By: by Mark Toma
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Student-Athlete Advisory Council sponsored the 2010 Student-Athlete Awards Banquet on Sunday evening at the KSU Convocation Center.
The two-hour awards dinner was highlighted by each of the 16 teams addressing the crowd as they honored the team and its achievements throughout the year. In addition, the night featured the presentation of the academic awards, the Ron Bell Scholar Athlete Award for 2008-09 and the 2009-10 Dr. Dave Waples Total Person Award.
Ginny Frederick of the women’s volleyball team was named the recipient of the Dr. Dave Waples Total Person Award for the 2009-10 year. Frederick was a four-year letterwinner, an Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Team selection in 2006 while also being a four-time A-Sun All-Academic team honoree.
Former Kennesaw State women’s tennis star Mercedes Cobos was the recipient of the First Annual Ron Bell Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. The academic excellence award was renamed this year in honor of longtime supporter of KSU athletics, Ron Bell. Cobos was not hand to receive the award as she is playing professional tennis in Spain; however, head women’s tennis coach Brandon Padgett accepted the award on her behalf.
“This was a very special night for the department,” said Kennesaw State Athletics Director, Dr. Dave Waples. “I am very proud of our student-athletes and the success they have had academically and athletically. We have built a proud program and tonight symbolized the impact we have had on these tremendous young people.”
The men’s tennis team, under head coach Brandon Padgett who coached the squad in 2008-09, claimed the most team academic awards winning both the Overall Academic Team Award and the Highest Team Grade Point Average Award.
“I am very proud of what the men’s team accomplished academically,” said then-head coach Padgett. “Even though it was a first-year program in 2008-09 and there were different pressures and challenges on the athletes, they took their studies seriously.”
The evening also saw the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics present Beth Meadors of the women’s soccer team with the 2007-08 Dr. Dave Waples Total Person Award and Katie Martin of the women’s basketball team with the 2008-09 award.
2009-10 Award Winners
2009-10 Dr. Dave Waples Total Person Award | Ginny Frederick, Volleyball
2008-09 Individual Academic Award Winners
2008-09 Ron Bell Scholar Athlete of the Year | Mercedes Cobos, Women’s Tennis
2008-09 Team Academic Award Winners
2008-09 Overall Academic Team Award | Men’s Tennis
2008-09 Highest Team GPA Award | Men’s Tennis
2008-09 Highest Team APR Award | Women’s Tennis
2008-09 Highest Team GSR Award | Women’s Cross Country
2008-09 Most Improved Team GPA Award | Women’s Golf
2008-09 Most Improved Team APR Award | Men’s Basketball
2008-09 Most Improved Team GSR Award | Men’s Golf
