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April 24, 2008
Fayetteville, NC - Fayetteville State University celebrated the accomplishments of their student-athletes at the 23rd Annual All-Sports Banquet, held on Tuesday evening inside the Capel Arena. Sophomore Chekimbrell Jefferson and senior Phillippe' Harris were honored as the female and male Student-Athletes of the Year and presented with the award by the Director of Athletics Dr. Edward McLean. Each head coach of the esteemed athletic programs at FSU represented their sport and paid homage to the student-athletes that balanced academics and athletic performance all season long. Chekimbrell Jefferson, a two-sport student-athlete, was recognized by the university as the Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Jefferson, a 6-2, middle blocker and psychology major from Laurel Hill, North Carolina earned the 2007 CIAA Volleyball Player of the Year Award. Jefferson was instrumental in helping the Lady Broncos post a 21-11 regular season record and going undefeated in the CIAA and Western Division. Jefferson also excelled on the tennis court this season for the Lady Broncos. In her first year playing competitive tennis, Jefferson posted an 11-7 record at the number six singles position, a 10-6 record at the number three doubles position and earned first runner-up for both positions at the 2008 CIAA Tennis Championships. In addition to being recognized athletically, Jefferson was an academic honoree for maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Phillippe' Harris, a native of Fayetteville, NC and Westover High School graduate, was this year's recipient of the Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award. Harris, a captain on the Bronco basketball squad, finished the 2007-08 season second in the CIAA in scoring, averaging 18 points per game. The 5'11, physical education major led the conference in free throw percentage (.843), minutes played (35.92 minutes per game), and was second in three-point field goals made (2.81 per game).
In addition to being one of the statistical leaders in the conference, Harris scored his 1000th career point this season and a second team selection on the 2007-08 Daktronics Men's Basketball Division II All-South Atlantic Region Team. Behind his leadership the Broncos advanced to the finals of the 2008 CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Harris was the leading scorer in each of the Broncos' three tournament games, named Most Valuable Player in the Quarter and Semi-finals, and selected to the 2008 All-CIAA Tournament Team. Sophomore Joel Lynn and junior Shacovia Sheppard received the Meritous Award (formerly the Chancellor's Award of Merit) for their academic excellence and community activism. Lynn, a member of the FSU Golf team, volunteers at numerous country clubs in the surrounding area, has had a superb season on the green for the Broncos, and showcased his academic prowess by maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Sheppard, a forward on the Lady Broncos' basketball team, is also a sergeant in the US Army Reserves. For the second time as a student at FSU, this 22-year-old from Charleston, SC has had to cut her studies short in order to service her country overseas. Sheppard has been called to duty with her unit, the 941st Transportation Company and will soon be deployed to Iraq. In addition to honoring the student-athletes, a donation was made by Dr. James Carson, President of the FSU Athletic Club in the amount of $15,000.00 toward Athletic Scholarships in regards to the 1,000 Bronco Campaign Fund. Mr. Melvin Pierce presented two scholarships on behalf of the Dr. Willis B. McLeod Scholarship in the amount of $6,000.00. Two scholarships will be allocated to a male and a female athlete in the amount of $3,000.00 each student. Student Athlete of the Year Meritous Award Cross Country Men's Basketball Women's Basketball Bowling Cheerleading Football Golf Softball Tennis Volleyball SAAC Sports Medicine CIAA Honor Roll: Demarius Pankey, Constance Lee, Tyima Johnson, Sha'Quana Veney, Chekimbrell Jefferson, Kevin Lyles, Joel Lynn, Derek Scott, and Jeremy Ringled |
