MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The SSAC released the 2021-22 individual award winners at the 2022 SSAC Awards Banquet Sunday evening.
Barnes & Noble College Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Naufal Kamaruzzaman, Middle Georgia
Kamaruzzaman produced a 4.0 GPA in the classroom as a business administration major. On the court for the Middle Georgia men’s tennis team, he helped the Knights to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Men’s Tennis National Championship. He earned First-Team All-Conference honors after going 12-2 in singles play and 10-3 in doubles, including 5-0 marks in SSAC competition.
Barnes & Noble College Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Jaden Morace, Mobile
In the classroom, Morace posted a 3.92 GPA as a kinesiology major and pre-physical therapy minor. On the field, she earned SSAC First-Team All-Conference and Gold Glove honors, while helping the Mobile softball team to a No. 1 national ranking, national runner-up finish and the SSAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships. The outfielder hit .430 and slugged .585, while posting 83 hits, 75 runs, 35 RBIs and 31 steals. She broke the school single-season runs record and tied the single-season hits mark. She also broke the SSAC single-season runs record, with the previous record being 68.
Neptune GameTime Sports Information Director of the Year: Camal Petro, Loyola
Loyola AD Brett Simpson: “Being somewhat new to sports information, it has been fun to watch Camal grow into the profession. His journalism background has served him well, but he has quickly excelled in promoting excitement around our student athletes and teams. He has fully embraced and thrives on the enormous workload that comes with a team's or department's success. He is a trusted member of our department's leadership team and has quickly built relationships across our campus and city. We are so fortunate to have him as part of the Pack!”
Loyola Tennis Coach Matthew Llewellyn: “Camal’s genuine interest and support of all our teams is awesome. We’re lucky to have him at Loyola.”
Loyola Volleyball Coach Jesse Zabal: “Camal prides himself on creating and sharing impeccable work, which can be seen in how often he has his laptop and/or camera on the sideline of the court/field/course, editing graphics, finding just the right photo, and making sure our student athletes and programs are represented well. His attention to detail has allowed our student athletes to be recognized for not only their on court/field/course achievements, but academics and community based achievements as well. He assists with the connections with local and national coverage, and does it all completely behind the scenes & outside of the spotlight. His focus is letting the world know who Wolf Pack Athletics is, and we are so appreciative of his hard work and dedication.”
Newk’s Eatery Athletics Director of the Year: Brett Simpson, Loyola
Camal Petro, Loyola SID: “Brett has been an incredible leader during my three years at Loyola, and the 2021-22 academic year wasn’t any different. Facing many obstacles along the way this year, Brett never wavered in his leadership. His love for Loyola is palpable, and it trickles down to every staff member, coach, student-athlete and athletic trainer. Loyola athletics wouldn’t be where it’s at now without Brett, and the incredible year we had both academically and athletically wouldn’t have happened without him at the helm.”
Jesse Zabal, Loyola Volleyball Coach: “It has been one of the toughest years our department has seen in a long time, but also one of our most successful. We would not have been able to reach this level of success without the support and guidance of Brett. He fights for us and our student athletes every day to get what our programs need to be successful academically and athletically. He's led us through natural disasters, tragic & unexpected loss, facility damage, and while the journey ahead is still long, his work makes the light at the end of the tunnel brighter every day. I appreciate his loyalty to Wolf Pack Athletics and all of his time & energy spent in our constant pursuit of excellence.”
Damali Thomas, Loyola Assistant AD: “Brett provides everyone in the department the open space to excel in our respective areas. He values the work we do and cultivates an environment of growth and ‘learning opportunities’ (never failures). Whether it be helping coach, being the biggest supporter on the sidelines, or by giving a helping hand in any way possible Brett only wants the best for our staff and the Loyola student-athletes.”
Kellie Kennedy, Loyola Women’s Basketball Coach: “Brett is so great to work for and with. He provides such tremendous leadership while giving those he works with autonomy to do what they are good at. He is highly respected throughout the sports community. You always have his care and concern and at the same time he has his subordinates’ utmost respect.”
Athletic Trainer of the Year: Allie Simpson, William Carey
Steve Knight, WCU Men’s Basketball Coach: “Allie joined our program at a time when we were in need of adding to our training room staff based on sport offerings and expanded demands. Due to her extensive knowledge, professionalism and work ethic, she quickly gained the trust of our coaches and student-athletes, becoming one who we could always rely on for expert service. Allie has been particularly impressive as a point person during the Covid pandemic. Her ability to multitask has been very impressive and she will be sorely missed at William Carey. She is very deserving of this award and has provided excellent care for WCU student-athletes during her time with us”.
Woman of the Year: Mercedes Gillon-Gantt, Talladega
Gillon-Gantt founded the Dream Classic Academy, which is a foundation to help student-athletes in their pursuit to finding careers once their playing career ends. She brought in a panel of professional women to speak on a variety of topics, including mental health and female empowerment.
Ms. Alexandrea Wright, Director of FastTrack Program: “We are always supposed to represent ourselves with high expectations and with class, and she bears both of these qualities.”
Coach of Character: Jesse Zabal, Loyola
Robert Pitre, Loyola Assistant Indoor Volleyball Coach: “Our team motto is to “leave it better than you found it”. That applies to something as simple as picking up your trash on the bench after a match or it can be as complex as graduating from a program with a better win-loss record than when you arrived. She has instilled this value into each and every student-athlete that has entered her program and every graduate that has left the program better than they found it.”
Emma Fahy, Loyola volleyball player: “Coach Zabal is the kind of coach we wish to play for -- she is compassionate, focused, and willing to bend over backward for her players.”
Jesse Zabal: “After Hurricane Ida, our team spent an unforgettable two weeks together. It forced them outside of their comfort zones and pushed them to be their most vulnerable selves. Vulnerability is a norm and staple of our team, starting at the top. The more open I am with them, the more willing they are to share with me.”
Dr. Ronald Melton Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year: Bill Hervey, Middle Georgia
Jason Williams, Middle Georgia Associate AD: “He deeply cares for every athlete that we have at Middle Georgia State University. Bill is always available for any questions that our staff has. I’ve worked with FAR’s at other institutions, but no one compares to his level of professionalism.”
Ethan Money, Middle Georgia Sports Information Director: “He goes to great lengths to satisfy
the players and coaches so that they can focus on their seasons without having something looming over their head to worry about.”
Comeback Player of the Year: Angela Grant, Faulkner University
This is a new award, chosen by SSAC athletic trainers. Grant returned to the court for the Faulkner women’s basketball team after suffering two torn ACL’s. She appeared in 16 games this season, starting 13, and averaged 20.8 minutes, 7.8 points and 7.9 rebounds, while shooting 56% from the floor.