ST. JOSEPH – More than 20 awards were handed out and hundreds recognized as part of the 16th Annual St. Joseph News-Press Student-Athlete Honors Banquet Monday night at Missouri Western.
In an evening designed to honor excellence both past and present, Scott Groner (Griffon Football) and Erica Rottinghaus (Griffon Volleyball) took home the male and female student-athlete of the year honors for their outstanding performance on the field, hard work in the classroom and exceptional representation of Missouri Western State University.
Rottinghaus started every game of her two year career and was a two time First Team All-MIAA selection, being the first volleyball student-athlete since 2002 to achieve that honor. This season she was named an Honorable Mention All-American for her play on the court and a First Team All-American for performance on the court and in the classroom.
Groner was a four-year starter at the punter position and this season was named First Team All-MIAA for the second consecutive year and was an Honorable Mention All-American. He led the MIAA with an average of 42 yards per kick, including 15 punts over 50 yards. Academically, Scott graduated last December with his degree in Health & Exercise and as he began his career as a baseball player at MWSU and was a member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll six times.
Rottinghaus and Groner were joined by Tiffany Gillaspy (Griffon Softball) as recipients of the Tom Smith Career Achievement Award, an award given to Griffon student-athletes whom exhibit excellence over an extended period of time and display extraordinary accomplishments.
The two were among 11 nominees for the award, one from each Griffon sport and one from the cheer squad. The student-athlete of the year from each sport were: Cheer Sqaud-Shae Fannon; Women’s Soccer-K.C. Ramsell; Women’s Tennis-Ceara Boldridge; Men’s Golf-Scott Sheldon; Women’s Golf-Callie Wilson; Football-Scott Groner; Volleyball-Erica Rottinghaus; Women’s Basketball-Alex Saxen; Men’s Basketball-Cortrez Colbert; Softball-Tiffany Gillaspy; Baseball-Ryan Degner.
Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame member Scott Graham received the Award of Valor. The award is presented to a student-athlete, coach or contributor to Griffon Athletics for having the strength of mind and spirit that enables a person to encounter life’s challenges with resolve and courage. Graham has served the institution in many capacities since graduation, including serving as the current Chairman of the Griffon Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and is a member of the Gold Coat Club Board of Directors. He often drives from his Kansas City area home to campus to attend meetings, functions, take part in events and attends games frequently, all while working tirelessly in his successful business career.
For more than a year, Scott has been battling cancer and while he has been undergoing numerous treatments locally and at the Mayo Clinic, he has continued to fulfill his roles and provide leadership to the University in a first class manner in which he would never let you know the challenges he faces on a daily basis. Through this difficult time he is still in the stands at many Griffon games home and away and exemplifies the true meaning of a Griffon and is definitely “Griffon Tough”.
Dr. Brenda Blessing and Gaylan Wood were awarded Silver Anniversary awards as individuals who have served the University with characteristics of integrity, dedication and leadership, with a commitment to excellence. Dr. Blessing will officially retire in August after serving as a faculty member in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department form more than 30 years. Dr. Blessing has also served the athletic department as NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative for many years. Wood is a longtime bus driver, safely transporting countless Griffon student-athletes, coaches and staff to various events. Wood will also be retiring later this year.
Many other awards and recognition were handed out, including the James J. McMillen Scholar-Athlete Award. The award was established in 1995 to recognize the top graduating senior student-athlete based on cumulative grade point average. This year’s recipient was Griffon Soccer’s A.J. Powers. Alex Saxen (Griffon Women’s Basketball) was awarded the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s Community Service Volunteer of the Year award.
Eight Griffon student-athletes were also recognized for their achievement as All-Americans in 2014 and 2015 seasons. Those recognized as All-Americans: Scott Groner (Football-Don Hansen Honorable Mention; John Schmiemeier (Football-Don Hansen Honorable Mention); Michael Jordan (Football-First Team American Football Coaches Association and D2Football.com, Third Team Little All-American, Don Hansen Honorable Mention); Tiffany Gillaspy (Softball-Third Team National Fastpitch Coaches Association); Ryan Degner (Baseball-Third Team Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association); Erica Rottinghaus (Volleyball-First Team CoSIDA/Capital One Academic, Honorable Mention American Volleyball Coaches Association); Sarah Faubel (Volleyball-First Team CoSIDA/Capital One Academic).
Griffon Athletics thanks all involved in making the banquet possible, including title sponsors the St. Joseph News-Press.
— MWSU Sports Information —