MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern States Athletic Conference announced the 2024-25 year-end award winners Sunday evening. 
 
Barnes & Noble College Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Manuel Flores, Men's Soccer, UT Southern
 
Flores posted a 3.95 GPA as a senior exercise science major. Posting 18 goals and 6 assists on the season, he earned First-Team All-Conference and Third-Team NAIA All-American honors.
 
Coach Bret Boylan said: "It's a gift to get to coach a kid that not only excels on the field, but in the classroom as well these days considering the workload student athletes are given. Manuel is one of the most talented players I ever got to coach and know he will be successful in whatever he chooses to pursue in the future."
 
Barnes & Noble College Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Chloe Davidson, Softball, Faulkner University 
 
Davidson produced a 3.96 GPA as a senior health sciences major. The infielder was named SSAC Player of the Year after batting .480 with 7 1hits, 51 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. 
 
Coach Hal Wynn said: "Chloe is the epitome of a student athlete. She has always put in the same effort in the classroom as she does on the field. I am very proud of her accomplishments and this special honor of the Barnes and Nobles Scholar Athlete of the Year."
 
Neptune GameTime Sports Information Director of the Year: Zach O'Kelley, UT Southern
 
Brandie Paul, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics said: "Zach is an integral piece of the success of our athletic department.  From game day statistics to announcing to web site management Zach gets it done.  This past summer Zach worked with SIDEARM Sports to create our newly branded athletic website.  Countless hours were put in to making our website top notch. His passion is the statistical side of sports information and that has been a highlight in our website and the accolades our athletes have been able to obtain through his diligent efforts to get stats updated and published effectively and efficiently. We are very appreciative of the work Zach puts in each and every day to highlight our student athletes here at UT Southern."
 
Finishing up his fourth year at the school, this year's winner serves as the primary media contact for all 19 athletic programs. He handles statistics, social media, gameday management and more.

O'Kelley commented, "I am truely honored and humbled to be this year's recipient. I am priviliged to work with a top notch group of coaches and administration day in and day out. It's easy to exceed the expectation when you are lucky to cover exceptional student-athletes."
 
Newk's Eatery Athletic Director of the Year: Chris Dooley, Brewton-Parker College 
 
Madison Herrin, Softball Coach said: "Chris has changed our athletic department over his time here. He supports all programs and wants the coaches to perform at their best. Student athletes know he cares and supports them. He is always fair in his decisions and stands behind his coaches. Chris cares about us personally and professionally! We are blessed to have him lead our athletic department."
 
Obed Quiles, Volleyball Coach said: "Chris a great boss. He wears tons of hats on campus. He sets the tone across the board based on his work ethic. He is never not working. He encourages, supports, and believes in you and wants you to succeed. He always finds a way to attend our home games and support us."
 
Wrapping up his 11th year at the school, he has increased sport sponsorship and overseen projects like a baseball/softball hitting facility, new track, soccer press box and more.
 
Athletic Trainer of the Year: Reynolds Hall, Brewton-Parker College
 
Chris Dooley, Vice President of Athletics said: "I couldn't ask for a better Athletic Trainer than Reynolds.   He is committed to the health and rehab of our student athletes and he is their biggest cheerleader on and off that athletic fields.   He works tirelessly with them to prevent injury and on the occasions where they are injured he works very hard to rehab them in order to get them back to competition as quickly as possible.   Additionally, Reynolds works very hard developing the relationships needed with not only our athletes, but also our coaching staff and because of those relationships, he is very well respected by our coaches and our athletes."
 
Steve Edwards, Head Women's Basketball Coach said: "It's a pleasure to work alongside Reynolds. He brings good energy every day and he loves his job. Our athletes look forward to seeing him. He values each student athlete and he's engaged with each sport. I can remember him getting a warning at the conference tournament because of his cheering. Reynolds is much more than a trainer. He's our guy and we're blessed to have him with us at Brewton-Parker.
 
Coach of Character: Alex Ireland, Dalton State College
 
Sean Cranney, former player said: "Alex lent my roommate a suit for his friend's wedding when he had nothing to wear and shopping for a suit at 6'8 can be quite difficult. Alex was instrumental in the fundraising efforts and support of a team members family impacted by a tornado. Alex brought a few players to the hospital when one of our biggest fans was sick because he knew the impact it could have on him. The list could go on. Alex has supported his players at their highs and lows, during AND after their tenure in his program."
 
Ben Rickett, Interim Director of Athletics said: "Coach Ireland has been instrumental in elevating the Dalton State basketball program, guiding his teams to competitive success while never losing sight of the values that matter most—discipline, accountability, and personal growth. His ability to connect with players, build cohesive teams, and create a culture of excellence both on and off the court is truly exceptional."
 
Risk Strategies Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year: Royan Walters, William Carey University 
 
While competing during March 2024, Royan suffered an ankle dislocation. He started rehab at home over the summer and then started aggressive rehab back at William Carey in August. Following surgery in late November, Royan worked to get himself ready for the Outdoor Track & Field season. He placed second at the SSAC Championship in the long jump and went on to earn NAIA All-American honors with a third-place finish at the National Championship.
 
Dr. Ronald Melton Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year: Jack Moser, Blue Mountain Christian University
 
Brett Fowler, Assistant AD said: "Jack is an invaluable resource for Blue Mountain Christian student-athletes and
coaches, as well as others around the Southern States Athletic Conference, working tirelessly behind the scenes to promote athletics. He makes himself available at any hour to not just coaches and student-athletes, but to anyone involved with Blue Mountain Christian University. Throughout his tenure at BMCU, he has built lasting relationships that have carried on for many years."
 
Moser has served as FAR for two years and been a part of Blue Mountain Christian for over 36 years.
 
Woman of the Year: Taylor Hassell, Point University
 
Jaunelle White, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics said: "Taylor exudes all the qualities of a servant leader. She leads by example, placing the needs of student-athletes and colleagues above her own, and consistently prioritizes mentorship, integrity and community. Her work ethic, compassion, and vision have transformed our campus culture, fostering an environment where both personal and athletic growth are nurtured."
 
MJ Rodriguez said: "As a mentor, Taylor has changed the trajectory of my life. She believed in me before I fully believed in myself, and her guidance has helped shape my goals and character. She challenges me to dream bigger, think deeper, and lead authentically. Through her wisdom, humility, and unshakable faith, she has modeled what it means to live a life of purpose."
 
Hassell started at Point in 2019 and currently serves as the Senior Woman Leader and Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Student Life. She oversees various sports within the athletic department and student development initiatives.
 
Mayor Todd Strange Male Champions of Character Team Award: William Carey University Men's Soccer
 
The Crusaders won the 2024 Nels Dahlquist Memorial Sportsmanship Award at the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. The team took part in several volunteer roles this year, including reading to a third-grade class at Bellevue Elementary and talking to the students about different cultures and backgrounds. The team also led the Kansas Special Olympics Day during the NAIA National Tournament and volunteered at the SSAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
 
Mayor Todd Strange Female Champions of Character Team Award: University of Mobile Volleyball
 
The student-athletes on the University of Mobile volleyball team serve at the school and in the surrounding areas. One example of this is Aspen Adams serving as an ambassador for the school, which involves assisting at most of the school's high-profile community events. Seventeen of the 27 players on the team made the SSAC All-Academic Team.
 
Men's Sportsmanship Award: Blue Mountain Christian University
 
Women's Sportsmanship Award: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College