NCCAA Award Recipients Honored at 2022 Hall of Fame Banquet 6/2/2022 9:08:20 PM Greenville, SC: The NCCAA inducted three 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, #KingChasing Institution of the Year, Presidential Award, and Wilhelmi-Haskell Stewardship. Hall of Fame GP4L Character Award: Female Student-Athlete | Male Student-Athlete | Female Athletics Staff | Male Athletics Staff Meritorious Service Award #KingChasing Institution of the Year Presidential Award Wilhelmi-Haskell Stewardship Award 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees Mark Goetsch, Pensacola Christian College Chris Hess, Bethel University Chris Lahm, Ozark Christian College [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. This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Student-Athlete Character Award recipient is Autumn Herriford of Asbury University. Herriford will end her career as the school’s all-time leading scorer, currently sitting at 1,675 points and 13.4 points per game. The graduate student from Lexington, Kentucky is averaging 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game this season as the team finished the regular season with a 19-4 record. During her career, Herriford has been named Newcomer of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and NCCAA Mideast First Team All-Regional. The Asbury all-time leading scorer is the third leading scorer on the team this year because she has chosen to invest in her teammates and give them confidence for when she won’t be there next season. Herriford has never failed to step up and serve or reach out to team members or students in the Asbury community who were in need. She has helped with the teams’ student-athlete led Bible study each week and also serves a local elementary school through in-school mentoring of 4th and 5th grade girls. Herriford has twice served for multiple weeks in Puerto Rico as an intern with the mission organization the LYNC8 Project. She helped lead and facilitate mission teams through the summer for groups that traveled into Puerto Rico from around the U.S. to work on local service projects. Herriford holds a 3.97 GPA in health and physical education and has received multiple academic awards including Academic All-Conference and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. Herriford was the recipient of the 2022 NCCAA Kathy Freese-Peabody Award for Division I Women’s Basketball. Head Women’s Basketball Coach Chad Mayes said, “Autumn’s drive to win in basketball pales in comparison to her love for people which comes from her relationship with Jesus. The lasting impression that she leaves on the university is her heart and loving personality, and she has been a true pleasure to coach.” [Back to top] This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Male Student-Athlete Character Award recipient is Sam Kiser of Campbellsville University. Kiser, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, follows his parents’ footsteps who were former collegiate athletes and continue to be faithful followers of Christ. He has not only dedicated his time to being an outstanding student-athlete but also a Christlike servant on campus. He searches for opportunities to minister to students on campus, while also continually ministering to his team through leading Bible studies and expressing outstanding character. Kiser is an MBA graduate student and aspires to serve in missions. Kiser also competes in track & field. He has numerous Mid-South Conference awards and has been an NCCAA All-American in both cross country and track. Kiser has had a career year, recording his best time (25:21) and finish (1st) this year. Kiser displays leadership by serving as a team captain. In addition, he leads in FCA, the CU summer team, and as an RA on campus. Kiser was the recipient of the 2022 NCCAA Wheeler Award for Division I Men’s Cross Country. Head Coach Corbin Harris highlights that “Sam is a natural born leader who is bold and communicative.” Coach Harris added that Sam has made “intentional strides to become a Christlike servant leader and ultimately use his talents and opportunities to minister to students on our campus and athletes on our team.” [Back to top] This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Athletic Staff Character Award recipient is Hannah McCarrell from the University of Northwestern (UNW). Just recently joining the athletic staff of the Eagles, Hannah has quickly made an impact on coaches, student-athletes, and staff alike. In the fall of 2021 Hannah started as an athletic trainer at the University of Northwestern, providing care for men's and women's soccer, women's basketball, softball, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's track and field. She shows a deep level of care for athletes and coaches, going above and beyond what is required of her job. Hannah is dedicated to providing top notch athletic training care, but also dedicated to providing top nutrition and mental health information to athletes as well as just meeting them where they are each and every day. “Hannah is a servant,” stated University of Northwestern Athletic Director Dr. Matt Hill. “Many times she is here late at night writing rehab plans for her athletes, or meeting them at times that are best for them.” Beyond wrapping ankles or helping rehab student-athletes, Hannah encourages her athletes in their walk with Christ. She uses her role as an athletic trainer to invest in the lives of each student-athlete for whom she cares for. Northwestern student-athletes had this to say about Hannah, “Hannah is incredible. She is an example of how someone can devote themselves to their vocation, loving others through it and so showing Christ’s love without ever having to mention the gospel,” and “Hannah is probably the best athletic trainer I have ever experienced. She has always made me feel heard, loved, and appreciated. She pours her heart into her work and we all can feel that.” Beth Wilmeth, Assistant Director of Athletics, stated, “Hannah is a highly relational individual who cares for her student-athletes, meeting needs far beyond tending to physical injuries. Her love for Jesus spills over into how she both nurtures and challenges athletes.” [Back to top] This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Male Athletic Staff Character Award recipient is Jonny Gamet from Bob Jones University (BJU). Jonny Gamet currently serves as Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Marketing at Bob Jones University. Before being promoted to his current role, Jonny served nine years as the Sports Information Director for the Bruins. During his time on staff the athletic department has grown from four teams to thirteen teams and Jonny has worked tirelessly to provided top-tier coverage through the program’s social media, website, and broadcasts. He has covered the Bruins 19 NCCAA National Championships and four straight Presidential Awards for Excellence. Jonny has been a recipient of several national awards for his work in journalism and his passion for sports and ministry is evident in his writing. Bob Jones University Athletic Director Dr. Neal Ring stated, “Jonny has been an integral member of the Bruins Athletic Department from its inception. He has developed our communications plan and been instrumental in building our brand in Christian higher education. Jonny is a promoter of the NCCAA and its espoused values (Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence) and an excellent representative of what a Christian sport leader should be.” Jonny has assisted the NCCAA throughout the years with the execution of multiple National Championships hosted at Bob Jones University, overseeing broadcasts and statistics. He similarly has a heart for ministry and serves as the youth pastor at his local church in Greenville, South Carolina. “One does not have to look far to know that Jonny is committed to excellence,” stated Bob Jones University Chief of Staff Randy Page. “Jonny’s work ethic is second to none. He sees his work as a reflection of the God he serves and constantly strives to honor Him through that work.” [Back to top] Meritorious Service Award Kara Farnsworth Lail, Columbia International University | Division I Women's Soccer National Chair, 2019-2022 Jeffrey Huff, Kentucky Christian University | Division I Women's Volleyball National Chair, 2019-2022 Chelsea Jones, Carolina University | Division I South Regional Coordinator, 2019-2022 Chris Lahm, Ozark Christian College | Division II Southwest Regional Coordinator, 2019-2022 Delyte "Dee" Morris, Cedarville University | Men's & Women's Tennis National Chair, 2019-2022 Selina Slate, Toccoa Falls College | Division II Women's Volleyball National Chair, 2019-2022 Gerald Verwey, Grace Christian University | Division II Cross Country National Chair, 2019-2022 [Back to top] #KingChasing Institution of the Year The #KingChasing program uses the four values of the Game Plan 4 LIFE - Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence - to enhance the purpose of collegiate athletics to be more than winning championships. The mission of the #KingChasing program is to keep Christ at the center of the student-athlete experience. An institution shall be named an NCCAA #KingChasing Institution by earning 70 points. The top point earning institutions shall be finalists for the NCCAA #KingChasing Institution of the Year. #KingChasing Institution of the Year - Houghton College #KingChasing Institution of the Year Finalist - Grace College [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 - Grace College Division II Recipient - Bob Jones University [Back to top] Wilhelmi-Haskell Stewardship Award Lou Denny Roger and Donna Skelly [Back to top]