The Eagle Award 

The 2021 Eagle Award recipient, Justin Spoon, has uniquely embodied the character, faith, dedication and resolve of the most exemplary Asbury Eagle. The most accomplished athlete in the history of the men's AU cross country program, Spoon began his senior season by winning three races and being named River States Conference (RSC) Runner of the Week on three occasions. Just days before the RSC Championship meet, his season abruptly ended due to serious medical issues. Spoon has demonstrated personal courage and resiliency while enduring difficult medical treatments in the following months. It was no surprise to his teammates or his Asbury family that this exceptional student-athlete and team captain was able to return to campus last month to receive his degree in psychology at AU’s commencement ceremony. 

Rita Pritchett Award for Academic Excellence- Awarded to the graduating male & female with the highest cumulative GPA. 

Male recipient- Ben Okenge (Men’s Basketball) 

Female recipient- Autumn Herriford (Women’s Basketball) 

Scholar Team of the Year- Awarded to the men’s & women’s team with the highest GPA for the academic year.

Male recipient- Cross Country 

Female recipient- Women’s Tennis 

Molly Harlin Servant Leader Award- Award given in memory of Molly Harlin that exemplifies servant leadership. This can be given to any student-athlete or manager.

Award winner: Kayla Burns (Women’s Basketball Manager) - Kayla Burns exemplifies everything a person would be looking for in the Molly Harlin Servant Leader Award. Kayla has served the Asbury University women’s basketball program for the last two seasons with an amazing effort. She helps set our away schedule for meals, works our practices and home games, but where she excels the most is her willingness to serve the ladies of the team spiritually. Kayla has set up, and led, the weekly Bible “Team Time” studies, which have proved to be invaluable for this team. Many lives have been impacted and changed because of this “Team Time” study.

Eric Liddell Award- Given annually to an Asbury University Intercollegiate Athletic that exemplifies the servant leadership and Christian character modeled by former Olympic Champion and world-renowned missionary Eric Liddell. The recipient must be a member of one of AU's Intercollegiate athletic teams and be in good academic standing.

Award winner: Brandon Pruitt (Baseball) 

• Major: Biochemistry
• Cumulative GPA: 3.92
• Christian Leadership:  
• Middle school ministry at southland Christian church serving as a middle school small group leader. 
• Chaplain for the sigma zeta club, a national math and science club with a chapter on campus. 
• Attended a Bible study with a faculty member that led to the growth of including 3 new baseball members. 

The Stuart Smith Award - The Stuart Smith Award is given to the student-athlete who best demonstrates hard work and Christian leadership.

Female Recipient- Bethany Laue (Volleyball) - Cumulative GPA: 3.8; graduated this spring.

Bethany Laue served as a team captain and team chaplain. She exuded the love and spirit of Christ not only to her teammates but her opponents as well. She helped keep her co-captains, teammates and her coaches spiritually accountable. Bethany helped keep team spirits up through 2 team quarantines and one of the longest seasons the program has ever had!

Male recipient- Teni Onitiri (Men’s Soccer) - Teni volunteered at Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary. He worked as a mentor and was instrumental in increasing the academic performance and overall behavior of his student. Teni started most of the season with his first year on the First Team and maintained a 3.76 this semester and a 3.38 overall. 

Cecil C. Zweifel Award - Initiated in 1996, this award honors Cecil C. Zweifel who developed the major in health, physical education and recreation; was the catalyst for the initiation of the athletic program; holds the record for wins in collegiate soccer in the state of Kentucky; was primarily responsible for the raising of the funds for the Luce Center; and inspired all of us with his witness for Christ. This award is presented annually to student-athletes with a minimum GPA of 3.00 who have made significant contributions to their team.

Female recipient – Bethany Fye (Volleyball) - Major: Psychology

Class: Junior

Cumulative GPA: 3.96 

Stats: 2nd Team All-Conference; Ranked 5th in RSC for overall blocks, 7th in RSC for blocks per set.

Bethany served as a team captain this past season. She rarely was taken off the court; she played every match and was the most trusted player by her coaches and her teammates. She was asked to shoulder a ton of responsibilities this past season and never once backed down.  

Male recipient – Dakota Walden (Men’s Basketball) 

• Major: Business
• Cumulative GPA: 3.38
• Stats/Details: Dakota is a part of a group of guys that meet weekly for Bible study and accountability. The group has grown because of his willingness to lead. This has carried onto the court and locker room. He had a tremendous finish to the season. His spiritual growth and leadership development are evident in his daily life.
• 6.8 points per game
• 2.1 rebounds per game

Frank B. and Lucille Fryman Award- This is an award for student-athletes that honors former staff members Frank and Lucille Fryman. Both gave loving service to Asbury University for several years. Mr. Fryman worked in the physical plant and Mrs. Fryman worked in the college bookstore. Their son, Bill, is a graduate of Asbury University and the father of Travis Fryman who played professionally for the Cleveland Indians.This award is for demonstrated excellence as a varsity student-athlete, for strong Christian witness and demonstrated attitude of service, and demonstrated potential for leadership. It is open to all academically eligible student-athletes.

Female recipient- Faith Wiley (Women’s Golf) – 

• All-Conference First Team 
• •Two-time RSC Player of the Week 
• •Won three Individual Tournaments (RSC Fall Preview, IU East Spring Invite, Alice Lloyd Invite)
• •6 top-five finishes 
• • Finished inside the top 10 in every tournament in the spring season. 
• •RSC Scholar Athlete & NAIA Scholar Athlete

Male recipient – Trey Miller (Men’s Soccer) - Trey is an RA, member of the LEXSPORTS Outreach team, Men’s Soccer Rep on SAAC, Team Captain, and was 1st Team All-RSC.