2024 NAIA Awards Program

COREY WESTRA EMCEE

Corey Westra was named the second commissioner of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in April of 2003. Westra holds a B.A. in Communication from Dordt University (Iowa) and an M.A. in Management from Briar Cliff University (Iowa) with an emphasis in Leadership.

Westra has helped lead the GPAC onto the NAIA scene with active roles in various NAIA committees. He is the past chair of both the NAIA National Administrative Council (NAC) and the NAIA Council of Conferences and Independents (CACI). He has also been an officer on the board of the NAIA Sports Information Directors Association (NAIA-SIDA). Currently he is a member of the NAIA National Administrative Council (NAC) and Chair of the NAIA Conference Commissioners Association (CCA). He also is a member of the NAIA Constitution and By-Laws Committee and served as parliamentarian for the 2018 NAIA National Convention.

Westra and his wife Anne live in Sioux City, Iowa, and are the proud parents of three children (Aiden, Meredith, and Mallory). They are active members in their church and community with coaching youth sports and serving on Children’s Museum Board of Directors among other activities.

THE LINE-UP

Welcome

Corey Westra, Commissioner

Great Plains Athletic Conference

Hunter Zarybnicky, Actuarial Associate, Special Risk Product Performance, Mutual of Omaha

Invocation

Ashlee Bachman, Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho)

A.O. Duer Scholarship Award Winners

Ady Dwight, Dakota Wesleyan University (S.D.)

Peter Shippy, Dordt University (Iowa)

Emil S. Liston Award Winners

Melissa Akullu, Vanguard University (Calif.)

Ezra McKenna, University of Mobile (Ala.)

Dr. Leroy Walker Champions of Character Award Winner

Faith Hunt, Vanguard University (Calif.)

Coach of Character Award Winner

Jessica Pistole, Southern Oregon University

Athletic Trainer of the Year

Lauren Burish, Indiana University South Bend

Sports Information Director of the Year

Alisha Alexander, Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho)

THE LINE-UP CONTINUED

Wally Schwartz Award

Bryce Bernard, Corban University (Ore.)

Charles Morris Award Winner

Brittney Kellar, Ottawa University (Ariz.)

NAIA-ADA Athletics Director of the Year

Troy Plummer, Grand View University (Iowa)

Hall of Fame – Meritorious Service

Jim Abbott, Oklahoma City University

Col. John Sullivan, Appalachian Athletic Conference

Lori Thomas, Heart of America Athletic Conference

Benediction

Jake Francksen-Small, Northwestern College (Iowa)

Closing Remarks

Corey Westra

A.O. DUER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNER

ADY DWIGHT

Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)

Ady Dwight of Dakota Wesleyan University is the 2023 A.O. Duer Award winner. From Langford, South Dakota, Ady is a middle blocker for DWU’s women’s volleyball program and a nursing major.

Ady’s athletic accomplishments include: two-time Academic All-American, three-time NAIA All-American (two-time First Team), three-time All-GPAC First Team honoree, American Volleyball Coaches Association West Central Attacker of the Year, No. 3 nationally in 2022 for total kills and No. 2 in the nation in 2022 in kills per set.

Ady shows compassion to her peers, patients, family members and clinical staff as she prepares for a career in nursing. Ady volunteers in numerous community service projects, including working countless youth volleyball camps as a counselor, the Glass Slipper organization, Angel Tree organization, Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce, South Dakota Special Olympics, and South Dakota REHPS rural healthcare initiative. In an exceptional example of servant leadership, Ady works for a memory care unit at Edgewood Healthcare in Mitchell, South Dakota. Anyone who has ever had a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s and memory loss certainly understands the type of caring and compassionate person it takes to work in that setting.

A.O. DUER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNER

PETER SHIPPY

Dordt University (Neb.)

Peter Shippy of Dordt University is the 2023 A.O. Duer Award winner. A Men’s Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, and Outdoor Track and Field student-athlete from Sioux Center, Iowa, Peter holds a GPA of 3.992 as a Computer Science major and Entrepreneurship minor.

Peter’s contributions played a key role in the tremendous success the Men’s Cross Country and Track teams have enjoyed. One of Peter’s strongest characteristics is perseverance, and he has never wavered from working at being a better runner. Peter has become one of the strongest distance running performers in the Dordt program. This year, he achieved the rare feat of being an All-American in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, and Outdoor Track and Field.

Peter Shippy exemplifies the attributes of “scholarship, character, and citizenship” that the A.O. Duer scholarship seeks to recognize. He is an excellent student and approaches his studies in the same focused manner that he does athletics. He leads in a quiet yet effective way. He has been instrumental in the development of a gaming program at Dordt. He currently has a leadership role in the Dordt Gaming Guild. Peter’s unassuming and consistent approach to life results in respect from teammates and classmates. His character is of the highest level.

EMIL S. LISTON AWARD WINNER

MELISSA AKULLU

Vanguard University (Calif.)

Melissa Akullu from Vanguard University is the 2023 Female Liston Award winner. A junior from Kampala, Uganda, Melissa holds a 3.77 GPA majoring in Communications.

Melissa Akullu is a recognized student leader and contributor to campus life. An NAIA First Team All-American for women’s basketball, Akullu leads the Golden State Athletics Conference (GSAC) in both boards and field goal percentage. She has earned NAIA National Player of the Week, GSAC Player of the Week four times, as well as GSAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

Beyond her athletic prowess, Akullu has excelled in the classroom and is a vibrant presence in campus life. As a Communication major, she holds a 3.77 accumulative GPA and has been named NAIA and GSAC Scholar-Athlete for the second time in her career. She serves as a student worker in the Facilities Department, interacting regularly with administration, faculty, and staff. She has been a featured speaker for booster and donor events, representing the best Vanguard University has to offer. She is beloved and respected by employees and her fellow students, and is recognized as a leader and positive influence throughout the university.

Melissa Akullu not only represents the best of Vanguard Athletics and Vanguard University—she will represent her native Uganda this summer at the African Games, organized by the African Union with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

EMIL S. LISTON AWARD WINNER

EZRA MCKENNA

University of Mobile (Ala.)

Ezra McKenna from the University of Mobile is the 2023 Male Liston Award winner. A junior from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Ezra holds a 3.81 GPA and majors in Business Administration and Finance.

Ezra’s academic accomplishments and drive in the classroom are exemplary. With a grade point average of 3.8, he consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of accounting and business concepts and an exceptional ability to apply them to real-world problems. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Ezra was named to the University of Mobile Dean’s list for fall semester 2022 and the President’s list for the 2023 spring semester. This only confirms his commitment to excellence and work ethic in the classroom.

In addition to his academic achievements, Ezra’s athletic performance on the basketball court is truly exceptional. His recognition as the three-time Southern States Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player-of-the-Week, as well as his selection to the 2022-23 Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) First Team All-Conference and the 2022-23 NAIA Men’s Basketball All-American Team as an Honorable Mention, are a testament to his exceptional skills, dedication, and impact on the team’s success.

Beyond his academic and athletic achievements, Ezra embodies exemplary character, citizenship, and leadership qualities. His commitment to community service and engagement showcases his selflessness, compassion, and desire to make a positive impact in society. His dedication to serving others, both on and off the court, exemplifies his outstanding character and commitment to being a responsible and engaged citizen.

DR. LEROY WALKER CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER® AWARD WINNER

FAITH HUNT

Vanguard University (Calif.)

Vanguard University student-athlete Faith Hunt has been named the 2022-23 Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award Winner.

Hunt, a dual-sport athlete competing in both soccer and track and field, is a kinesiology major sporting a 3.98 GPA. Hunt shares her voice on campus as a captain of the soccer team, president of the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) and a representative to the conference’s Student-Athlete Advisory Team.

Hunt exhibits the NAIA core character values through her community service and campus contributions. She volunteered for over 150 hours through the National Charity League and has helped feed the elderly through Meals on Wheels. Hunt finds additional ways to support her community like serving with a local church as a worship leader, and volunteering in Vanguard’s athletic training room as she pursues her career goal of becoming an athletic trainer.

In track and field, Hunt earned 2022 and 2023 NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades, and back-to-back Golden State Athletic Conference ScholarAthlete recognition in 2022 and 2023. Faith also earned Vanguard’s Track & Field Champion of Character award for 2023, and the Golden State Athletic Conference “Cliff Hamlow” Champion of Character award for 2023.

COACH OF CHARACTER AWARD WINNER

JESSICA PISTOLE

Southern Oregon University

Jessica Pistole, head softball coach at Southern Oregon University (SOU), has been selected as this year’s NAIA Coach of Character.

Coach Pistole has been SOU’s head coach for eight years, building one of the best softball teams in the country during that time with seven World Series appearances and three national championships.

Remarkably, Pistole coached success on the field as well as off the field, boasting achievements like a team 3.5 GPA and over 250 community service hours annually through campus and community outreach opportunities.

While being a fierce competitor, Coach Pistole leads by example in displaying an unwavering commitment to compassion and respect. Her interactions with officials epitomize sportsmanship and serve as a model for all coaches. Even in the heat of championship play, Coach Pistole’s team showed up to support their Cascade conference rivals, went out of their way to thank event staff for their efforts, helped the grounds crew pull the tarp during a rain-out, and welcomed young girls into the dugout to sign balls during the championship game.

Coach Pistole’s impact extends beyond her softball expertise. She fosters character development through challenges like the “Ruck” (a 15-mile overnight hike to the top of Mt. Ashland to demonstrate teamwork and overcoming self-doubt) and allowing teammates to award “Hawks” logos to one another in situations when character values are exemplified. Pistole also serves as the advisor for SOU’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes club.

ATHLETICS TRAINER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER

LAUREN BURSH

Indiana University-South Bend

Lauren Burish, assistant athletic trainer at Indiana University-South Bend, has been selected as this year’s NAIA Athletic Trainer of the Year.

Burish is known for her aptitude for research, enabling her to lead several task forces for the Beacon Health System. She was the “go-to person” for IU-South Bend during the pandemic, including service on the university’s Restart Athletics Committee. She is a key contributor for the NAIA ATA Research & Education Committee, and the university’s Emergency Planning Committee. The NAIA National Administrative Council has enacted several healthcare-related policies that directly relied on Burish’s research. Burish also serves on the Indiana Athletic Trainers Association’s scholarship committee, creating opportunities to grow the profession.

In her “free time,” Burish is always willing to guest lecture in the College of Health Sciences. Burish was also solely responsible for developing an IU-South Bend Athletic Training Therapy Dog Program, putting in countless hours drafting policy and getting approvals, and undergoing training to become a handler. The program allows student-athletes to spend time with Tucker, a service dog, during treatments or injury and provides comfort during these difficult times. Burish is known for her compassion, dedicated work ethic, and team player mentality. At IU-South Bend, student-athletes and coaches alike respect and trust her as she has proven to be a top-notch athletic trainer and even better human being.

In recognition of her talent and achievements, Burish was awarded the prestigious NATA ICSM Staff Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2021, an award given to one athletic trainer each year across all of college athletics.

SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER

ALISHA ALEXANDER

LEWIS-CLARK STATE (IDAHO)

The 2023 recipient of the NAIA Sports Information Director of the Year is Alisha Alexander of Lewis-Clark State (Idaho).

A graduate of Concordia University in Irvine, Calif., Alexander has quickly risen to the top in her profession. Since her arrival at LC State, Alexander has been no stranger to the big stage, as she has hosted several conference championships, NAIA National Championship Opening Round and First & Second Round tournaments, along with her role in both the planning and execution of the Avista NAIA World Series for the past five years.

In addition to her role in the production of the LC Awards Program (the LCSPY’s), she takes a large planning role in all fundraising efforts for Warrior Athletics. In 2022, Alexander was elected to the NAIA-SIDA Executive Board, where she has taken a large role in Continuing Education Programming. Her work has also led her to be named to the inaugural class of the College Sports Communicators’ 30 Under 30 Honors.

WALLY SCHWARTZ FAR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER

DR. BRYCE BERNARD CORBAN UNIVERSITY (ORE.)

Dr. Bryce Bernard of Corban University is the 2023 winner of the Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year. Dr. Bernard continues to put forth dedicated service and guidance on the many committees he serves both on campus and at the national NAIA level. Dr. Bernard is concluding his 10th year on the National Eligibility Committee where he has served as chair for the committee since 2021. In addition to his leadership with the NEC, Dr. Bernard has served on four other national task forces and committees, as well as served the Cascade Conference as conference FAR and on the eligibility committee.

Many who work with Dr. Bernard espouse his dedication to the NAIA, both on the campus level and nationally. Dr. Bernard aims to help all NAIA students develop as champions of character and has been a visionary in reviewing bylaws that can be amended to support current and future NAIA student-athletes.

Bryce’s colleagues say he has a gift for always answering questions with incredible grace and kindness and is always willing to help.

CHARLES MORRIS AWARD WINNER

BRITTNEY KELLAR

Southeastern University (Fla.)

Brittney Kellar has been selected as the NAIA Charles Morris Administrator of the Year for 2022-23 for her leadership, commitment and passion for intercollegiate athletics and the studentathletes she serves. This honor, which was created in memory of the former NAIA Associate Executive Director Charles Morris, recognizes an NAIA member who has made significant contributions as an administrator of intercollegiate athletics, while also exemplifying the loyalty and enthusiasm that Morris had for the association.

As the assistant athletic director at Ottawa University-Arizonza for six years, Kellar not only helped build the entire athletics department from scratch but also showcased an extraordinary aptitude for managing diverse responsibilities. Kellar’s responsibilities included sport oversight, budget oversight, ongoing business operations, event promotions, ticket sales, primary event management duties, fundraising, collaboration with the city and local school district, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and senior woman leader. As campus president Dr. Dennis Tyner put it, “Since she is so well-respected throughout our entire institution, Brittney is often one of the first people from campus to be selected by our university chancellor whenever he creates a university-wide committee to review an institutional problem.”

In recognition of these contributions, Kellar was named the Golden State Athletic Conference Administrator of the Year in both 2021 and 2023. Kellar is now at Southeastern University as the Associate Director of Athletics.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER

TROY PLUMMER

Grand View University (Iowa)

Grand View University’s Troy Plummer has been selected as the NAIA Athletics Director of the Year for 2022-23 for his leadership of the institution’s athletics department and achievements at a national level.

Plummer serves as the Vice President for Athletics and is a member of the university’s Strategic Leadership Team, providing leadership to 760 student-athletes in 26 sports for Grand View.

Under Plummer’s leadership, the Vikings enjoyed enormous success in the 2022-23 academic year, finishing 11th in the Learfield Directors’ Cup and winning the Heart of America Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Cup for the third consecutive year. This year the Vikings men’s wrestling team was crowned national champions, boasting three individual national champions, and securing their 11th team national championship in 12 years. A stunning 50 Viking athletes earned the honor of being named All-Americans this year. In 2022-23, the Vikings had 24 NAIA Scholar Teams and 180 individual NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes.

In addition to his leadership on campus, Plummer serves on the Board of Governors for the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Nationally, he is a member of the NAIA Athletic Directors Association, the NAIA National Administrative Council and Championship Subcommittee, is the NAIA liaison for Men’s Volleyball and is on the oversight committee for the NAIA Men’s Volleyball ratings.

HALL OF FAME MERITORIOUS SERVICE

JIM ABBOTT

Oklahoma City University

Jim Abbott retired at the end of 2021 after a 19-year career as athletic director at Oklahoma City University. Under his guidance, OCU completed more than $17 million in athletic facility construction and renovation projects, including the Ann Lacy Softball Stadium, the Devon Boathouse, the Knight Strength and Conditioning Facility and the Jim Wade Athletic Office Suite. His tenure also saw new facilities and renovations for OCU baseball, soccer and wrestling.

The OCU athletic department experienced major growth during his tenure through the implementation of several new sports on campus. OCU added men’s and women’s cross country and track & field, volleyball, men’s and women’s rowing, men’s and women’s wrestling, competitive cheerleading, competitive pom/dance and STUNT under Abbott’s guidance.

Student-athletes thrived academically during Abbott’s tenure with an annual cumulative grade point average above a 3.0 each year. He created the first chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, a national student-athlete honor society, in the state of Oklahoma to recognize the academic achievements of OCU student-athletes.

Athletically, Oklahoma City won an astonishing 48 of their total 72 national championships under Abbott’s leadership. OCU captured three Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup titles, and the department placed in the top 15 of the Director’s Cup rankings in all of Abbott’s 19 years as AD.

Abbott was named the 2008-09 and 2016-17 NAIA National Athletic Director of the Year. He was also recognized as the 2010, 2015 and 2018 Under Armour Central Region Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the Sooner Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year on six occasions. Abbott gained induction into the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017-18, and was inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame in June 2023.

Abbott is, or has been, a member of the NACDA Executive Council, NAIA Membership Committee, Jim Thorpe Association Executive Council, chairman of the NAIA Hall of Fame selection committee, treasurer of the Greater Oklahoma City Sports Consortium, NAIA Athletic Director’s Association Board of Directors and staff sponsor for the OCU Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle. He also previously served as president of the NAIA Athletic Directors Association, vice chair of the NAIA Hall of Fame selection committee and as a member of the NAIA National Administrative Council.

HALL OF FAME MERITORIOUS SERVICE

COL. JOHN SULLIVAN

Appalachian Athletic Conference

Over the past 25 years, Col. John Sullivan has faithfully devoted extensive service and time to collegiate athletics. Serving in numerous roles within the NAIA, including Chair of the National Administrative Council, President of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), and eventually becoming the first-ever commissioner of the AAC, Sullivan has always been a fierce advocate of the NAIA’s dedication to character-driven intercollegiate athletics.

In his various roles, Sullivan has helped to strengthen NAIA membership through legislation and recruitment. As the president and eventual commissioner of the AAC, John oversaw expedited membership growth, leading to the ACC becoming one of the largest conferences within the NAIA. Sullivan has collected many accolades during his expansive career with the NAIA, including:

• NAIA Region XII AD of the Year (1999, 2003)

• AIA Charles Morris Administrator of the Year (2010-11)

• National Administrative Council: Chair of NAC, Chair of Experience and Enhancement Sub-Committee

• Conference Administration Committee

• Marketing Committee

• Letter of Intent Taskforce

• National Coordinating Committee

Prior to entering academia, Sullivan served with the U.S. Marine Corps for 28 years as a fighter pilot, squadron commander, senior staff officer, base commander, and professor, before retiring as a colonel.

HALL OF FAME MERITORIOUS SERVICE

LORI THOMAS

Heart of America Athletic Conference

Lori Thomas started with the NAIA in 1998 as a Marketing Assistant and was quickly promoted through the ranks to her final position as Senior Vice President for Membership and Character Initiatives. Her responsibilities included leading efforts for membership recruitment and retention, achieving greater efficiencies and consistency in the delivery of the Champions of Character program, and advancing student-athlete experiences within national championships.

In addition, Thomas served as a senior executive while overseeing human resources for the national office staff. She supervised the NAIA championships department, which was responsible for 23 national championship events, emerging sports, site selection, host contracts, championship merchandising and apparel, coaches associations, councils, and committees. Thomas served as the national office liaison to the NAIA-National Administrative Council through 2011 and was a liaison to three NAIA conferences.

Prior to joining the NAIA, Thomas served as an assistant volleyball coach at Missouri State (1993-1996) and the University of Tulsa (1996-1998). Lori just completed her 9th season as the Heart of America Athletic Conference commissioner, a role she began in July 2014.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Thomas began her post-secondary education at Johnson County Community College. While at JCCC, she played volleyball

and basketball and was recognized as a Junior College All-American in volleyball in 1988. She then went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Business Management – emphasis in Human Resources from Idaho State University in 1992. She played volleyball for the Bengals for two years and ended her student-athlete experience with basketball in her 5th year.

In 2003, Thomas was inducted into both the National Junior College Athletics Association Hall of Fame and Johnson County Community College Hall of Fame for the sport of volleyball. She was inducted into Idaho State University’s Hall of Fame the next year for volleyball and basketball. In 2015, Thomas was selected as the Women Leaders in College Sports “Administrator of the Year.” Thomas served on the NAIA National Administrative Council Executive Committee, the Olathe Chamber Board of Directors, and the CVB Advisory Board. She also is on the Board of Directors for the United States –International University Sports Federation since 2004 and is currently Vice President. Lori has attended the World University Games on five occasions, most recently in Naples, Italy for the 2019 World University Games as a USA staff member.