WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. –The Winston-Salem State University athletic department hosted its athletic banquet on Sunday evening inside McNeil Banquet Hall.

The night began with guests taking photos at the 360 booths from the Love360xperience.

Interim Chancellor Anthony Graham and Director of Athletics, Etienne Thomas, opened the night with greetings and congratulated RJ Mobley on being signed to the Chicago Bears minicamp.

Then Richard Daniels from the YMCA presented an award to Sonya Hurt and Dr. Cynthia Williams-Brown called the "Strong Award" for all their help with having teams participate in community service. Mr. Daniels also invited every team to the front and thanked them for volunteering in the various events throughout the year.

After that, the athletic department honored the 2024 graduates with their stoles and presented the student-athletes with GPA's of 3.0 or higher with academic medals.

Other big awards included the Chancellor's Award, awarded to a returning student-athlete who has been a sports program member for one complete academic year. This year's recipient was Junior, Brooke Higgins, a tennis student-athlete from Charlotte, North Carolina majoring in Computer Science.

The Athletic's Director Cup is presented to the team with the highest GPA in the fall semester of the academic year. The softball team received this honor.

Kerry Harbor, head strength and conditioning coach received the Weston Spirit Award, named after Claudette Weston, long-time friend, and supporter of WSSU Athletics, this award is given to an athletic department staff member with untiring team spirit.

The Ultimate Ram award is for a non-athletic staff member that supports the department and student-athletes beyond the call of duty. This year's recipient was Ron Beverly. The 6^th Man Award went to the Red Sea of Sound. The Female Athletes of the year were Brianna Benloss and Amaya Tucker, and the Male Athlete of the Year was Jaylen Alston. The C.E. Gaines Coach of the Year award went to Nesheila Washington.

The team awards recipients went to:

Student-Athletic Training Staff:
Most Improved Award to: Krystal Bethae
Rookie of the Year: Sierra Agnew
MVP: Jadyn Myrick

Student Managers/ Assistants
Rookie of the Year: Trinty Tyler and A'kiria Kay
Topflight Award: Kristashia Jones
MVP: Miji Graves and Tamiya Oates
Operations MVP: Sequioa Lindsey

Media Relations Interns
Most Improved: Kayla Walker
MVP: Natasha McNeil
Mamba Mentality: Mason Moses

Tennis
Community and Campus Engagement: Dezirae Black-Macon
Most Improved: Brooke Higgins
MVP: Semmie Moore

Volleyball
Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year: Raven Gray
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year: Kalyn Cuthbertson
MVP: Rheign Davis

Golf
Bounce Back Player of the Year: Cameron Witherspoon
Coaches Award: Tyler Thomas

Track & Field
Rookie of the Year: Hayleigh Bryant
Amon Hustle Award: Charnessa Reid
Track Athlete of the Year: Brianna Benloss
Field Athlete of the Year: Destiny Griffin
Most Valuable Athlete: Layla Simpson

Women's Cross Country
Rookie of the Year: Briyana Tillman
Most Improved: Jaiyah Nelson
Most Valuable Runner: Elicia Bryant

Men's Cross Country
Rookie of the Year: Henry Weah
Amon Hustle Award: Jaidon Izard
Most Valuable Runner: Cecil Hairston

White Team Cheerleaders
White Heart Award: Chauntane; Dickenson
Rookie of the Year: Jakiyza Franks
Most Outstanding: Angel Pritchett

Red Team Cheerleaders
Rookie of the Year: She'Kinah Daniels
Red Heart Award: Darius Stevens

Softball
Most Improved: Jyla Thomas
Most Outstanding Offense: Malia Simmons
MVP: Taisha Bratton

Women's Basketball
Energizer Award: Starasia Bell-Freeman
Newcomer of the Year: La'Niya Simes
Most Valuable Player: Amaya Tucker

Men's Basketball
Most Improved: Ketron Shaw
Justin Ross Award (Best Teammate): Jeremy Dixon
Most Valuable: Jaylen Alston

Football
Rookie of the Year: Jayshawn Middleton
Most Improved: Camar Kyle
MVP: Daylin Lee

For additional information, regarding the Rams sports programs visit the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com.

About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU's curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region, and beyond. Guided by the motto, "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve," WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment. For more information, visit www.wssu.edu.