THE RUBY’S: A RECAP OF RADFORD’S ALL-SPORTS BANQUET
4/25/2013 1:41:00 PM | Baseball, Field Hockey, Radford Athletics, Men's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Men's Track and Field, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Track and Field, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track & Field
PHOTO GALLERY
RADFORD, Va. – Over 400 student-athletes, coaches and staff gathered for Radford's all-sports banquet, The RUby's, Thursday evening inside the Dedmon Center.
The RUby's program is about honoring academic achievement, leadership, community service and highlighting athletic success. Radford's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) presented this year's event.
A meal catered by Outback Steakhouse kicked off the evening, followed by the awards presentation, which included the top-10 plays of the year, humorous videos and much more. The award winners and their accomplishments are below.
The Team of the Year Award
Women's Soccer
This award recognized the team displaying a combination of the best statistics, results, and achievements during the season. In the 2012 season, Radford women's soccer had an undefeated Big South record, a Big South Defensive Player of the Year, four All-Big South selections, three all-state honorees, a 17-game unbeaten streak, and a third conference championship in five years.
Team Community Service Award
Men's Soccer
The Team Community Service Award recognized the program committed to volunteering its time and service to events and projects throughout the community. Radford men's soccer participated in the Polar Plunge and Relay for Life, among many others.
Team Spirit Award
RU Rockers
Team support is vital to the success of any athletics program. Radford student-athletes consistently attend and support each other's programs. The Team Spirit Award recognized the team displaying the most team spirit during the year, which was presented to the RU Rockers.
Team GPA Awards
Men's Tennis
Women's Golf
It was a banner fall semester for our Highlanders, academically. Over 60 percent of Radford University's nearly 300 student-athletes achieved at minimum a 3.0 grade point average for the 2012 fall semester, while 41 percent finished with a 3.4 or above earning Dean's List honors. 35 student-athletes achieved a perfect 4.0 for the term. Radford student-athletes have consistently surpassed the 50 percent threshold when compared academically to other Big South student-athletes and continue to rank among the top schools in the Big South Conference earning Presidential Honor Roll. In fall 2012, two teams attained a term GPA of 3.5, which was the highest of the 19 Highlander programs. With this achievement, men's tennis and women's golf were selected for the Team GPA Award.
Highest GPA Award
Randall Carter—Men's Tennis
Kirsty Condon—Women's Golf
Rachel Conway—Women's Soccer
Paige Reese—Women's Golf
Megan Rhodes—Women's Soccer
Top-10 Plays of the Year
No. 10—Nicholas Sayer / Thomas Dehaen at No. 1 doubles vs. Longwood
No. 9—Stacey Mackintosh's game-tying goal off a corner kick vs. Longwood to force overtime
No. 8—Savanna Burton's kill vs. Elon
No. 7—Joe Mayer's header goal vs. Gardner-Webb in the Big South Men's Soccer Quarterfinals
No. 6—Asyia Mitchell's game-winning strike in the 80th minute vs. Campbell in the Big South Women's Soccer Quarterfinals
No. 5—Ayana Avery's half-court buzzer-beater vs. William & Mary
No. 4—Jeff Kemp's home run to spark a 9-8 victory over 4th-ranked Virginia
No. 3—Javonte Green's alley-oop dunk vs. Central Penn
No. 2—Morgan Eye's grand slam vs. Charleston Southern
No. 1—R.J. Price's game-winning 3-pointer at Gardner-Webb
Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year
Che' Brown—Women's Soccer
This year's Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year broke the Big South single-season record for shutouts with 13, shattering the previous record that had remained untouched for 17 years. In addition to being named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and Tournament MVP, she also set a school record for career shutouts with 27, surpassing the mark of 26 set by Radford Athletics Hall of Famer Peggy Poore in 1985. The Manassas Park, Va. native's save percentage and goals against average ranked 11th and 21st, respectively, in the nation. She served as the last line on a defense that did not yield a goal in over an astounding 660 minutes of action. Her season culminated with a career-high 11 saves against eventual National Champion North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The rising senior has already been named to the preseason top-10 watch list at goalkeeper by topdrawersoccer.com for 2013.
Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year
Vincent Wyatt—Men's Track and Field
This year's Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year became Radford track and field's seventh All-American when he competed in the 60-meter hurdles at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in March. In addition to becoming the first Highlander to qualify for the indoor season's national championships since Brian Richotte did so in 2006, Wyatt became Radford's first All-American since Kyle Morse in 2010. The Atlanta, Ga. native holds all the top-10 indoor marks for the event in program history, including the school record (7.76) ran at the VT Invitational on Jan. 18. The sophomore carried his momentum into the outdoor season where he shattered the school and the Big South record for the 110-meter hurdles at the Wake Forest Invitational where he crossed the line in 13.81 seconds to place first.
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Paige Reese—Women's Golf
Radford's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year is double majoring in management and marketing. She is an active member of SAAC and volunteers a great deal of her time to participating in community service projects and events. The junior has served as a peer mentor in the Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) assisting student-athletes with their academics. She holds a perfect 4.0 GPA and was recently selected to the Big South all-academic team.
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Randall Carter—Men's Tennis
This year's Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year is double majoring in finance and economics. The junior received Radford University's Most Outstanding Student Award in 2010-11 and in 2011-12. He was recently selected for a second year in a row to the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. The Abingdon, Va. native most recently was selected to the 2012 Big South all-academic team.
Senior Leadership Award
It's appropriate in awards shows to save the best for last. The final award of the program was the most prestigious honor a student-athlete earns during his/her career as a Highlander. This award recognizes one senior female and one senior male student-athlete who has excelled in academics and athletics, and has made significant contributions to the community by demonstrating leadership and a commitment to service. Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg presented the Female Senior Leadership Award to Megan Rhodes and the Male Senior Leadership Award to Jeff Kemp.
Female Senior Leadership Award
Megan Rhodes—Women's Soccer
Rhodes served as a student liaison for Radford University's Board of Visitors and was a semifinalist for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, which is given to one collegiate and one professional athlete who has made the greatest positive influence in the lives of others.
A two-year starter and captain for the two-time defending Big South Champions, Rhodes was named to the 2012 Big South all-tournament team and scored the game-winning goal in the league's 2011 title match. The 2012 Big South Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year and 2011 academic all-district selection played in 62 matches and made 39 starts over her four years. During that time, she accumulated seven goals and two assists for the Highlanders.
Double majoring in elementary education and Spanish, the Blacksburg, Va. native was recently awarded Radford University's Outstanding Student of the Year and received the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges distinction, an honor she achieved in 2011-12 as well.
Male Senior Leadership Award
Jeff Kemp--Baseball
Kemp has proven his leadership abilities both on and off the field for the Highlanders' baseball team.
During his career at Radford, Kemp has overcome four injuries that ended with surgeries and still finished as the 2009 Big South Freshman of the Year, a Major League Baseball draft pick by the Los Angeles Angels, a two-time Big South selection, and the 2013 Co-Big South Preseason Player of the Year. In all that work to overcome injuries and still produce success on the field, he also volunteers his time working youth baseball camps and clinics, plus giving his time with his Highlander baseball teammates working on reading skills with elementary students in the Radford community.
A career .306 hitter ranking 10th all-time in career hits, second all-time in career triples, eighth in doubles, seventh in home runs, fifth in RBIs, and ironically, since one of these caused a broken wrist and one of those surgeries mentioned earlier, he is the all-time leader in Radford history in being hit by a pitch.
A double major in finance and accounting and a member of the Big South academic honor roll every semester he has been enrolled at RU, is a student-athlete who as head coach Joe Raccuia says, "attacks the game and life with a positive energy that makes everyone around him better.”
RADFORD, Va. – Over 400 student-athletes, coaches and staff gathered for Radford's all-sports banquet, The RUby's, Thursday evening inside the Dedmon Center.
The RUby's program is about honoring academic achievement, leadership, community service and highlighting athletic success. Radford's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) presented this year's event.
A meal catered by Outback Steakhouse kicked off the evening, followed by the awards presentation, which included the top-10 plays of the year, humorous videos and much more. The award winners and their accomplishments are below.
The Team of the Year Award
Women's Soccer
This award recognized the team displaying a combination of the best statistics, results, and achievements during the season. In the 2012 season, Radford women's soccer had an undefeated Big South record, a Big South Defensive Player of the Year, four All-Big South selections, three all-state honorees, a 17-game unbeaten streak, and a third conference championship in five years.
Team Community Service Award
Men's Soccer
The Team Community Service Award recognized the program committed to volunteering its time and service to events and projects throughout the community. Radford men's soccer participated in the Polar Plunge and Relay for Life, among many others.
Team Spirit Award
RU Rockers
Team support is vital to the success of any athletics program. Radford student-athletes consistently attend and support each other's programs. The Team Spirit Award recognized the team displaying the most team spirit during the year, which was presented to the RU Rockers.
Team GPA Awards
Men's Tennis
Women's Golf
It was a banner fall semester for our Highlanders, academically. Over 60 percent of Radford University's nearly 300 student-athletes achieved at minimum a 3.0 grade point average for the 2012 fall semester, while 41 percent finished with a 3.4 or above earning Dean's List honors. 35 student-athletes achieved a perfect 4.0 for the term. Radford student-athletes have consistently surpassed the 50 percent threshold when compared academically to other Big South student-athletes and continue to rank among the top schools in the Big South Conference earning Presidential Honor Roll. In fall 2012, two teams attained a term GPA of 3.5, which was the highest of the 19 Highlander programs. With this achievement, men's tennis and women's golf were selected for the Team GPA Award.
Highest GPA Award
Randall Carter—Men's Tennis
Kirsty Condon—Women's Golf
Rachel Conway—Women's Soccer
Paige Reese—Women's Golf
Megan Rhodes—Women's Soccer
Top-10 Plays of the Year
No. 10—Nicholas Sayer / Thomas Dehaen at No. 1 doubles vs. Longwood
No. 9—Stacey Mackintosh's game-tying goal off a corner kick vs. Longwood to force overtime
No. 8—Savanna Burton's kill vs. Elon
No. 7—Joe Mayer's header goal vs. Gardner-Webb in the Big South Men's Soccer Quarterfinals
No. 6—Asyia Mitchell's game-winning strike in the 80th minute vs. Campbell in the Big South Women's Soccer Quarterfinals
No. 5—Ayana Avery's half-court buzzer-beater vs. William & Mary
No. 4—Jeff Kemp's home run to spark a 9-8 victory over 4th-ranked Virginia
No. 3—Javonte Green's alley-oop dunk vs. Central Penn
No. 2—Morgan Eye's grand slam vs. Charleston Southern
No. 1—R.J. Price's game-winning 3-pointer at Gardner-Webb
Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year
Che' Brown—Women's Soccer
This year's Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year broke the Big South single-season record for shutouts with 13, shattering the previous record that had remained untouched for 17 years. In addition to being named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and Tournament MVP, she also set a school record for career shutouts with 27, surpassing the mark of 26 set by Radford Athletics Hall of Famer Peggy Poore in 1985. The Manassas Park, Va. native's save percentage and goals against average ranked 11th and 21st, respectively, in the nation. She served as the last line on a defense that did not yield a goal in over an astounding 660 minutes of action. Her season culminated with a career-high 11 saves against eventual National Champion North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The rising senior has already been named to the preseason top-10 watch list at goalkeeper by topdrawersoccer.com for 2013.
Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year
Vincent Wyatt—Men's Track and Field
This year's Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year became Radford track and field's seventh All-American when he competed in the 60-meter hurdles at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in March. In addition to becoming the first Highlander to qualify for the indoor season's national championships since Brian Richotte did so in 2006, Wyatt became Radford's first All-American since Kyle Morse in 2010. The Atlanta, Ga. native holds all the top-10 indoor marks for the event in program history, including the school record (7.76) ran at the VT Invitational on Jan. 18. The sophomore carried his momentum into the outdoor season where he shattered the school and the Big South record for the 110-meter hurdles at the Wake Forest Invitational where he crossed the line in 13.81 seconds to place first.
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Paige Reese—Women's Golf
Radford's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year is double majoring in management and marketing. She is an active member of SAAC and volunteers a great deal of her time to participating in community service projects and events. The junior has served as a peer mentor in the Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) assisting student-athletes with their academics. She holds a perfect 4.0 GPA and was recently selected to the Big South all-academic team.
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Randall Carter—Men's Tennis
This year's Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year is double majoring in finance and economics. The junior received Radford University's Most Outstanding Student Award in 2010-11 and in 2011-12. He was recently selected for a second year in a row to the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. The Abingdon, Va. native most recently was selected to the 2012 Big South all-academic team.
Senior Leadership Award
It's appropriate in awards shows to save the best for last. The final award of the program was the most prestigious honor a student-athlete earns during his/her career as a Highlander. This award recognizes one senior female and one senior male student-athlete who has excelled in academics and athletics, and has made significant contributions to the community by demonstrating leadership and a commitment to service. Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg presented the Female Senior Leadership Award to Megan Rhodes and the Male Senior Leadership Award to Jeff Kemp.
Female Senior Leadership Award
Megan Rhodes—Women's Soccer
Rhodes served as a student liaison for Radford University's Board of Visitors and was a semifinalist for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, which is given to one collegiate and one professional athlete who has made the greatest positive influence in the lives of others.
A two-year starter and captain for the two-time defending Big South Champions, Rhodes was named to the 2012 Big South all-tournament team and scored the game-winning goal in the league's 2011 title match. The 2012 Big South Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year and 2011 academic all-district selection played in 62 matches and made 39 starts over her four years. During that time, she accumulated seven goals and two assists for the Highlanders.
Double majoring in elementary education and Spanish, the Blacksburg, Va. native was recently awarded Radford University's Outstanding Student of the Year and received the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges distinction, an honor she achieved in 2011-12 as well.
Male Senior Leadership Award
Jeff Kemp--Baseball
Kemp has proven his leadership abilities both on and off the field for the Highlanders' baseball team.
During his career at Radford, Kemp has overcome four injuries that ended with surgeries and still finished as the 2009 Big South Freshman of the Year, a Major League Baseball draft pick by the Los Angeles Angels, a two-time Big South selection, and the 2013 Co-Big South Preseason Player of the Year. In all that work to overcome injuries and still produce success on the field, he also volunteers his time working youth baseball camps and clinics, plus giving his time with his Highlander baseball teammates working on reading skills with elementary students in the Radford community.
A career .306 hitter ranking 10th all-time in career hits, second all-time in career triples, eighth in doubles, seventh in home runs, fifth in RBIs, and ironically, since one of these caused a broken wrist and one of those surgeries mentioned earlier, he is the all-time leader in Radford history in being hit by a pitch.
A double major in finance and accounting and a member of the Big South academic honor roll every semester he has been enrolled at RU, is a student-athlete who as head coach Joe Raccuia says, "attacks the game and life with a positive energy that makes everyone around him better.”
Thursday, April 23
Sunday, April 12
Thursday, April 02
Saturday, March 21
