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, Meritorious Service Award, Presidential Award, and Sports Ministries Award.

Hall of Fame
GP4L Character Award: Female Student-Athlete | Male Student-Athlete | Female Athletics Staff | Male Athletics Staff
Meritorious Service Award
Presidential Award
Sports Ministries Award
  
  

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Hall of Fame Inductees


Dr. Keith Connor, Southern Wesleyan University


Judy Fox, Houghton College & Ignite International Inc.


Brian Patton, Greenville University

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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.  
  
  
  
  

This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Student-Athlete Character Award recipient is Kylee Leffew from Bob Jones University (BJU). Kylee, a junior women’s basketball student-athlete, leads enthusiastically both vocally and by example. She is recognized by her peers on the team and by the campus community as a leader and is authentic in living out her faith. Kylee has a heart for missions and for sharing Jesus with others. She’s been on several international mission trips to countries that include Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. Locally, she has volunteered at Miracle Hill Children’s Home tutoring foster children. Kylee has also helped run afterschool basketball clinics and served at summer camps.
 
Academically, Kylee has been named to the President’s or Dean’s list several times and been named an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. On the court, she averages 8.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. She is an excellent defender and is a player who is hard to guard because of her range and quickness. Kylee has twice been named to the NCCAA DII South All-Regional team.
 
“Kylee is a team player willing to sacrifice herself for the good of the whole,” stated BJU Women’s Basketball Coach Mike LeViere. “She is mature beyond her years and truly elite in terms of quality of character, work ethic, personality, communication skills, and reliability.”
 
Athletic Director Neal Ring said, “Kylee continues to perform at a high level in the classroom and lead her team in the locker room and on the court. She faithfully serves as a student leader on our campus, expanding her influence to many lives in our student body.”

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This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Male Student-Athlete Character Award recipient is Andrew Taylor from Maranatha Baptist University (MBU). Andrew, a men’s soccer student-athlete, has distinguished himself on the soccer field, but more importantly in his role as mentor, campus leader, and volunteer. He received the Jamie O’Dell Leadership Award, which recognizes MBU men’s soccer athletes who exemplify Christ-like behavior and conduct themselves in a manner that embodies the core beliefs of the team. Andrew is active in his church as a Sunday school teacher and youth ministry leader, and has served as a counselor at summer camps for several years. He has served at MBU as a member of the Student Body Council, resident assistant, dorm supervisor, and MBU Soccer Ministry of Tonal Defenders.
 
The graduate student has earned academic awards that include NCCAA Scholar-Athlete and MBU Scholar-Athlete. He has also been named Association of Division III Independent (AD3I) Goalkeeper of the Year and AD3I First Team All-Conference. Andrew has a career save percentage of .736 and a total of 4 shutouts.
 
Head Men’s Soccer Coach Jeff Pill said, “Spending time with Andy over the past several years has allowed me to witness first-hand the impact that he is able to have on those around him. He is a true leader!”
 
“It has been my privilege to observe Andrew in different capacities as a student, student-athlete, student-body leader and dorm supervisor,” stated Athletic Director Rob Thompson. “In every endeavor, his integrity and testimony have been unwavering.”

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This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Athletic Staff Character Award recipient is Kelly Sharp of Grace College. Kelly oversees and directs many of the daily operations for all 17 varsity programs at Grace. She is the first person people encounter, and she shows unconditional love and support to all students and coaches at Grace. Kelly serves over 300 student-athletes on a daily basis. She has also served as a tournament committee member and the banquet director for the NCCAA Division I Basketball Championships hosted by Grace.
 
Kelly’s leadership ability and level of professionalism are evident with the success she has built within the athletic department. In addition to daily operations, she also maintains and oversees all compliance and insurance for Grace’s athletic programs. She has a tremendous passion for higher education and is dedicated to impacting both coaches and students through the platform of athletics.
 
Kelly serves both in the community and on campus in many areas. She has stepped in with coaching transitions in the past, serving as a mission trip leader for women’s tennis. Living out her faith, Kelly mentors student-athletes while supporting and investing in coaches. Her sincere Christian commitment to always working with integrity has set a high standard as she impacts lives each day on campus.
 
“Kelly has been and continues to be a standard of Christian excellence in the arena of athletics at Grace College,” said Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. “Her leadership and servant like attitude has helped build a strong and unique culture in our athletic department that reflects the NCCAA’s Game Plan 4 LIFE.”

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This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Male Athletic Staff Character Award recipient is Steve Edwards from Brewton-Parker College (BPC). Steve is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach and also serves as the Campus Pastor at BPC. On a daily basis, he takes the time to move through campus to visit with faculty and staff, asking for prayer needs or to simply sit and listen. Students know his door is always open as someone in whom they can confide.
 
Steve’s greatest quality is his love for Jesus and how he challenges those around him to grow in their own personal faith. He always posts a scripture verse or motivational message each day for students to see. He holds Bible studies for students on campus and leads groups in his local church. Steve also organizes and leads chapel every Tuesday, which many times includes preaching to the student body.
 
Even though sharing Christ with others and reaching students personally is his main mission on campus, his team has been excellent on the court and has broken many school records. The team was ranked in the top three in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) for the majority of the year. Steve was named SSAC Co-Coach of the Year for the vast improvement his team made from previous years.
 
“Coach Steve Edwards has helped me grow in numerous ways that I did not know I could,” stated Jady Ivy, BPC basketball student-athlete. “He is not only a basketball coach, but also a spiritual coach. I am forever grateful for all that he has done for me and also for the love he shows people every day.
 
BPC Sports Information Director Jenni Prevett said, “Steve strives to not only be successful on the court, but also to connect with the entire student body spiritually. He is someone on campus that students know has their best interests at heart and is also well respected among faculty and staff.”
  
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Meritorious Service Award
Zach Bice, Mid-America Christian University | Division I Women's Soccer National Chair, 2016-2019
Jud Brooker, Columbia International University | Division I Cross Country National Chair, 2016-2019
Brian Fincham, Faith Baptist Bible College | Division II North Regional Coordinator, 2016-2018
Sho Gray, Johnson University Tennessee | Division II Cross Country National Chair, 2016-2019
Hank Moore, Southwestern Assemblies of God University | Division I Women's Volleyball National Chair, 2016-2019
Lauren Sanders, Manhattan Christian College | Division II Women's Volleyball National Chair, 2016-2019
  
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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
  
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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 Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU).
During the 2018-19 academic year, the SAGU Lions teams went on several mission trips and served at various sports ministries. Cross country, women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball teams served on mission trips or had individuals serve on one. Baseball, men’s & women’s basketball, football, men’s & women’s soccer, softball, and women’s volleyball teams served in ministries such as sports camps, nursing home outreach, reading programs, and more.
 
Children, teenagers, athletes, police officers, firefighters, and more were ministered to throughout the year. Below is a list of some of the ministries served over the course of the year:
 
SAGU GameDay Outreach (Waxahachie, TX)
Waxahachie Elementary Rewards Day (Waxahachie, TX)
Salvation Army (Galveston, TX)
Waxahachie YMCA (Waxahachie, TX)
Mercy Street Ministries (Dallas, TX)
Charity Cup (South Africa)
Street Hope Ministry (Dallas, TX)
Operation Christmas Child (Waxahachie, TX)
Drop Everything and Read (Waxahachie, TX)
  
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