Athlete of the Year

Beginning with the 1989-90 season, Kennesaw State has annually honored the top performer of the past season with the KSU Athlete of the Year Award. This award of excellence is voted upon by department administrators and is given to the student-athlete who had the most successful season in his/her sport.

Mackenzie Howe was named the 2010-11 Women's Athlete of the Year, claiming the title for the second consecutive year, which makes her one of only five student-athletes to accomplish that feat. Howe was the Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year as well earning her fourth A-Sun All-Conference Track & Field award.

Jeff Karlsson was named the 2010-11 Men's Athlete of the Year after leading the Owls to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA men's Golf championship. Karlsson was selected a Division I PING Second Team All-America was also named the Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Golfer of the Year as well as a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar.

In the 17-year history of this award there have been four other multiple-winners including Patrina Hayes, Joshua McNair, Jason Jones and Marjo Venalainen. McNair claimed the award in 2007-08 and then again in 2009-10 while Jones, a two-time All-American baseball player, won the award in back-to-back years of 1997-98 and 1998-99.

Cross Country and Track & Field legend Marjo Venalainen won the award outright in 200-01 and shared the honor the previous year with softball's Audra Thomas. The co-winners in 1999-00 were the only time the award has seen players share the honor. Hayes claimed the award in 2005-06, when only award was given, and was the first recipient of the Women's Athlete of the Year award in 2006-07.

Over the years, eight sports have been represented by this prestigious honor with cross country/track & field claiming nine winners, six on the women's side and three on the men's side. Baseball has the most recipients for team sports with seven. In addition to Jones and his two awards, Donny Hood, Grant Reynolds, Ryan Coe, John Kelly and Jason Childers have each earned the honor.

The Owls softball program has placed four players on the list. Dyan Mueller, the first female recipient of the award, is joined by Laura Munson, Kelly Rafter and Thomas. Women's basketball's Joanna Cuprys won the award in 1996-97.

Since Kennesaw State joined the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2005, the Owls have honored both a male and female Athlete of the Year. Patrina Hayes and Jason Waters, both cross country and track & field stars, were recipients of the first multi-awards given by the athletic department.

Kennesaw State Athletes-of-the-Year
Multiple Award Winners Patrina Hayes (2), Mackenzie Howe (2), Joshua McNair (2), Jason Jones (2), Marjo Venalainen (2)

2010-11
Women - Mackenzie Howe, Cross County/Track & Field
Men - Jeff Karlsson, Golf

2009-10
Women - Mackenzie Howe, Cross Country/Track & Field
Men - Joshua McNair, Track & Field

2008-09
Women - Rachel Baer, Soccer
Men - Chad Jenkins, Baseball

2007-08
Women - Britteny Henderson, Basketball
Men - Joshua McNair, Track & Field

2006-07
Women - Laura Tucker, Soccer
Men - Ronell Wooten, Basketball

2005-06
Women - Patrina Hayes, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Men - Jason Waters, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

2004-05
Patrina Hayes, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field

2003-04
Terrence Hill, Men's Basketball

2002-03
Grant Reynolds, Baseball

2001-02
Donny Hood, Baseball

2000-01
Marjo Venalainen, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field

1999-00
Marjo Venalainen, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Audra Thomas, Softball

1998-99
Jason Jones, Baseball

1997-98
Jason Jones, Baseball

1996-97
Joanna Cuprys, Women's Basketball

1995-96
Jason Childers, Baseball

1994-95
Kelly Rafter, Softball

1993-94
Ryan Coe, Baseball

1992-93
Tony Williams, Men's Basketball

1991-92
Laura Munson, Softball

1990-91
Dyan Mueller, Softball

1989-90
Jon Kelly, Baseball

Kennesaw State University Athletics

Events and Results

Scoreboard

Athlete of the Year