The Howard University Department of Athletics hosted its annual Bison Blue Carpet Awards Monday (April 17) inside Cramton Auditorium. The event recognized student-athletes for their distinguished talents on and off the field, truly a night to remember.
The night opened with opening remarks from Howard Director of Athletics Kery Davis, followed by the MC Jeff Beckett.
Before announcing the team winners, HU acknowledged the Esports Team on winning HBCU Esports Ultimate Championship title.
After handing out all 21 sports’ team awards, the night went into the departmental awards.
HBCU All-America defensive back senior Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) was awarded the Male Athlete of the Year while two-time All-American senior Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.) took home Female Athlete of the Year.
Freshman recognition was on display with men’s basketball newcomer Shy Odom (Roxbury, Mass.) and volleyball’s Rya McKinnon (Bessemer, Ala.) claiming Male and Female Freshman Rookie of the Year, respectively.
Men’s Basketball won Team of the Year while head coach Kenneth Blakeney shared Coach of the Year with Director of Swimming & Diving Nicholas Askew.
One of the many highlights of the night was the Sydney Satchell Award for Perseverance awarded to men’s basketball graduate Jelani Williams (Washington) after multiple knee surgeries and returning to the court to guide the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1993.
Other Bison Blue Carpet Awards included:
- Sports Medicine Award – Robert Jones III (Football)
- Iron Bison Award– Minyarn Smalls (Women’s Track & Field) and Brennan Brown (Football)
- Male Highest GPA – Ben Hoesli (Men’s Soccer) – 4.0 GPA
- Female Highest GPA – De’ja Dade (Women’s Track) & Tiffanee Moore (Women’s Swimming & Diving) – 4.0 GPA
- Team Impact Award – Men’s Basketball
Source: Derek W. Bryant, Howard University Athletics
Image: Howard Athletics Media Relations
