NCCAA Award Recipients Honored at 2018 Hall of Fame Banquet 5/31/2018 9:32:12 PM Greenville, SC: The NCCAA inducted two new members into the Hall of Fame at the Hall of Fame Banquet during the Annual Convention. Also honored were recipients of the Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Award, Heart of Courage Award, Meritorious Service Award, Presidential Award, and Sports Ministries Award. Hall of Fame Wilhelmi-Haskell Stewardship Award GP4L Character Award: Female Student-Athlete | Male Student-Athlete | Female Athletics Staff | Male Athletics Staff Heart of Courage Award Meritorious Service Award Presidential Award Sports Ministries Award Hall of Fame Inductees Candace Moats, Indiana Wesleyan University Tony Natali, Bethel College [Back to top] Wilhelmi-Haskell Stewardship Award Sam & Angie Kelly, Friends of the NCCAA Terry & Connie Metzger, NCCAA Board of Directors Roger & Donna Skelly, NCCAA Board of Directors, Chairman Grover & Darla Todd, NCCAA Board of Directors [Back to top] Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Award The purpose of this award is to recognize NCCAA student-athletes and athletics staff who epitomize the Christian character qualities of LOVE, INTEGRITY, FAITH, and EXCELLENCE. (Kara Farnsworth, CIU Head Women's Soccer Coach accepting the award) This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Student-Athlete Character Award recipient is Alanna Battermann from Columbia International University (CIU). Alanna, a women’s soccer student-athlete, holds a 3.7 GPA as a Bible major with an intercultural studies minor. She began playing soccer for CIU in its inaugural season in 2015 and has served as a leader in the program as a captain, chaplain, and Bible study leader. Alanna’s intentionality and passion for others and their relationship with the Lord is a priority in her life. She serves in the nursery and on the worship team at her church and has been involved in ministry with CIU’s soccer team through clinics, serving at a local school, and a team mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Alanna has played an integral role in the success of the CIU program. She has been named to the NCCAA South All-Regional Team all three years she has been a part of the program. She does not settle for mediocrity and encourages her teammates to strive for that same excellence. “Alanna is an outstanding individual whose passion for the Lord is contagious to those around her,” stated Kara Farnsworth, Head Women’s Soccer Coach. “Her passion for others exemplifies truly what we are called to be as a sister in Christ.” Athletic Director James Whitaker said, “Alanna is one of the most Godly young women I have ever met. She is well respected and loved by everyone on campus, and she is very intentional in developing relationships and mentoring those around her.” [Back to top] (Cammie Petree, McMurry Senior Woman Administrator accepting the award) This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Male Student-Athlete Character Award recipient is Chris Baker from McMurry University. Chris is a baseball student-athlete who strives for excellence on and off the field. His outstanding academic work has led to multiple American Southwest Conference All-Academic Team honors in the past. Chris’ deep love for Christ is readily evident in the way he lives his life. He has been active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and served as a YoungLife leader and sponsor in the community. In his church, he has served as a summer youth intern and has also volunteered for Vacation Bible School. Chris has also served others on the mission field by doing carpentry work along with providing and processing deer meat to donate to an orphanage in Mexico. Because of his honesty, trustworthiness, and outstanding character, Chris has been the captain of McMurry’s baseball team since 2015. His work ethic is second-to-none, and he gives his best every day. Chris’ hard work has enabled him to lead the team in several statistical categories. Cammie Petree, Head Volleyball Coach and Senior Woman Administrator, stated, “I have had the privilege of watching Chris interact with others on our campus and in our community throughout his entire collegiate career. His character is unwavering, and he truly embodies the qualities of love, integrity, faith, and excellence." “It is Chris’ dream to become a coach, and I pray to God that he finds a job in our sons’ school district,” said Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson. “This is our prayer because we know Chris will teach our sons more than simply athletic fundamentals. Christ lives in the heart of Chris Baker, and we know that he will teach those blessed to cross his path how they can have Christ in their hearts and demonstrate how fulfilling a Christ-centered life can be.” [Back to top] This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Athletic Staff Character Award recipient is Julia Reininga of Southern Wesleyan University (SWU). Julia has served at SWU for seven years in various roles including Associate Athletics Director, Senior Woman Administrator, and Head Volleyball Coach. While stressing athletic development and academic achievement, she is foremost a developer of women who know their worth comes from Christ. She has demonstrated a commitment to sportsmanship and ethical conduct in a variety of ways. In 2018, Julia was presented with the NCAA Bob Frederick Sportsmanship Award, which recognizes coaches who have demonstrated the highest levels of integrity and sportsmanship. Julia also provided leadership and helped guide SWU through a transition from NAIA to NCAA DII. She was a key component in helping SWU fine tune its strategic plan for making its final step to the NCAA. SWU has now completed its first full year within NCAA DII and Conference Carolinas. “Julia is the type of person who is willing to serve in any way needed,” said Director of Athletics Chris Williams. “She has been a leader, shown her talent, been extremely humble, and proven herself to be a winner.” Joe Brockington, Ed. D, Vice President for Student Life, stated, “Julia is always willing to pick up the slack when others need help. She is the ultimate team player who will give of herself sacrificially for the sake of the team. She always leads with a smile and a joy that is contagious.” [Back to top] This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Male Athletic Staff Character Award recipient is Dr. Neal Ring from Bob Jones University (BJU). Neal has served as the Director of Athletics for six years and was the Men’s Basketball Coach for five years at BJU. His passion for using sports as a connection point to the Gospel is evidenced in the way he leads the athletics department and in the numerous mission trips he takes every summer. Last summer alone, Neal was in China, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines for mission trips that used basketball to reach others. He is a consistent role model and one who constantly challenges those who know him to be men and women of integrity. As a coach, Neal would challenge his student-athletes to be men of integrity in the classroom, while interacting with peers, and even when competing against opponents. Neal consistently invests in the lives of each member of his staff and demonstrates the importance of loving others as Jesus loved. He is passionate about using the platform that God has given him through sports to share his faith with others. While coaching, he opened God’s Word before practice every day and challenged the team to live out the things they heard. Sports Information Director Jonny Gamet stated, “Neal is truly a man of integrity, both in his role as the Director of Athletics and in his personal walk with the Lord. His commitment to doing things right spills over into every aspect and team in our department.” “Dr. Ring uses each opportunity afforded to him to make Christ known to those with whom he comes into contact,” said Randy Page, Chief of Staff. “It’s been exciting for me to see how God has used him and our student-athletes to spread the Gospel both locally and abroad.” [Back to top] Heart of Courage Award The NCCAA established the Heart of Courage award for the purpose of recognizing a Christian athlete who has also shown courage in the midst of difficult circumstances, while at the same time inspiring others to live out their faith. The Heart of Courage Award recipient is Lindsay Burton of Greenville University. Lindsay, a junior on the women’s basketball team, began to notice she was very short of breath when she worked out in the summer of 2016. Due to her increased fatigue, Lindsay saw a doctor and discovered she had pre-Lupus, which is an auto-immune disorder in which the immune system attacks its own tissues. Additionally, Lindsay was diagnosed with pericarditis and early onset rheumatoid arthritis. With all of these diagnoses, Lindsay was told she could never play collegiate basketball again. Despite her time spent at the doctor, her diagnoses, and maintaining a high GPA, Lindsay was at every basketball related activity she could be. She became a servant of the team, helping in any way that she could while still supporting her teammates with every ounce of strength she had. This past year, Lindsay has served as a student assistant coach for the JV team. “Lindsay is a great example of someone who has responded to a difficult situation, and because of how she has responded, she has changed our program for the better,” stated Roy Mulholland, Head Women’s Basketball Coach. “She’s got a big heart and loves deeply, and that changes the people around her for the better.” [Back to top] Meritorious Service Award Jim Hardy, Campbellsville University | Division I Mideast Regional Coordinator, 2015-2018 Jon Mack, Southwestern Christian University | Division II Men's Basketball National Chair, 2015-2018 Alicia Mucher, Houghton College | Division I Women's Basketball National Chair, 2015-2018 Jacob Phillips, Dallas Baptist University | Indoor Track & Field National Chair, 2016-2018 Bill Schepel, Trinity Christian College, Division I North Central Regional Coordinator, 2015-2018 John & Jody Wheeler, NCCAA Board of Directors, 1983-1994, 2000-2018 [Back to top] Presidential Award The NCCAA is pleased to provide an annual All-Sports Award to be presented to one Division I and one Division II member institution. Points are earned based upon a team's finish in an NCCAA National Championship. Division I Recipient- Campbellsville University Division II Recipient- Bob Jones University [Back to top] Sports Ministries Award The purpose of this award is to recognize member institutions having significant spiritual outreach through the utilization of athletic ministries. This year’s Sports Ministries Award recipient is Bob Jones University (BJU). Over the course of the 2017-18 academic year, the BJU Bruins teams were involved in four mission trips and several hundreds of hours of community and mission service. Student-athletes were involved in sport ministries such as the golf team serving on a mission trip to Ireland in May of 2017. Neal Ring, Director of Athletics, held basketball and coaching clinics in China, Ivory Coast, and Philippines. Student-athletes on the volleyball, soccer, and basketball teams served in local ministries. Children, women, teenagers, athletes, coaches, and more were ministered to throughout the year. Below is a list of some of the ministries served over the course of the year: Washington Center (Greenville, SC) Fort Bluff Camp (Dayton, TN) Shephard’s Care Senior Home (Greenville, SC) USMC Volleyball Clinic (Spartanburg, SC) Shriner’s Children’s Hospital Harvest Baptist Church (Rock Hill, SC) Miracle Hill Ministries Kroc Center after school soccer program (Greenville, SC) WILDS Camp and Conference Center (NC) Churches in Ireland, Ivory Coast, China National Hoops Ministries Piedmont Women’s Center [Back to top]