2011 University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Student/Athlete Banquet

 

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
[email protected]

More than 200 people — family, friends, faculty, fans and athletes — convened on the Stubblefield Center floor, transformed into a banquet hall, for the student Athletic Banquet Wednesday evening.

The event honored the athletic and also academic performance of University of Arkansas at Fort Smith student athletes as well as supporters of the athletic programs. The menu consisted of lemon garlic chicken, roast beef, salad, veggies and roasted new potatoes — all prepared and served by campus foodservice employees.

The first student speaker, senior Chris Williams of the Lions Basketball team, took to the podium following a presentation summarizing the past year’s athletic accomplishments and promoting the Numa Society by Chancellor Dr. Paul Beran.

Williams, somewhat of an outgoing showman and never at a loss for words, found public speaking a bit harrowing.

"I would like you all to close your eyes so you can’t look at me while I’m doing this speech…bear with me; I’m nervous; I can’t hide it. How do I look? Do I look okay," Williams said at the beginning to an audience who laughed along with him.

The customary "Thank You’s" to parents, teachers, coaches and attendees followed.

He continued after a few pauses and proclamations of his nervousness: "Being here at this university has helped me build my character. You know, some people have their own definition of what character is but to me character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of ourselves but the tree is the real thing. It’s not who you are underneath it’s what you do that defines you. So as I leave this school and enter into the real world, I will remember what a wise man once told me: If you want to succeed, you should strike out on new paths rather than travel on the worn paths of accepted success and more importantly, a successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who defines such a man."

In closing, Williams said, "Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present. Follow your heart, chase your dreams and you’ll be okay in anything you strive to do and accomplish.”

Other awards were presented for the athletic club member of the year, cheer and pom squads and cross country following Williams’ speech before volleyball coach Jane Sargent took the stage.

Emotions went from nerves (Williams) to tears as Sargent recounted her experiences with her team and bid farewell to to seniors Lucia Nasjelova, Brittany Hunt and Megan Doherty. Women’s basketball coach Louis Whorton, who spoke later in the program, said the last time he saw Jane cry was in 1997 or 98 when someone stole the net before the first ever volleyball game at UA Fort Smith (then Westark).

And the awards continued with recognition given to the basketball program, tennis team, golf and baseball.

The second student speaker, Ashley Arnold of the Lady Lions Basketball Team, gave a chronological account of her college career from her discovery by coach Whorton while she was playing in Mountainburg High School through the ups and downs of four years at UAFS. Arnold will graduate this year with a degree in business administration.

"Regardless of all the other athletic accomplishments I have been able to partake in as a Lady Lion here, nothing makes me prouder than to say than I’m a college graduate from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith," Arnold said.

Award recipients:
• Chuck A. Fawcett Booster Club Members of the Year
Brenda and Jerry Frederiksen

• Lions Pride Award
Tracey Elliff

• Pom Senior
Amy Castleman

• Cheer Senior
Emily Elkins

• Cross Country Awards
Jacque Bowen – Most Improved
Erica Burgess – Most Valuable Player
TaBaris Earnest – Most Improved
TaBaris Earnest – Most Valuable Player
Senior Award – Erica Burgess

• Volleyball
Heartland Conference 1st team
Brittany Hunt and Jettie Stec
Senior Awards
Lucia Nasjelova
Brittany Hunt
Megan Doherty

• Men’s Basketball
Heartland Conference 1st team
Josh Simmons
Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year
Jake Toupal

Gayle Kaundart Leadership Award
Djordje Stojanovich

Senior Awards
Josh Simmons and Chris Williams

• Women’s Basketball
Heartland Conference Co-Player of the Year
Colby Hill (also a 1st team All-conference selection)
Senior Awards
Ashley Arnold and Adel Morris

• Tennis (men’s)
MVP
Evan Piche
Senior Awards
T.J. Holmes and Evan Piche

• Tennis (women’s)
Senior Award
McKenzie McCullough

• Golf (ladies)
Katie Schluterman Kratzberg Award (most outstanding female golfer)
Jena Alexander and Johannah Hendrex
Seniors
Jena Alexander, Johannah Hendrex and Lacy Martin

• Golf (men’s)
Bill Wilson Award (Most Outstanding male Golfer)
Matt McKown
Senior Award
Taylor Owens

• Baseball
Wayne Layman Award
Austin Rawls
Senior Award
Clay Washington

• Commissary Kiwanis Outstanding Female Athlete
Ashley Arnold

• Commissary Kiwanis Outstanding Male Athlete
Clay Washington