NJCAA Announces 2025-26 Student-Athlete of the Year Award Recipients
Charlotte, NC – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has announced the 2025-26 Student-Athlete of the Year award recipients, each of whom will be recognized at the 2026 NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards presented by Nufabrx, slated for Thursday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte, NC.
Each year, four NJCAA student-athletes are honored for their achievements on the playing fields, as well as in the classroom and their community, with the highest honors the association has established. The recipients are chosen based on their contributions from the start of the spring 2025 season through the winter 2026 season. The illustrious awards are the Betty Jo Graber Award NJCAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year, the David Rowlands Award NJCAA Male Student-Athlete of the Year, the Lea Plarski Award, and the Champion Award. In addition, the Class of 2026 of the NJCAA Hall of Fame will be inducted, and the NJCAA Foundation will recognize its 2026 Difference Maker Award recipient.
The Betty Jo Graber Award was created by the NJCAA in 1992. Graber was an influential leader in the Association and helped pioneer the creation of the Women's Division of the NJCAA in 1975. Graber was a leader that exhibited dedication, service, and resilience - traits that are recognized annually to the top female student-athlete with the award named in her honor. The 2025-26 Betty Jo Graber NJCAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year is being presented to Isabella Hardeman, softball student-athlete at Murray State College (OK).
Launched at the start of the 1992-93 academic year, the David Rowlands Award annually honors the superior athletic achievements of a male student-athlete. Greatly respected by his peers and colleagues, he was the perfect model of hard work, discipline, ethics, and excellence in two-year college athletics. The David Rowlands Award honors his passion and commitment to the NJCAA and annually recognizes a student-athlete that best exhibits these traits. The 2025-26 David Rowlands NJCAA Male Student-Athlete of the Year award is being presented to Austin Richens, men’s wrestling student-athlete from Northwest College (WY).
Created in 1995, the Lea Plarski Award is presented annually to an NJCAA student-athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, community service, academic excellence, and athletic ability. The honor is named after former NJCAA Board of Regents Chair, Lea Plarski, in recognition of her tremendous service to the association. The 2025-26 NJCAA Lea Plarski Award is being presented to Elijah Palmer, baseball student-athlete at Surry Community College (NC).
The Champion Award was established to honor a current or former member of the NJCAA community who exemplifies resilience, excellence, and passion. The 2025-26 NJCAA Champion Award is being presented to Brianna Oliver, softball student-athlete at Northwest Shoals Community College (AL).
“Celebrating the achievements of our student-athletes is incredibly special every year,” said Dr. Christopher Parker, President and CEO of the NJCAA. “These individuals are very deserving of their awards, and we are proud of the way they represent themselves, their schools, and our association.”
Full stories on each award winner will be released soon.
Tickets for the event are $125 for attendees and registration is required to attend. To register and to learn more regarding the NJCAA Foundation Awards event, visit: HERE.