RICHARDSON, Texas –– East Texas Baptist University senior football player Michael Cucinotta, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore baseball player Seth Lynn and Hardin-Simmons University senior volleyball player Kaela Parnell have all been named winners of the American Southwest Conference Community Service Award, the ASC office announced on Wednesday (June 9) after a vote of the league’s Directors of Athletics.
The ASC Community Service Award, in its second year, honors a male and female student-athlete who best displays leadership and action in fostering community service on their campus and local community. Each ASC member institution may nominate its campus Community Service Award winner to the conference-wide ballot.
Cucinotta and Lynn shared the male ASC community service honor, while Parnell was the lone female winner.
Cucinotta (Marshall, TX / MHS), a math major, is a two-time male winner of the Joe and Marilyn Hogue Servant Leadership Award at ETBU, given to the student-athlete who displays the most commitment to service. Cucinotta has spearheaded the ETBU football team’s drive to aid Habitat for Humanity projects locally as well as provide mentoring in local elementary schools. He is a three-year letterwinner for the Tigers. Cucinotta also takes part in summer mission activities.
Lynn (Katy, TX / Taylor HS), a sport management major, has organized and helped lead the UMHB baseball team’s involvement in the Pink Zone campaign for breast cancer awareness and research. The squad sold t-shirts and recognition cards and also took donations throughout the campaign and helped raise more than $950 for breast cancer research. Lynn also helped coordinate efforts with other UMHB athletic programs as the school focused its fundraising projects on breast cancer awareness and research. It was through his hard work and coordination efforts that UMHB had its most successful year of community service and fundraising. Lynn also earned ASC All-Academic honors as the Cru’s starting first baseman and helped lead UMHB to an ASC tournament berth.
Parnell (Carrolton, TX / Hebron HS), a pre-med major, is one of the most active students on HSU’s campus. She is involved with coordinating meals on wheels drives, tutors in the physics program, works with the Boys and Girls Club and serves as a Friendship House volunteer. Parnell also is a Love and Care Ministries Medical Assistant, American Heart Association and Abilene Food Bank donor, and Abilene Mission Thanksgiving Dinner volunteer. She manages all this while being a 4.0 student and the ASC Player of the Year on the volleyball court.
2009-10 ASC COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS
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Male: (co) Michael Cucinotta, Sr., East Texas Baptist (Football)
(co) Seth Lynn, So., Mary Hardin-Baylor (Baseball)
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Female: Kaela Parnell, Sr., Hardin-Simmons (Volleyball)
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ALL-TIME ASC COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS
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Year
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Male
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Female
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2009-2010
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(co) Michael Cucinotta, East Texas Baptist
(co) Seth Lynn, Mary Hardin-Baylor
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Kaela Parnell, Hardin-Simmons
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2008-2009
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Brandon Pierson, Ozarks
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Lea Rana, Ozarks
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2009-10 ASC COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD CAMPUS HONOREES
MALE
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EAST TEXAS BAPTIST
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Michael Cucinotta
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Sport: Football
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Math
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Hometown: Marshall, TX
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Summary: Two-time male winner of the Joe and Marilyn Hogue Servant Leadership Award at ETBU for the student-athlete who displays the most commitment to service...Has spearheaded ETBU football team's drive to aid Habitat for Humanity projects locally as well as provide mentoring in local elementary schools...three-year letterwinner for the Tiger football team...also takes part in summer missions activities.
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HOWARD PAYNE
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Cordin Young
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Sport: Football
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Practical Theology
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Hometown: Paradise, TX
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Summary: While at Howard Payne he has served the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as the Vice President and as a Student Ministry Intern at Coggin Ave. Baptist Church. Majoring in Practical Theology, he is the 2008-2009 Howard Payne Servant Leadership Award winner and feels called to full-time ministry after graduation. He is a three-time Academic All-Conference award winner and was one of the 2009 captains on the HPU football team. This season playing wide receiver, he caught 37 passes for 402 yards with two touchdowns.
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HARDIN-SIMMONS
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Grant Cooper
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Sport: Football
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Math
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Hometown: Montgomery, TX
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Summary: Grant is part of the Reading With The Cowboys Program. Volunteered For Gator 911. Volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Maintains a 4.0 while serving as a wide receiver on the football team.
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LOUISIANA COLLEGE
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Dustin Tubre
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Sport: Baseball
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Biology
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Hometown: West Monroe, LA
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Summary: A starting pitcher for the Wildcats, Tubre dedicated countless hours visiting local elementary schools as part of Louisiana College Baseball’s “Walk Like a Wildcat” Program.
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MCMURRY
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Greg Guse
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Sport: Baseball
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Math & Business
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Hometown: Pearland, TX
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Summary: Referreed Upward Football(Elementary aged Christian football league)…RA in dorm
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Served tables at Josh Hamilton FCA dinner…Started at 2B for McMurry Baseball…PA Announcer at Soccer Games…Led small groups of baseball players in bible study…Helped with field work responsibilities for baseball program.
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MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR
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Seth Lynn
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Sport: Baseball
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Classification: So.
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Major: Sport Management
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Hometown: Katy, TX
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Summary: Seth organized and helped lead the baseball’s team involvement in this year’s Pink Zone campaign for breast cancer awareness and research. The baseball team sold t-shirts and recognition cards and also took donations throughout the campaign and helped raise more than $950 for breast cancer research. Seth also helped coordinate efforts with other UMHB athletic programs as the school focused its fundraising projects on breast cancer awareness and research. It was through his hard work and coordination efforts that UMHB had its most successful year of community service and fundraising. Seth also earned ASC All-Academic honors as the Cru’s starting first baseman and he helped lead the UMHB baseball team to a fourth straight ASC Championship Tournament berth.
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MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
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Renard Ellis
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Sport: Football
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Business Administration
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Hometown: Winter Haven, FL
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Summary: Renard capped off an outstanding four-year career with a stellar senior season for the Choctaw football team. Renard helped lead the Choctaws to their first ASC Championship since the 1997 with one of the best seasons for a tight end in school history. The Winter Haven, FL native earned AFCA First Team All-America honors as well as D3football.com Third Team All-America honors. Renard exemplifies the team spirit that has allowed the MC football team to be successful. Renard routinely played multiple positions on the field this year in order to help the team. Though an All-American tight end, Renard was willing to be used in whatever role that was needed, and earned the respect of his teammates in the process. On the field Renard led the Choctaws with 58 receptions for 748 yards and eight touchdowns. He matched that achievement in the classroom where he has earned ASC All-Academic recognition each year he has been eligible. With a GPA wellover 3.5 in Business Administration, Renard has plans to continue his education in law school.
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OZARKS
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Mark Perez
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Sport: Basketball
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Classification: Fr.
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Major: Physical Education
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Hometown: Houston, TX
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Summary: Perez volunteers with his local youth church group and is an active member of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries and Alpha and Omega Ministries. Perez helped raise funds for an over-sees mission trip sponsored by Alpha and Omega this past year. Among his community-service activities were assisting with a youth basketball camp and delivering food for the “Meals on Wheels” city program.
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SCHREINER
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Tyrie Prince
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Sport: Basketball
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Classification: So.
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Major: Math/Education
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Hometown: Schertz, TX
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Summary: Tyrie is captain of the men’s basketball team, is a Big Brother in Kerrville, and participates in the Tally Elementary Reading program once/week.
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TEXAS-DALLAS
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Jarod Payne
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Sport: Soccer
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Biochemistry
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Hometown: Tomball, TX
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Summary: Payne, a four-year member of the UTD soccer team, organized and led a new chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at UTD, which was active on campus the last year. He was also active in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
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TEXAS-TYLER
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Brandon Warren
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Sport: Soccer
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Classification: Jr.
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Major: Marketing
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Hometown: Duncanville, TX
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Summary: Brandon logged over 150 hours of community service over the past year, spending a majority of his time with the Make-a-Wish foundation where he fulfilled an internship. He was also involved with Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity and Austin Elementary Day at UT Tyler. On the field, Brandon played in all 17 games (11 starts) and assisted on a pair of goals.
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TEXAS LUTHERAN
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Joel Gronberg
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Sport: Golf
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Spanish
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Hometown: Austin, TX
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Summary: Fall 2007-Spring 2009 Habitat for Humanity…Summer 2007 – present Volunteer at Food Pantry and Clothes Closet at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Austin, TX…Summer 2007 – Present Volunteer at Vacation Bible School at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Austin, TX…Summer 2009 Volunteer at ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA.
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FEMALE
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CONCORDIA TEXAS
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Dalaine Whitlock
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Sport: Soccer
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Classification: So.
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Major: Behavioral Sciences
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Hometown: Belton, TX
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Summary: Dalaine has served many communities this year with her service. She consistently volunteers her time to the athletic department to run concessions for home games and other campus events. She helped lead events at the annual Concordia Field Day for Lutheran Middle School students. Dalaine headed a canned food drive for the Capital Area Food Bank, helped build a handicapped accessible ramp for Texas Ramps at a local home, raised money for the Haiti Relief project during the ASC Make a Change and during another effort. She also volunteered to cleanup Emma Long Park in support of Concordia and Rudy’s BBQ efforts and helped feed the homeless over Christmas break at Temple Bible Church, participates in youth ministry at Hill Country Bible Church and organized student participation for “Light the Night” an event to support the Central Texas Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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EAST TEXAS BAPTIST
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Stacy Havner
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Sport: Softball
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Athletic Training
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Hometown: Kirbyville, TX
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Summary: Winner of the 2009-2010 Joe and Marilyn Hogue Servant Leadership Award at ETBU for the student-athlete who displays the most commitment to service...Four year letterwinner in softball, two-year starter at shortstop...Led team to the 2010 NCAA national title in softball this past spring...serves with her husband Jason Havner as youth ministers at First Baptist Church-Marshall...member of the ASC All-Academic team...graduated this past May and will enter a career in athletic training while continuing to serve in church ministry.
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HOWARD PAYNE
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Ashley Silva
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Sport: Softball
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Classification: Jr.
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Major: Spanish/Education
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Hometown: Angleton, TX
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Summary: She currently serves as president of the Howard Payne Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Ashley coaches and helps with local youth softball programs in Brownwood and in her hometown of Angleton giving free hitting lessons. She read to kids and tutored at an elementary school in Angleton. She also help organized a youth team for the walk-a-thon and helped with Keep Brownwood Beautiful program. Ashley is a three-time All-Conference player at first base, this year’s West Division Player of the Year, and a two-time Academic All-Conference selection for the Lady Jacket softball team.
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HARDIN-SIMMONS
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Kaela Parnell
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Sport: Volleyball
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Pre-Med
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Hometown: Carrolton, TX
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Summary: One of the most active students on campus She is a meals on wheels drive, tutors in the physics program, works with the Boys and Girls Club as a Tutor, Friendship House volunteer, Love and Care Ministries Medical Assistant, American Heart Association Donor, Abilene Food Bank Donator, Abilene Mission Thanksgiving Dinner Volunteer all while being a 4.0 student and the ASC Player of the Year on the volleyball court.
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LETOURNEAU
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Kim Cook
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Sport: Soccer
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Classification: Jr.
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Major: Christian Ministries
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Hometown: Kingwood, TX
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Summary: Vice President of Community Ministries…Organized and planned the Trick or Treat on College Street and Easter Eggstravaganza…Oversee House of Hope and Over the Fence, along with other ministries…Served in Bill Glass Prison ministry trips. . . Mission trip to South padre Island (Spring Break, 2010).
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LOUISIANA COLLEGE
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Meggie Hixson
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Sport: Tennis
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Biology and Chemistry
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Hometown: Lake Charles, LA
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Summary: In addition to being the LC women’s tennis team’s No. 1, a Magna Cum Laude graduate and accepted into the LSU-Shreveport Medical School, Hixson has dedicated many hours to community service and ministry both on campus and abroad. In her undergraduate career, Hixson has managed to squeeze in several foreign mission trips, visiting such countries as Nepal, Kenya and Ukraine.
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MCMURRY
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Amanda Peters
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Sport: Basketball
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Science
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Hometown: Aspermont, TX
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Summary: Peters has been a leader both on and off the court. She was active in volunteering at West Texas Rehabilitation (60 hours), Stonewall memorial Hospital (40 hours) and the Rose Park Camp Rehab (3.5 hours) summer and Fall 2010. She also organized and led our basketball team in fund raising for the Children's Miracle Network for the children's hospital, and Big Brother's Big Sisters Bowl for Kid's Sake Fall/Spring 2010-11. Â Other volunteer activities she participated in this school year were for the Meeks Children's Hospital, Boy's and Girl's Club of America, and Special Olympics Track and Field. She played in every game her four years at McMurry and was the Team Captain her Senior year. Â She was the Student Athletic Advisory committee Vice President this past year as well. She was an excellent student graduating with a 3.76 gpa and will be attending Physical Therapy School in the Fall 2011.
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MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR
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Sara Roman
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Sport: Softball
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Classification: Jr.
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Major: Exercise and Sport Science
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Hometown: Bryan, TX
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Summary: Sara helped organize and lead the softball team’s “Strike Out Breast Cancer” campaign during the fall. The Cru softball team took pledges and donations for every strike out during selected innings of UMHB’s fall doubleheader against Our Lady of the Lake. UMHB also donated all of the gate receipts and sold t-shirts while raising nearly $700 in one afternoon. Sara also serves on the Cru’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and participated in numerous service projects throughout the year. She was an ASC All-Academic selection as the starting rightfielder for UMHB’s West Division Champion softball team.
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MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
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Anna Patterson
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Sport: Basketball
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Mathematics
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Hometown: Sumrall, MS
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Summary: Anna has made the most of her college career both on and off the court. She has made the ASC All Academic team her junior and senior year, was an ASC scholar-athlete in 2008-09, and was the 2009 Recipient of the David M. Halbrook Award for Academic Achievement due to maintaining a 3.96 gpa. (This award is given by the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges to a male /female athlete that achieves high academic success.) Anna’s leadership on the basketball team has been exemplary but not limited to just her teammates. As a result Anna was voted as the Team Captain for basketball by her peers. Anna has also been very instrumental and very hands-on with our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has implemented several community service projects and campus support projects that will continue after she is gone. (Ex: Cookouts at games to get student support in attendance, Think Pink-Race for the Cure donations, canned food drives, angel tree, etc). Athletically, Anna has achieved recognition on the 2nd Team All ASC East Division, Named the ASC East Division Defensive Player of the Year, Team Best Defensive Award and the Outstanding Senior Athlete for Women’ s Basketball.
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SCHREINER
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Samantha Rawlinson
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Sport: Basketball
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Classification: Jr.
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Major: Business Management
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Hometown: Deer Park, TX
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Summary: Sammie is a captain on the Women’s Basketball Team. She pioneered SU’s first “SU Rally” this past fall where all athletes had a day of fun and camaraderie. It was a big success. Sammie is the SAAC President and raised $1,208 for ASC’s “Make a Change”. Sammie is also on the FCA board and is a Big Sister in Kerrville.
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SUL ROSS STATE
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Sandy Torres
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Sport: Tennis
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Classification: Jr.
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Major: Kinesiology
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Hometown: Castroville, TX
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Summary: Sandy helped with variety of activities for the SAAC…she helped organize and conduct the “Make a Change in Fourteen Days” campaign as well as the “Dig for Pink” conducted at the volleyball cross-over tourney. She also volunteered her services for the Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend.
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TEXAS-DALLAS
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Ann Marie Haney
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Sport: Cross Country
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Classification: Jr.
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Major: Neuroscience
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Hometown: Houston, TX
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Summary: Haney, a third-year member of the UTD Cross Country team, organized a group of three teammates who volunteered one weekend at the White Rose Women’s Center in Dallas, a non-profit that assists young women who are faced with crisis pregnancies. The trio spent a day at the Center, sorting out baby clothes and maternity wear for the agency’s clients.
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TEXAS-TYLER
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Kendall Kramer
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Sport: Soccer
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Classification: Jr.
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Major: Psychology
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Hometown: Houston, TX
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Summary: Kendall logged almost 170 hours of community service over the past year, volunteering 140 of those hours at Kingdom Ranch, a Christian summer camp for children with special needs. She also spent time working with Habitat for Humanity, Upward Soccer and Austin Elementary Day at UT Tyler. On the field, Kendall played in all 17 games last fall, scoring seven goals and adding two assists for 16 total points (second on the team).
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TEXAS LUTHERAN
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Jamie Jahns
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Sport: Volleyball
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Classification: Sr.
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Major: Business Marketing
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Hometown: Spring, TX
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Summary: Xi Tau Sorority (officer)…Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity…SAAC (President)…Delta Mu Delta Honor Society…Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society…American Marketing Association.
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