The Missouri Western State University Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the St. Joseph News-Press, celebrated the success of its student-athletes both on and off of the field as part of the 14th Annual Missouri Western State University/St. Joseph News-Press Student-Athlete Honors Banquet on Monday, April 29th in the Fulkerson Center on the MWSU campus. Griffon football player Michael Hill was named Male Athlete of the Year while women’s golfer Natalie Bird was named Female Student Athlete of the Year.

Griffon Athletics honored 11 student-athletes as their respective sports’ “Student-Athlete of the Year” along with numerous team and individual achievements which have taken place over the past calendar year.

Also as part of the evening, Griffon Athletics recognized recently retired Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Smith and Head Athletic Trainer Myron Unzicker who will retire at the end of the season as Silver Anniversary Award Winners.  Recipients of the award display the characteristics of Integrity, Dedication, Leadership, a Commitment to Excellence and an obligation to serve as a concerned partner in their community throughout the past 25 years.

Current Griffon student-athletes who have been chosen as their respective sports’ Student-Athlete of the Year include; Cedric Clinkscales (Men’s Basketball), Jacob Cunning (Cheer Squad), Michael Hill (Football), James O’Brien (Men’s Golf), Brandon Simmons (Baseball), Alicia Bell (Women’s Basketball), Natalie Bird (Women’s Golf), Ceara Boldridge (Women’s Tennis), Ashlyn Castillo (Women’s Soccer), Stephanie Hattey (Volleyball) and Keri Lorbert (Softball).

MWSU also recognized softball player Maegan Roemmich as the top graduating senior student-athlete based on highest cumulative GPA with the James J. McMillen Award and women’s golfer Natalie Bird as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s Volunteer of the Year which recognizes a student-athlete that has contributed outstanding service in the local community.

— MWSU Sports Information —