NJCAA announces 2024-25 Student-Athlete of the Year award recipients
Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced 2024-25 Student-Athlete of the Year recipients, each of whom will be recognized at the 2025 NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards presented by Nufabrx, slated for Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 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 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 2025 of the NJCAA Hall of Fame will be inducted, and the NJCAA Foundation will recognize its 2025 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 2024-25 Betty Jo Graber NJCAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year is being presented to Oruha Hayashi, women’s soccer student-athlete at Iowa Western Community College.
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 2024-25 David Rowlands NJCAA Male Student-Athlete of the Year award is being presented to Adam Bresnu, men’s golf student-athlete at Odessa College (TX).
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 Lea Plarski in recognition of her tremendous service to the association. The 2024-25 NJCAA Lea Plarski Award is being presented to Mairen Mannon, women’s volleyball student-athlete at Heartland Community College (IL).
The Champion Award was established to honor a member or former member of the NJCAA community who exemplifies resilience, excellence, and passion. The 2024-25 NJCAA Champion Award is being presented to Emmie Long, women's cross country student-athlete at Enterprise State Community College (AL).
“We are exceptionally proud of these student-athletes,” said Dr. Christopher Parker, President and CEO of the NJCAA. “Their accomplishments are outstanding, and each are deserving of the honors they are being bestowed.”
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.