Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
Tuskegee University Athletics honored a year of excellence, perseverance, and championship success during the 2026 All-Sports Awards Banquet Thursday evening in Logan Hall.
Styled as a Draft Night, winners were announced as “draft picks” in categories including “Newcomer of the Year,” “Unsung Hero,” and “Heart of the Tiger,” totaling more than 60 awards presented across the programs in the Tuskegee Athletics portfolio, known as “The Standard”: Sports Medicine, Cheerleading, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Track and Field, Men’s Track and Field, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Tennis, Volleyball, Softball, Baseball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, and Football.
The evening began with a red carpet experience where student-athletes arrived in style. More than 300 student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters gathered in Logan Hall – which was festively adorned with sports-themed table decor and selfie stations – to honor individual and team accomplishments while emphasizing Tuskegee University’s foundational values of purpose, discipline, and legacy.
Akierah Walker, president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and a member of the cross country and track teams, delivered moving remarks about the complex life of a student athlete.
“People see uniforms, wins and titles but they don’t see the struggle,” Walker said acknowledging that her senior year has tested her resolve. “We are constantly chasing perfection while dealing with things like carrying grief and defining what success really is.”
Walker offered words of encourage to all student-athletes to stay true to themselves “beyond your sport” and to honor and seek support for their mental health. She acknowledged her family, Tuskegee University Athletics faculty and staff, and her peers for helping her to stay strong.
“When things get hard – and they will – keep going because someone is rooting for you,” she said to her fellow student-athletes as she closed.
Several of the evening’s most prestigious honors, presented by Deborah Rodgers, Deputy Chief Athletic Director, recognized outstanding performance, character on and off the field, and in the classroom:
- The Elnita Jones Award, presented to the Female Athlete of the Year: Anaya Martin-Track & Field/Cross Country
- The Joe Lampley Award, presented to the Male Athlete of the Year: Kusamae Draper-Men’s Basketball
- Female Athlete with the Highest GPA: Monica Rose (3.84 GPA)
- Male Athlete with the Highest GPA: Ryan Morrow (4.0 GPA)
- The Mark A. Brown Award for Team Highest GPA: Men’s Tennis (3.45 GPA)
The banquet also included special recognition of the SIAC Champion Women’s Indoor Track and Field team, acknowledging their 2025 SIAC Championship.
In his remarks, Tuskegee University Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin offered recognition and praise for the women’s indoor track program, highlighting both their competitive excellence and championship mindset.
“They don’t just talk it—they walk it,” Ruffin said. “This team delivered total domination on the track,
and they told me, ‘AD, we got this.’ And they meant it – they were so dominant during that championship weekend, they could have stayed home a day and still won, he said as guests cheered.
Ruffin credited the success of the program to the leadership of Coaches Jones and Harris, noting their commitment to preparation, accountability, and student-athlete development.
Earlier this spring, Ruffin himself was honored nationally, being named a 2025–26 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year.
The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) selected Ruffin as one of its national honorees in the NCAA Division II category, recognizing his exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to student-athletes and the institution.
The evening concluded with powerful closing remarks from Tuskegee University President and CEO Dr. Mark A. Brown, whose walk-on music was “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled, acknowledging the song as an apt confirmation of what Tuskegee student-athletes represent. Dr. Brown commended the athletes not only for winning in competition but for their dedication in the classroom.
“You have been winning all year long,” he said. “But what makes me the proudest is how you win in the classroom.”
He acknowledged the sacrifices student-athletes make daily—from early mornings and late nights to time spent in the weight room and on the road—while representing Tuskegee University with class and pride.
“You pay the price in sweat equity,” Dr. Brown said. “And Tuskegee is committed to supporting that effort with new facilities, new uniforms, and the best student-athlete experience possible.”
Dr. Brown closed by speaking directly to both returning and graduating student-athletes.
“To every single student-athlete in this room, the moment you chose TU, you became a first-round draft pick in life,” Dr. Brown said. “You were also drafted into a family that will support you long after the final whistle blows.”
“For those who will return next season—to compete, to lead, and to win again—we look forward to what’s next,” he said. “And for those who are graduating, you will always be on our team—whether in life, in graduate school, or as other people begin calling you ‘the boss’ as your careers grow.”
2026 All-Sports Awards Banquet honorees:
Football
- “Game Changer” Award, Mikael King Jr.
- Offensive MVP, EJ Hall
- Defensive MVP, Masiah Wells
- Unsung Hero, Joshua Fuentes
- Specialist of the Year, Lorcan Ryans
Volleyball
- Leadership Award, Najwa Williams
- Academic Award, Kayla Coleman
- Most Improved, Limbre Lawrence
- Defensive Player of the Year, Jasmine Brantley
- Offensive Player of the Year, Zariah Messick
Softball
- Newcomer of the Year, Taneah Gibbons
- Offensive Player of the Year, Kenya Tatum
- Defensive Player of the Year, Alarryn Beckley
- Academic Award, Rachel Ross 3.81
- Impact Player of the Year, Monica Rose
Men’s Basketball
- Most Valuable Player, Kusamae Draper
- Most Improved, Roy Obsaint
- Newcomer of the Year, Khalil Genwright
- Defensive Player of the Year, RJ Walker
- Coaches Award, Noah Goines
- Newcomer of the Year, Anthony Wright
Cheer
- Highest GPA, D’Kaylen Seals 4.0
- Sportsmanship Award, Aaliyah Colar
- Most Valuable Cheerleader, Tai Kennebrew
- Newcomer of the Year, Dawn Rahmaan
- “Tiger” Award, Kelsey Graves
Baseball
- Academic Award-Highest GPA, Ryan Morrow
- “Best Teammate” Award, Aidan Zacarias
- Most Improved, Carter McKenzie
- The “All In” Award, Thavious Neal
Women’s Basketball
- Coaches Award, Trinity Layton
- Defensive Player of the Year, Shemaiah Mackin
- Impact Player of the Year, Aaliyah Duranham
- Newcomer of the Year, Tenea Robinson
- Offensive Player of the Year, Arianna Durrell
Women’s Cross Country
- MVP Women’s Cross Country, Anaya Martin
Men’s Cross Country
- MVP Men’s Cross Country, Malcolm Kibiwot
Women’s Outdoor Track
- MVP Track & Field Award, An’Janae Latchinson
- Newcomer of the Year, Kanijah Angel
- Cleveland Abbott “Win Gold”, Anaya Martin
- Leadership Award, Danielle Wilson
Men’s Outdoor Track
- MVP Track & Field Award, Chris Thomas Jr.
- Eye of the Tiger, Issiah Simms
- “Heart of the Tiger”, Isaiah Waring
Men’s Tennis
- Most Valuable Player, Kevin Wright
- Most Valuable Player, Thomu Thompson
- Keisha Award, Miles Wilson
- Most Improved, Ty’lon Miller
- Teammate of the Year, Torain Alleyne
Women’s Tennis
- Outstanding College Career, Chloe Griffin-Harrington
- Outstanding College Career, Taylor Ford
- Outstanding College Career, Dayna Jackson
- Outstanding College Career, Gabrielle Blanks
- Most Valuable Player, Leiloni Payton
Sports Medicine
- Most Outstanding Female Athletic Trainer, Kei’ley Brown
- Most Outstanding Male Athletic Trainer, Jordan Webb
- Newcomer of the Year, Devon Irving
- Most Dependable Athletic Trainer Award, Chloe Hill
- Most Creative Athletic Trainer Award, Kaitlyn Robinson
© 2026 Tuskegee University
