BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  – The Birmingham-Southern athletics department recognized the accomplishments of its student-athletes and teams by announcing the winners of its annual awards online on Monday, June 7. During the shortened 2020-21 athletic year, Panthers received 114 all-conference honors, 15 all-region selections, nine conference player of the year awards, seven team championships, two coach of the year awards, six All-America honors, and a trip to the softball world series. There are also 79 graduating seniors in the class of 2020 leaving BSC athletics.
 
A full list of the big awards and their recipients are below.
 
Sigma Alpha Alpha
BSC inducted 13 new members into Sigma Alpha Alpha, the honors society formed by the Southern Athletic Association for graduating seniors. Inductees must have achieved above a 3.5 cumulative grade point average over the course of their time at BSC, and represented their programs on either the first or second all-conference teams. This year's inductees were: from baseball, Will Evans (Peachtree City, Ga./Starrs Mill HS) and Robbie Lively (Helena, Ala./Helena HS); from football, Trevor Oakes (Somerville, Ala./Hartselle HS) and Wells Smith (Jackson, Tenn./University of Jackson); from women's golf, Alexis Chambers (Ft. Payne, Ala./Ft. Payne HS); from women's soccer, Sydney Barrow (Birmingham, Ala./Indian Springs HS) and Abby Kay Choate (Tifton, Ga./Tift County HS); from softball, Saydee Keith (Corner, Ala./Corner HS); from men's swimming and diving, Sam Arnold (Auburn, Ala./Homeschooled), Driscoll Crabbe (Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hill HS), and Max Stoneking (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South HS); from women's swimming and diving, Kasey Godwin (Jefferson City, Tenn./Jefferson County HS), and from women's tennis, Alyssa Yager (Gardendale, Ala./Gardendale HS).
 
 
Male and Female Newcomers of the Year
Hallet Green (Mobile Ala./Mcgill-Toolen) of men's tennis and Hailee Bryan (Laurel Hill, Fla./Paxton HS) of softball were named male and female newcomer of the year.  Green was named SAA Player of the Year. He went 16-1 overall in singles, 8-0 against conference opponents, playing mostly out of the No. 1 position. In doubles, Green went 14-4 competing with three different partners, going undefeated in the No. 1 spot.  Bryan was named both SAA Pitcher of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.  Named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Third Team, she helped lead the Panthers to their first NCAA Regional championship and appearance in the World Series.  Bryan ranked nationally in 10 different categories, including ninth in saves.  She also led the conference in seven categories including shutouts and strikeouts.
 
 
Ben Sinclair Teammate of the Year
This is the fifth year of the Sinclair Award. It is given annually to a student-athlete who enriches his or her program through their attitude, positivity, and by being their teammates' biggest fan and supporter every single day. They serve as a role model by the way they live their life and are considered the hardest working member of any team. This year's recipients are Alyssa Yager of women's tennis and David Minton (Rainbow City, Ala./Gadsden City HS) of baseball. A third year captain, Yager had her best year on the court this past season. Head Coach Carlee Petro called Yager "a leader in every sense of the word. She always fights no matter winning or losing, maintains a positive outlook when faced with adversity, and represents her team and school to the highest degree." Minton's positivity is contagious. "He brings an unbelievably great attitude every day," said Head Coach Jan Weisberg.  "David finds ways to make others around him better.  And through his endless positive attitude at practice, lifts others up."
 
 
Johnny Johnson Most Inspirational Senior
Johnny Johnson was one of the most beloved and dedicated administrators at Birmingham-Southern. Prior to his untimely death in November of 2001, Johnson served the college as vice president for business and financial affairs and was instrumental in helping the college develop a plan for moving its athletic program to the NCAA Division I level.  In honor of his behind-the-scenes work for two decades at Birmingham-Southern, the athletic department created an annual award honoring senior student-athletes who exemplify the qualities of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and the selfless attitude in and out of the athletic arena, who inspires teammates, coaches, and fans. This year's recipients were Leah Middleton (Decatur, Ga./St. Pius X HS) of women's basketball and Zac Venos (Charlotte, N.C./Cannon School) of men's lacrosse. A four-year starter, Middleton was a role model on and off the court for teammates. "It was rare for Leah to have a bad day of practice," said Head Coach Mike Ricks.  "She always gave everything she had regardless of what was going on in her life off the court.  She was always supportive of her teammates, whether it be vocally or taking the time to reach out to someone who was struggling. Her steadiness as a leader in our program will be missed."  Described as intelligent, hard-working, and selfless by Head Coach Casey Kear, Venos was a captain and starter for the Panthers.  "He is what you should want to be when you are a senior," said Kear.  "He is a great student and a relentless worker. Zac serves as an ideal member of the team that our younger guys can look up to."
 
 
Ann Dielen Female Athlete of the Year
The Female Athlete of the Year was named for long-time tennis coach Ann Dielen, who coached for over 40 years on the Hilltop. She amassed over 700 wins coaching both the men's and women's tennis programs. Her success at Birmingham-Southern was highlighted by coaching up some of the best athletes in Panther Athletics history and by serving as the Senior Woman Administrator. Dielen was instrumental in the advancement of women's sports at Birmingham-Southern. This year's winner was Mary Katherine Stewart (Daphne, Ala./Daphne HS) from women's swimming and diving. Named SAA Swimmer of the Year, Stewart collected six titles at the conference championships. She was also selected as an All-American by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America for the 200 backstroke.  Stewart was instrumental in the Panthers defending their SAA team title for the fifth consecutive year by helping the team outscore the second place finisher by 127 points.
 
 
Larry D. Striplin Male Athlete of the Year
The Male Athlete of the Year award was named in honor of late benefactor Larry D. Striplin, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 82. He was a 1952 graduate of Birmingham-Southern and is a member of the BSC Sports Hall of Fame. Striplin served for many years on the Birmingham-Southern Board of Trustees and was Chairman of the Athletic Affairs Committee of the Board. The BSC baseball field, Striplin Field, is named in his honor, as well as the Larry D. Striplin, Jr. Physical Fitness and Recreation Center on the BSC campus. This year's award recipient is sophomore Coleman Jennings (Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS) of men's soccer. Named SAA Player of the Year, Jennings led the country in game winning goals and penalty kick, and finished the year ranked No. 2 nationally in total goals and total points.  Jennings, a team captain, helped lead the Panthers their first SAA championship in program history and the top seed in the conference tournament.
 
 
Man and Woman of the Year
The Man and Woman of the Year awards were created by the Southern Athletic Association in 2013 to be the league's biggest and most prestigious awards. Nominees must be seniors with no remaining eligibility. BSC's selections will go on to be in the running for 2021 SAA Man and Woman of the Year.  The 2021 Man and Woman of the Year are Andy Hammond (Oxford, Ala./Oxford HS) of baseball and Abby Kay Choate of women's soccer. A fifth-year senior, Hammond has helped BSC baseball win three SAA championships, regional and super regional titles, and a trip to the World Series Championship. The first-team all-conference pitcher was named second-team all-region by both ABCA/Rawlings and D3baseball.com.  He finished this past season ranked nationally in three categories, leading the league in strikeouts and WHIP, while earning SAA Academic Honor Roll.  Choate, a team captain, is a three-time All-SAA selection. She was named conference newcomer of the year her freshman season and has been voted United Soccer Coaches All-South Region twice in her career.  "Abby Kay is by far the hardest working person I know," said Head Coach Katelyn Geddings.  "Her soccer statistics speak for themselves, along with her academic.  Lucky  to have someone so dedicated." Choate volunteers at a local nursing home close to campus. The accounting major also helped low-income families by doing their taxes.  She finished her career earning College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District honors for the second consecutive year, Dean's List and SAA Academic Honor Roll all four years, and maintained a 3.95 cumulative GPA.
 
 
Team of the Year
After making a historic run to the NCAA Division III Women's College World Series, BSC softball was named the 2021 Team of the Year. The Panthers repeated as Southern Athletic Association regular season and tournament champions.  They went undefeated in the Marshall regional and saw five earn all-tournament nods including most outstanding player and most outstanding pitcher.  The Panthers opened their first World Series appearance with a 3-2 nine inning walk off win over Rochester. When they fell to Virginia Wesleyan in the second round, BSC battled to a 2-1 win over Wisconsin-Oshkosh to play in the semifinals against reigning national champion Texas Lutheran. Despite not making it to the championship series, BSC softball was ranked as high as No. 3 in the country. They finished with 10 all-conference honors, SAA Player and Pitcher of the Year, four all-region selections, and an All-American.  Nine Panthers finished the season ranked nationally.
 
 
BSC Athletic Awards Winners
Sigma Alpha Alpha Inductees: Will Evans (baseball), Robbie Lively (baseball), Trevor Oakes (football), Wells Smith (football), Alexis Chambers (women's golf), Sydney Barrow (women's soccer), Abby Kay Choate (women's soccer), Saydee Keith (softball), Sam Arnold (men's swimming and diving), Driscoll Crabbe (men's swimming and diving), Max Stoneking (men's swimming and diving), Kasey Godwin (men's swimming and diving), Alyssa Yager (women's tennis)
Male Newcomer of the Year: Hallet Green (Men's Tennis)
Female Newcomer of the Year: Hailee Bryan (Softball)
Ben Sinclair Teammates of the Year: Alyssa Yager (Women's Tennis) and David Minton (Baseball)
Johnny Johnson Most Inspirational Seniors: Leah Middleton (Women's Basketball) and Zac Venos (Men's Lacrosse)
Ann Dielen Female Athlete of the Year: Mary Katherine Stewart (Women's Swimming and Diving)
Larry D. Striplin Male Athlete of the Year: Coleman Jennings (Men's Soccer)
BSC Woman of the Year: Abby Kay Choate (Women's Soccer)
BSC Man of the Year: Andy Hammond (Baseball)
BSC Team of the Year: Softball