ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Awards Announced

5/18/2011 10:00:00 AM

RICHARDSON, Texas –– Graduating student-athletes from each of the 15 American Southwest Conference member institutions have been named as recipients of the 2010-11 ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Award on their respective campuses, the ASC office announced on Wednesday (May 18).

The ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Award is presented to one male and one female member of the graduating class who has compiled the most outstanding record in academics, athletics and leadership over their collegiate career. The award is presented annually by the Faculty Athletics Representative at each conference member institution.

Recipients of the ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Award winners represent 11 different conference sports and include individuals who graduated with academic honors or hold admissions to graduate-level programs; are members of academic honor societies and campus organizations; competed on national, conference or division title teams; earned ASC All-Academic, Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, All-Conference or All-Division honors; and who served as volunteers, tutors and teachers within their campus, community and church groups.

School	Scholar-Athlete	Major(s)	Sport(s)	Hometown
Concordia Texas	Drew Kasper	Business	Soccer	Pflugerville, Texas
	Lya Morfitt	Psychology	Soccer	Brownsville, Texas
East Texas Baptist	Ryan Yezak	Psychology	Baseball	Snook, Texas
	Kara Linn Beall	Chemistry	Cross Country	Grand Prairie, Texas
Hardin-Simmons	ZaVious Robbins	Marketing	Football	Mesquite, Texas
	Sarah Stansell	Finance / Accounting	Soccer	McAllen, Texas
Howard Payne	Cody Hambrick	Finance	Football	Paradise, Texas
	Ashley Silva	Spanish / Education	Softball	Angleton, Texas
LeTourneau	Jeff Weatherspoon	Mechanical Engineering	Soccer	Longview, Texas
	Brooke Kincade	Business Administration	Tennis	Sugar Land, Texas
Louisiana College	John Willie	Theatre Arts	Golf	Prospect, La.
	Amber Thomas	Management / Marketing	Softball	Monroe, La.
Mary Hardin-Baylor	Mark Miller	Christian Studies	Soccer	Wichita Falls, Texas
	Erin Maenius	Management	Volleyball	San Antonio, Texas
McMurry	Alexander Buchanan	Business	Golf	Keller, Texas
	Erica Rawls	Chemistry / Biochemistry	Basketball	Andrews, Texas
Mississippi College	Barry Prather	Exercise Science	Soccer	Clinton, Miss.
	Hollye Henderson	Psychology	Soccer	Clinton, Miss.
Ozarks	Tyler Wilson	Pre-Law	Tennis	Claremore, Okla.
	Kristi Gordon	Physical Education	Soccer	Fort Worth, Texas
Schreiner	Tory Manchester	Sports Management	Tennis	Quincy, Calif.
	Holly Howard	Exercise Science	Volleyball	Devine, Texas
Sul Ross State	Ricardo Vera	Geology	Baseball / Football	Hebbronville, Texas
	Chelsea Rios	History	Softball	Marfa, Texas
Texas Dallas	Chris Barnes	Business Administration	Basketball	San Antonio, Texas
	Jessica Nassau	Psychology	Volleyball	Orlando, Fla.
Texas Lutheran	Sean Madden	Political Science	Baseball	Durham, N.C.
	Kaysie Boomhower	Communications	Soccer	San Antonio, Texas
Texas-Tyler	Chayce Stone	Kinesiology	Tennis	White Oak, Texas
	Melissa Thomas	Finance	Basketball	Austin, Texas

ASC 2010-11 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD RECIPIENTS

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY TEXAS

Drew Kasper
Major: Business
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): Pflugerville, TX (Concordia Academy)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Drew was one of only four players to start every game for the Tornados in 2010. He has a 3.82 GPA.

Lya Morfitt
Major: Business
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): Brownsville, TX (St. Joe’s HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Lya has been at the forefront of our department for many years as a student athlete and servant leader. She finishes her collegiate career with a 3.91 GPA, SAAC President, nominated for ASC Community Service Award, and attended the NCAA DIII Convention in January 2011. She led a service learning group on campus to develop through her business classes a student “Backyard” on campus and helped CTX raise is largest amount ever during the ASC Make a Change. As a student athlete, she was fifth in team scoring in 2011 and scored a hat trick on Senior Day and was tied for second in assists.

EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

Ryan Yezak
Major: Psychology
Sport: Baseball
Hometown (high school): Snook, TX (SHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: 3.79 Cumulative GPA over 122 hours; Ryan has the following awards over the last two years: 2011: 2nd Team All-Conference American Southwest Conference; Baseball Sportsman Athlete of the Year (Conference); 2010: Honorable Mention All Conference; Baseball Sportsman Athlete of the Year (Conference); Robert E. Craig Christian Athlete of the Year (School)

Kara Linn Beall
Major: Chemistry
Sport: Cross Country
Hometown (high school): Grand Prairie, TX (GPHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: 4.0 Cumulative GPA over 90+ hours; Dean’s List with Honors all semesters attended; ASC Female Cross Country Runner of the Week; ETBU Cares (Fall 2010), “I went to Robert E. Lee elementary school for a couple hours every week and helped the kids with reading and anything else they had to do. Most of the time one or two kids would read to me and talk to me; Organization of ETBU Community Block Party, Fall 2010, “It was a time for all of the community to come together and to build relationships within the community and with ETBU and Second Baptist Church. I helped with setting up and tearing down...We also had a lot of activities for the kids like pony rides, bounce houses, and face painting; Member, Crossroads Baptist Church, “I have been involved with my church, Crossroads Baptist Church, by helping with events like Disciple Now. This spring during Disciple Now we had a service component where each group took $30 and used it to spread Jesus’ love. My group took flowers and cards with verses to the hospital to share with people and pray with them.”

HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY

ZaVious Robbins
Major: Marketing
Sport: Football
Hometown (high school): Mesquite, TX (MHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Robbins has been an exemplary leader on not only the field by the Hardin-Simmons campus as a whole. He graduated with a 3.93 GPA and was a National Football Foundation Scholar All-American. He never missed a day of classes from kindergarten through graduation at Hardin-Simmons. He was an All-American on the field and was three times an All-ASC performer. He had 89 catches for 1271 yards and 12 TDs for the Cowboy football team. He was a three-time captain and two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American selection. He was named the ASC Distinguished Scholar Athlete.

Sarah Stansell
Majors: Finance and Accounting
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): McAllen, TX (MHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Was one of the team captains for the national champion Cowgirls and was an All-American selection both athletically and academically (two times). She was named the Elite 88 Award Winner at the Final Four. She was a three-time CoSIDA academic all-district selection, a scholar-All American and three-time academic-All ASC selection. She posted a 4.0 GPA.

HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY

Cody W. Hambrick
Major: Finance
Sport: Football
Hometown (high school): Paradise, TX (PHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Cody, a finance major with a 3.95 GPA, is a three-time Academic All-Conference honoree. Last season, as a Captain, he led HPU in receiving, catching 58 passes for 679 yards with 6 touchdowns. In 2009, Cody was honored as a member of the ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team. Cody has been a member of the Howard Payne FCA for 4 years and solely took on the role of President in the spring of 2010. He is a member of the Gamma Beta Phi (Honor Society) and Sigma Beta Delta (Business Honor Society). He will be receiving the School of Business Outstanding Student Award and Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities recognition during the Academic Awards Convocation.

Ashley Silva
Majors: Spanish, Education
Sport: Softball
Hometown (high school): Angleton, TX (AHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Ashley, a Spanish major with a 3.86 GPA, is a three-time All-Conference player at first base and a two-time All-Conference selection for the Lady Jacket softball team. In 2010, she was named to the ESPN, the Magazine Academic All-District Second Team, the ASC West Division Player of the Year, and was among the leaders in walks (8th in walks per game) and on base percentage (10th) in the nation. She currently serves as president of the HPU Student Athlete Advisory Committee and is a member of Delta Chi Rho.

LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY

Jeff Weatherspoon
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): Longview, TX (LHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: One of the anchors of the YellowJackets’ defense, Jeff played in all 18 LeTourneau games this season and started 16 of them. He provided a strong leadership example in games and in practice. He is a dedicated worker on and off the field. Jeff has maintained a 3.9 GPA while majoring in mechanical engineering. He also provided academic leadership to his teammates, assisting and tutoring them in calculus and other high-level classes.

Brooke Kincade
Major: Business Administration
Sport: Tennis
Hometown (high school): Sugar Land, TX (Elkins HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Brooke accumulated the best singles’ record on the YellowJackets team this season, going 13-5. She went 10-3 in the No. 4 flight and also was 1-0 in flight two. She teamed with Sarah Case as the YellowJackets’ No. 1 doubles pairing for most of the season and went 10-7. Her athletic accomplishments are only topped by her academic prowess. A graduate student, she graduated in less than four years in Fall, 2009, and will receive her master’s degree in May. In addition to playing tennis, she also served as a graduate assistant coach on the women’s soccer team, the team for which she came to LeTourneau to play in 2006.

LOUISIANA COLLEGE

John Willie
Major: Theater Arts
Sport: Golf
Hometown (high school): Prospect, LA (Grant HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: This academic All-Conference performer is also a longtime member of theatre Louisiana College. Frequent volunteer with Alexandria, LA, community theatre. Acting media coordinator at Pineville Christian Church (also works with the youth). Has spent the last five years as a volunteer with the First Tee program and has run the Central Louisiana junior golf tour for two years. Also active in campus religious activities, where he hosts group Bible studies for various campus men, particularly his men’s golf teammates.

Amber Thomas
Majors: Management, Marketing
Sports: Soccer, Cross Country, Tennis
Hometown (high school): Monroe, LA (Home school)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Thomas, an All-Conference and All-Region performer at catcher and Academic All-Conference honoree will be making a mission trip to Uganda this summer, a trip she is paying for out of pocket with money raised by selling shirts, concessions and other items over the past three months (all while still leading the LC softball team in home runs). In addition to mission work, Thomas also volunteers at the local Goodwill, has worked with the local food bank for two years and worked at a summer camp in Texas since 2009. She makes frequent visits to churches throughout Central and Northern Louisiana as a Disciple Now leader. She has also organized a fundraiser for St. Judes via the collection of Coke tabs and was a an active fundraiser for Louisiana College’s SAAG committee in the “Make a Change” program.

UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR

Mark Miller
Major: Christian Studies
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): Wichita Falls, TX (Rider HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Mark was a two-time ASC All-Conference selection and set a new conference record for shutouts by a goalkeeper. He was voted the ASC Men’s Soccer Distinguished Scholar-Athlete as a senior and also earned ESPN The Magazine All-District VI First Team honors twice during his career. Mark also earned ASC All-Academic Honors three times and was a four-time UMHB Vice-President for Athletics Honor Roll selection. He also claimed ASC Defensive Player of the Week honors four times during his career. Mark became the first UMHB student-athlete selected to play Jesus in the campus production of the Easter Pageant this year. Mark has also organized mission trips to Hawaii and has the highest GPA among senior male student-athletes at UMHB.

Erin Maenius
Major: Management
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown (high school): San Antonio, TX (MacArthur HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Erin was a four-year letter winner for Cru volleyball and earned ASC All-Division honors four times, three of those as a First Team selection. She was also voted ASC East Division Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and became the first student-athlete in UMHB history to win ASC Preseason Player of the Year honors three times. Erin was voted ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete for volleyball this year. She was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team pick and earned ASC All-Academic honors three times. Erin graduated with the highest GPA among female senior student-athletes at UMHB and was a four-time member of the UMHB Vice-President for Athletics Honor Roll. She was also active on campus and in the community. Erin participated in community service projects with “Helping Hands” ministry, the “Adopt-A-Family” program, the Dig Pink campaign for breast cancer awareness and the “Make-A-Change in 14 Days” program.

MCMURRY UNIVERSITY

Alexander Buchanan
Major: Business
Sport: Golf
Hometown (high school): Keller, TX (Fort Worth Christian)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Alexander joined our men’s golf team as a freshman in 2007 and has played an integral role in the success of our program. Alexander has maintained a GPA of 3.87 while majoring in General Business.

Erica Rawls
Major: Chemistry & Biochemistry
Sport: Basketball
Hometown (high school): Andrews, TX (AHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Erica joined our women’s basketball team as a freshman in 2007 as a point guard and has played an integral role in the success of our program. During her sophomore season she helped lead her team to an American Southwest Conference (ASC) Western Division Title. In her junior season Erica became a reliable starter and helped lead her team to with 4 points of claiming the ACS Tournament Championship. During her 4 year career she started ~33% of her games and excelled in defense with over 60 steals and shooting 70% from the free throw line. Erica was recognized as Academic All-Conference for 3-years and Honorable Mention for the ASC All-Conference for the West Division in 2011. While excelling on the court, Erica has been stellar in the classroom. She has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.87 while majoring in Biochemistry. In addition, she has participated in cancer research and conducted a study seeking to improve the efficiency of chemotherapy treatments. Erica has attended scientific meetings to present her research with cancer professionals and will graduate from the Honors Program at McMurry University this May. Additionally, Erica has been inducted in the Alpha Chi National Honors Society.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
Barry Prather
Major: Exercise Science
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): Clinton, MS (CHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Barry is a member of the Mississippi Alpha Chapter of Alpha Chi, the National Honor Society, the ASC Academic All Conference team (3 years), the ASC Distinguished Scholar Athlete team, and a recipient of the David M. Halbrook Award for academic and athletic achievement by the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities. Barry has been a leader off the field and actively involved in the community by participating in things such as: Volunteer for the Clinton Community Christian Corporation in helping organize food pantry for needy families, provided volunteer yard work for elderly citizens in Clinton, worked on multiple Habitat for Humanity building projects, served as Disciple Now leader for 7th graders, served as a tutor in the chemistry department, volunteered at the Clinton Care Center Nursing Home to participate in activities with the elderly, involved in summer missions to Mexico City, member of the lead team for “Wired” College Ministry at FBC Clinton, and volunteered in a 3 day cancer research project at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Barry was a team captain, ASC All Conference 1st team (SR year), ASC All Conference 3rd team (JR year), voted team “Best Mid-Fielder” in 2009, 2nd on the team in goals scored in 2008 and 2009.

Hollye Henderson
Major: Psychology
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): Clinton, MS (CHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Hollye is a member of Who’s Who Among American University and College Students, the Mississippi College President’s list, the Mississippi College Dean’s list, the ASC All Academic team (3 years), and a member of the ODK and Psi Chi Honor Societies. Hollye has been a leader off the field and has actively been involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team, served on the FCA-Apartment Ministry team, member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, member of the “We Will Go” Ministry, worked on several Habitat for Humanity building projects, served on missions trips to New York as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Hollye was a three year team captain, ASC All Conference 3rd team (FR year), ASC All Conference Honorable Mention (JR year), ASC All Conference 2nd team (SR year), received the Paul Lacoste Athlete of the Year award.

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

Tyler Wilson
Major: Pre-Law
Sport: Tennis
Hometown (high school): Claremore, OK (Claremore HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Tyler Wilson has been a consistent player and a team leader over the last four years for the men’s tennis program. A three-time member of the ASC All-Academic Team, Wilson excelled in the classroom, earning a spot on the President’s List and Dean’s List during his career. Wilson, who will graduate with honors, has been accepted into the Law Schools at both St. Louis University and Northeastern University. His campus involvement includes the Student Government Association, the Residence Hall Association and the Student Foundation Board.

Kristi Gordon
Major: Physical Education
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): Fort Worth, TX (Crowley HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Gordon made her mark on the women’s soccer program as a four-year starter, finishing her career ranked ninth at Ozarks in career assists (6), fifth in career shots (90) and second in career games started (69). On the field, she served as a team captain and was the team’s top offensive player in 2010. She capped her senior season by earning All-Conference honors. An active participant of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Gordon spearheaded the conference-wide team sportsmanship award that was given to the women’s soccer program in 2010. Additionally, she earned ASC All-Academic Team honors during her career.

SCHREINER UNIVERSITY

Tory Manchester
Major: Sports Management
Sport: Tennis
Hometown (high school): Quincy, CA (Plumas Christian HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Tory is a great representative of the Schreiner University and the SU Tennis program. He was one of the leaders on the tennis team, and compiled six wins on the season. Academically, Tory is consistently on the President's List.

Holly Howard
Major: Exercise Science
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown (high school): Devine, TX
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Holly is consistently on the Presidents List, and has made the ASC All-Academic Team for the last three years. She works extremely hard on the court, and is has been one of the more reliable players on the squad. There is no question that Holly will be very successful, after she leaves Schreiner University and enters her professional life.

SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY

Ricardo A. Vera
Major: Geology
Sports: Baseball, Football
Hometown (high school): Hebbronville, TX (HHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Ricardo A. Vera is a senior, Geology major, from Hebbronville, Texas with a 3.473 gpa. He is a member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society and has made the Dean’s List at least one semester of every year enrolled in college. He is included in Who’s Who Among College Students, was named Outstanding Geology Undergraduate in 2010, named to to the All-conference Academic Football Team in 2008 and 2009, and the All-conference Academic Baseball Team in 2009 and 2010. He also participated in collegiate wrestling in 2009. As SRSU Hill Club President, under his leadership the club has done vast amounts of work to improve campus trail systems and trail systems in Big Bend Ranch State Park. The club also offers tours, hikes, trail-rides, and camping with occasional river rafting, and canoeing on the Rio Grande. He attended the Geology Field Camp in 2010 and is GIS certified. He is also a member of the Newman Club and serves as Geology Club Treasurer/Secretary. Fluent in Spanish, his career goal is to obtain a position as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent.

Chelsea Rios
Major: History
Sport: Softball
Hometown (high school): Marfa, TX (MHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Chelsea Rios senior, history major, from Marfa, Texas with a 3.75 gpa. She is a member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society, making the Dean’s List every semester. She is Who’s Who Among College Students and a McNair Scholar. She presented her McNair research twice on campus, at the University of California, Berkley, and published it in the Cenizo Journal Spring of 2011. She was named All-Conference Academic Softball Team in 2009, 2010 and 2011, ASC Distinguished Scholar Athlete in 2010 and 2011, and received the Lobo of the Year award for Softball for four consecutive years. She served on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee in 2010, was a member of the Black Student Association 2010, and appeared in two theatre productions. She is also active in the Baptist Student Ministry, currently Vice-President. Community service includes Assistant Coach for Marfa Little Dribblers 2007, Camp Sponsor for Paisano Baptist Encampment’s Summer Camp 2009 and 2010, trip sponsor for Pecos Junior High, Reading to 4th graders at Pecos Bessie Haynes Elementary for three years, participated in Hillside Baptist Church’s Nativity Story Christmas 2010, Relay for Life in 2009 and 2010, and a Wildfire Ministries Missionary to Glascgow, Scotland in 2009.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

Chris Barnes
Major: Business Administration
Sport: Basketball
Hometown (high school): San Antonio, TX (Churchill HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Chris Barnes progressed from a part-time impact player as a freshman and sophomore to an award-winning team leader in his third season with the Comets… Barnes was named the American Southwest Conference East Division Player of the Year and was selected to the prestigious ASC All-Conference team, as well as a second-team honoree on the National Basketball Coaches Association All-America team… Was a spark off the bench on two UTD teams that advanced to the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA National Championship Tournaments in 2009 and 2010… Led the Comets and the ASC East Division in scoring in 2010 with a 17.6 ppg average, hitting 41.7 percent of his three-point shot… Also averaged a team-high 6.9-rebounds-per-game… Played on three ASC Championship Tournament teams, advancing twice to the title game and winning the 2009 ASC Championship… two-time ASC Academic All-Conference team selection. Academically Chris has done very well at UTD, graduating in just three years with, currently, an overall GPA of over 3.6.

Jessica Nassau
Major: Child Learning and Developmental Psychology
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown (high school): Orlando, FL (Dr. Phillips HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Jessica Nassau’s breakthrough season in 2009 culminated with endless accolades, including the American Southwest Conference East Division MVP award… Also selected first-team ASC All-Conference and to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-South Region team… Honorable Mention AVCA All-America in 2009… She totaled 777 career kills over a four-year career, 4th best all-time for the Comets… Finished her career as a two-time All-ASC selection and school career leader in a both blocks (244) and block assists (205)… three-time ASC Academic All-Conference selection… participated in several community service projects with the UTD volleyball team and been the team representative to the UTD Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Her athletic accomplishments have dovetailed with her academic ones where she has about a 3.4 GPA in Psychology.

TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

Sean Madden
Major: Political Science
Sports: Baseball
Hometown (high school): Durham, NC (Jordan HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Sean, a senior relief pitcher for the Bulldog baseball team, will graduate in May. A political science major and two-year letterman for the Bulldogs, he holds a cumulative GPA of 3.906. The 6-foot-7 right-hander went 4-2 and added two saves with a 4.08 ERA in his senior season. Sean tossed four shutout innings in relief in the Bulldogs’ season finale at the ASC Championship Tournament divisional playoff series. Sean was a student in the TLU’s “Washington Semester,” studying at American University in Washington D.C.

Kaysie Boomhower
Major: Communications
Sport: Soccer
Hometown (high school): San Antonio, TX (Madison HS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Kaysie, a senior for San Antonio and a May graduate, earned a shot at Academic All-America honors for a second consecutive season. She was a 2009-10 Academic All-District VI First Team selection and added 2010-11 Academic All-American VI First Team Honors. Kaysie, a communications major, holds a 3.962 cumulative GPA. A women’s soccer player, Kaysie earned American Southwest Conference Third Team All-ASC honors. She tied for the team lead in goals, with eight, and led the team in assists, with seven. She registered a team-best 23 total points.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER

Chayce Stone
Major: Kinesiology
Sport: Tennis
Hometown (high school): White Oak, TX (WOHS)
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Stone is a four-year letter winner for UT Tyler and was a part of four Patriot ASC East Division Championship teams and three ASC Tournament Championship/NCAA tournament teams. He is a three-time Academic All-American Southwest Conference honoree. Stone’s community service activities include working with the Hope Open as well as the Relay for Life on the UT Tyler campus. As a player, he holds a 29-10 career singles record.

Melissa Thomas
Major: Finance
Sport: Basketball
Hometown (high school): Austin, TX (Lake Travis HS)

Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments: Holding down a 3.97 GPA, Thomas, captain of the Patriot women’s basketball team, is currently working on her MBA at UT Tyler after graduating with a degree in Finance. A three-year starter for the Patriots who has twice rebounded from ACL surgery, Thomas has led the Patriots in scoring twice during her career, including the 2010-11 season where she averaged 14.5 points per game. She is a First Team All-ASC selection as well as a three-time Academic All-Conference honoree. In addition to her studies and basketball, Thomas also works full time for a financial planning firm in Tyler. She regularly participates in community service activities with the UT Tyler women’s basketball team, including work with the East Texas Food Bank and the Tyler Public Library’s reading program.

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