Bethany Student-Athletes Honored at Annual Bison Awards

BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted their annual Bison Awards Banquet on Sunday, Apr. 30, in Commencement Hall. A crowd of over 300 athletes, coaches, faculty, and support staff came out to honor each other.

The following athletes, teams, and support staff were recognized:

Academic Team Award

Men's Swimming and Women's Cross-Country

Sportsmanship Award

Lynn Burton (Women's Volleyball)

Christian Funari (Men's Lacrosse)

Noah Gill (Football)

Alexis Mahaffey (Track & Field)

Qujuan McGlothin (Track & Field)

Aidah Shuttleworth (Swim)

Male Rookie of the Year

Cole Dailey (Men's Basketball)

Female Rookie of the Year

Jada Carter (Women's Lacrosse)

Comeback Team

Women's Soccer

Comeback Athlete of the Year

Grace Tice (Track & Field)

 JD Hull Bison Backer Award

Drew VonScio

Heather Taylor "HT" Award

Dr. Jeff Bryson

Excellence in Community Service

Women's Basketball

Cross-Country/Track

Men's Basketball

 Game of the Year

Women's Volleyball vs. Thiel PAC Championship

Coach of the Year

Courtney Hilyer (Women's Volleyball)

Male Athlete of the Year

Colton Stoneman (Baseball)

Female Athlete of the Year

Grace Tice (Track & Field)

Bison360 Award

1st Place – Women's Volleyball

2nd Place – Women's Soccer

3rd Place – Men's Lacrosse / Women's Basketball

Derrick Hoffman Award

Jack Gilman (Track & Field / Football)

Samaria Murry (Women's Basketball)

 Special Recognition 

Director of Athletics, Brian Sansom presented former women's volleyball head coach Courtney Hilyer with a gift of appreciation for her 16 seasons with the program. 

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee renamed the Bison Backer Award after John and Debra Hull, as the JD Hull Bison Backer Award. The award is presented to a student who supports our athletic programs, as well as the HT Award which recognizes a faculty, staff, or community member who supports our athletic programs. 

The Derrick Hoffman Honorees are nominated by the Athletic Department and chosen by the administration. This distinguished honor is bestowed upon a student-athlete who exemplifies the values of Bethany College Athletics and the Bison Way. Competitiveness, humility, sacrifice, work ethic, and commitment to academics and student life are hallmarks of the values sought in honorees.

The Bison360 Award represents three teams who embody what it means to be a Bethany College total scholar-athlete. They aim to be leaders in the classroom, within the athletics department, and in the campus community. This award was voted on by students, faculty, and staff and will be given to three teams who build relationships across campus, strive to challenge themselves in every aspect of their performance, and represent our campus to the best of their abilities.