. Providence in the 2016 BIG EAST Championship semifinals on Nov. 4, 2016 (Field Hockey)
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)
2017 - Brianna McCaffrey (Women's Lacrosse)
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)
2017 - Brad Soucie (Men's Basketball)
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)
2017 - Keyen Green (Women's Basketball)
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)
2017 - Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz (Men's Basketball)
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)
2017 - Serena Barr (Field Hockey)
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)
2017 - Tresor Mbuyu (Men's Soccer)
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)
2017 - Jake Shellenberger (swimming & diving)
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)
2017 - Will Shepherd (Baseball)
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)
2017 - Casey Thate (Women's Lacrosse)
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
2017 - Dave Williams, Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach
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)
2017 - Holly Van Noord (Women's Soccer)
Click here for the full list of Rock Royer/Mack Rivera Award winners since 1975
