The Return of the RESPYS was a Huge Success!

August 27, 2024

Waleska GA - The RESPYS (Reinhardt Athletics awards ceremony) returned after almost five years with roaring success. Reinhardt Athletics is coming off back-to-back Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Duard Walker Awards for being the most successful sports program in the conference, so it was good to honor those who helped the award happen.

The student-athletes were greeted with a beautifully decorated Brown Athletic Center turned into a "Grammy" style reception with decorations, a photo area, and even the red carpet treatment. The preparations and decorations were assembled by Reinhardt's Association of Student Athletes (ASA), led by Reinhardt professor and Senior Women Leader Kelley Horton. The ASA put in months of preparation that helped make the return of the RESPYS a huge success.

The ASA's mission statement is To champion the interests of all Reinhardt University student-athletes and to represent Reinhardt athletics as ambassadors at local, conference, and national levels. To advance the mission of Reinhardt athletics by acting as a bridge between student-athletes, faculty, staff, and the athletic department and cultivating a positive image through participation in campus and community leadership opportunities, all while striving to enhance the overall student-athlete experience.

The student executive board of the ASA is:

Pierson Moss, President (Men's Tennis)
Eryn Lee, Vice-President (Softball)
Calena Myers, Historian (Women's Volleyball)
Bruno Dewes, Treasurer (Men's Volleyball)
Alex Sanchez, Secretary (Men's Volleyball)

Reinhardt's wonderful Gordy Cafeteria staff provided refreshments for the student-athletes, which included homemade chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and more. This was led by Reinhardt's own Shelley Lawson known as @ru_backinglady on Instagram.

There were three total awards given out during the evening's festivities, which are listed below. Highlighted in this group were Women's Lacrosse, who won Team of the Year for their historic season of winning the Red Banner NAIA National Championship. Track & Field star athlete David Friedberg, who will go down as one of the best athletes to ever walk the grounds of Reinhardt University, was honored with two awards. Also, softball All-American Emily Loveless was honored as the Top Female Athlete last year, and her career at Reinhardt is one of the best in the history of the program.

We look forward to having another successful sports year at Reinhardt University and handing out all the awards again in the Fall Semester, 2025.

RESPYS Award Winner List

Breakthrough Team of the Year: Men's Volleyball
Talon Tough Award: Nash Crowell, Baseball
Freshman of the Year Female: Jahnaeia Thomas, Flag Football
Freshman of the Year Male: Braniff Mahoney, Cross County/Track
Fan of the Year: Price School of Education
Newcomer of the Year Female: Ashlyn Barnes, Women's Volleyball
Newcomer of the Year Male: Keon McGhee, Football
Assistant Coach of the Year: Josh White, Track & Field
Highest Team GPA: Women's Golf
Faculty Mentor of the Year: Dr. Melissa Hickman
Thelma Rogers Silver Eagle Award Female: Jill Martinet, Softball
Thelma Rogers Sliver Eagle Award Male: Andrew Paolozzi, Track and Field
Stat Stuffer Award Female: Ashley Woodroffe, Women's Basketball
Stat Stuffer Award Male: Alex Sanchez, Men's Volleyball
CB5 Faithful Eagle Award: Nelia Bradea-Pop
Best Championship Performance by an Individual Female: Shelby O'Neil, Women's Lacrosse
Best Championship Performance by an Individual Male: Trevor Burdick, Wrestling
Best Championship Performance by a Team: Baseball
Comeback Player of the Year: Andrew Herbert, Baseball
Best Game of the Year: Football vs Pikeville, overtime AAC win
Head Coach of the Year: Roy Reynolds, Women's Lacrosse
Record-Breaking Performance Female: Sarah Sweet, Women's Volleyball
Record-Breaking Performance Male: David Friedberg
Clutch Performance of the Year Female: Jill Mello, Women's Lacrosse
Clutch Performance of the Year Male: Brett Allen, Baseball
SOAR Award: RU Athletics Sports Medicine Staff
Play of the Year: JR Sess, Men's Lacrosse - Overtime Game-Winner vs Cumberlands
Coach Bill Popp Golden Eagle Award Female: Emily Loveless, Softball
Coach Bill Popp Golden Eagle Award Male: David Friedberg, Track & Field
Team of the Year: Women's Lacrosse, NAIA National Champions