OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD

The Outstanding Service Award recognizes any faculty, staff or friend of the College (outside of athletics) who has contributed to the growth and development of the athletic department through participation and involvement in enhancing the quality of student-athlete experiences at UVA Wise. Sara Schill and Kendra Potter, Outstanding Service Award

Schill has served many of our student-athletes mental health needs in the traditional clinic setting but has also shown up for them in additional ways. She has created and facilitated team-specific workshops and was present to support them during a time of tragedy after the loss of Gage Clark this spring.

Schill is continuously present in times of need to provide care and comfort. She works tirelessly behind the scenes as a practitioner and an advocate putting the health, specifically mental health, of our Highland Cavaliers at the forefront.

 Potter’s passion in life is to help people and the student-athletes of UVA Wise hold a special place in her heart. In the summer of 2022, she voluntarily led all efforts to rebuild athletic training services and maintain the department’s operations prior to the arrival of a new athletic training staff. Potter covered pre-season practices for volleyball and football on her days off and has continued to support the athletic trainers and student-athletes whenever possible. She has proven she will always be present to support in times of need and will always be on the sidelines and front row of the Prior Center cheering on the Cavaliers!

Previous Outstanding Service Award Winners:

TEAM OF THE YEAR

The Team of the Year award is given to a team that has had an outstanding season — displaying unity, togetherness, and sportsmanship on and off the court. They are model representatives for UVA Wise and have met or exceeded their goals this year.

The men’s basketball team put together the program’s best season as an NCAA Division II member this winter by advancing to the South Atlantic Conference Tournament finals. The team recorded its most victories since 2003 with 19 and saw four student-athletes receive all-conference recognition.

The season featured many monumental wins, including an 86-78 victory over Lincoln Memorial in the SAC Tournament semifinals and a 106-83 thrashing of Emory & Henry College. Overall, the team won 12 home games this season, the most for the program since moving to the Prior Center.

Previous Team Of The Year Winners:

COACH OF THE YEAR

The Coach of the Year award is presented to the coach who has most successfully led their program this year. It recognizes outstanding efforts by the coach and exceptional service to the athletic department and the College. Additionally, the coach has shown consistent dedication to all aspects of the sport and strives for improvement every season on and off the field.

Mellinger led the basketball program to one of the biggest turnarounds in college basketball last winter with a 15-win improvement.

UVA Wise won 19 games overall, representing the most for the school since joining NCAA Division II and appeared in a conference tournament final for the first time since 2010. Four student-athletes earned all-conference honors under Mellinger’s tutelage, including Bradley Dean who became just the second player in program history to earn Conference Player of the Year honors.

Previous Coach Of The Year Winners:

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

The Freshman of the Year award recognizes the student-athlete who, in their first year of intercollegiate competition, has excelled in their sport and made significant contributions to their team.

Schultz earned Second-Team All-SAC honors in her first collegiate season as she led the team in goals (37), assists (18) and points (55).

During one stretch this season, the midfielder recorded a hat trick in four consecutive games. Additionally, she assisted on five goals while scoring once in UVA Wise’s 9-8 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne in the SAC Tournament.

Previous Freshman Of The Year Winners:

PLAY OF THE YEAR

The Play of the Year award recognizes the student-athlete who made a remarkable play on the field or court during the 2022-2023 athletic season.

The winner is Bradley Dean and the men’s basketball team on a game-winning 3-pointer at Newberry in the SAC Tournament that propelled the program to its first SAC Tournament win in school history! SEE THE PLAY IN THE TWEET BELOW:

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

The Male Athlete of the Year award recognizes the male student-athlete who has excelled most this year. The student has shown consistent dedication to their sport while striving for constant self-improvement. The player has excelled as an athlete and has contributed significantly to the success of their team.

Dean became the second player in men’s basketball history to earn Conference Player of the Year this season and the second to earn All-America honors as he aided the team to 19 wins and an appearance in the conference championship.

Dean tied a SAC Tournament record with 30 made field goals en route to an All-SAC Tournament Team selection while his 21.4 points per game this winter led the conference.

Previous Male Athlete Of The Year Winners:

CAVALIER OF THE YEAR

The Cavalier of the Year award is presented to the student-athlete who is distinguished academically and athletically and embodies the core attributes of NCAA Division II: Learning, Balance, Resourcefulness, Sportsmanship, Passion, and Service. This student-athlete shows school spirit and supports their peers and the athletic department.

A four-year letter winner on the tennis team, Kilgore has been the ultimate Cavalier during his time at UVA Wise. Always present at sporting events, Kilgore is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Darden Society, an officer in the Kinesiology Club and a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

An intern inside the athletic training department on campus, Kilgore serves as a tennis and basketball coach at nearby Eastside High School. An exercise science major, he has posted a 3.89 grade point average while managing the plethora of extra-curricular activities he is involved in.

Previous Cavalier Of The Year Winners: