Each year the USA South Athletic Conference presents its most prestigious awards by honoring one male and one female as the Student-Athletes of the Year. These student-athletes are recognized as recipients of the Don Scalf Award (male) and the Rita Wiggs Award (female). The 2021 Rita Wiggs Award winner is Maryville College dual-sport student-athlete (volleyball/women's basketball) Kelley Wandell while the 2021 Don Scalf Award goes to Covenant College men's soccer student-athlete Noah Lee.

To be eligible for each award a student-athlete must have competed in a NCAA-sponsored sport, earned an undergraduate degree no later than the summer 2020 term and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.

Don Scalf's commitment to the student-athlete, guardianship of the value of academic achievement and devotion to the principles of Division III athletics set a standard that holds steadfast in the Conference today. He taught for 36 years and coached for 18 at N.C. Wesleyan College. He also served as Athletic Director at N.C. Wesleyan for six years. During his coaching career his teams won Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball and golf championships. In addition, he was a founding father of the DIAC in 1963 and served as its Secretary-Treasurer for 25 years.

Former Commissioner Rita Wiggs, a tireless advocate of women's collegiate athletics as well a constant encourager of service to one's community, was the USA South's first full-time Commissioner serving the League for 16 years. In the spring of 2016 she was inducted into the USA South Hall of Fame. The Wiggs Award honoree is also the Conference's nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. For more information on the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, click HERE.

 

Rita Wiggs Award: Kelley Wandell - Maryville College

Wandell was a key member of two teams during her collegiate athletic career on the Maryville campus. As a right side hitter on the Scott volleyball squad, Wandell played in 73 matches totaling 275 kills, 108 digs and 68 blocks. She helped Maryville capture two West Division championships and a Conference Tournament title which led to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. On the basketball court, Wandell appeared in 91 games, starting 50 of them. She averaged 6.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest over her career and helping the Scots to two West Divisional championships while being named to the USA South All-Sportsmanship Team twice. In the classroom, Wandell boasted a 3.93 cumulative GPA while majoring in Political Science with minors in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She found herself on the Dean's List for the entirety of her time on the Maryville campus, including five times as a member of the USA South All-Academic All-Conference Team. Wandell received a presidential scholarship each year and graduated Magna Cum Laude in December of 2020. In the spring of 2021, Wandell was inducted into Alpha Gamma Sigma, the honor scholarship society at Maryville. Some of Wandell's campus leadership included membership on the Maryville Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) which involved time serving as the organization's President. She also served as Vice-President of Maryville's "Athletes for Change" group and co-chair of the campus Peer Mentor program. Finally, Wandell was a Maryville resident assistant for two years and a member of the psychology club.

What they are saying...

"Thank you so much to everyone who made this possible! It is an honor to even be in the conversation for this award. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to represent not only myself, but Maryville College and the USA South. I cannot thank my coaches, teammates, friends, family, school, and the USA South enough for this incredible honor. Go Scots!" - Kelley Wandell

"When I came to Maryville two years ago, Kelley taught me the value of being a Scot. She is more than deserving of this honor and I'm so very proud to have been a small part of her journey at Maryville." - Sara Quatrocky, Maryville Athletic Director

"The USA South could not have chosen a more deserving person. Kelley made an immediate impact on our campus in 2016 and never looked back. She is the epitome of "student-athlete". Her academic excellence as well as her willingness to serve in numerous campus areas, combined with her contributions on the volleyball and basketball courts, are just amazing. This young woman is quite amazing and I am so very proud to call her a SCOT!" - Kandis Schram, Maryville Volleyball Head Coach

"Kelley is so deserving of this honor. She represents everything that you want in your student-athletes, whether that's in the classroom, on the court, or on campus. Our entire institution is better because of Kelley and her integrity, intellect, work ethic, and passion for college athletics. She served not only Maryville College, but the entire USA South Conference, and she will continue to be a wonderful ambassador for all of us." - Darrin Travillian, Maryville Women's Basketball Head Coach

 

Don Scalf Award: Noah Lee - Covenant College

Lee was a two-year captain and steady presence within the Covenant men's soccer defense for four seasons as he played in 72 total games, starting 70 of them. While helping the Scots post 26 shutouts during his career, Lee also scored one goal and assisted on two others. Lee appeared on the USA South All-Conference team twice, was included within the League All-Tournament team once and was a 2019 All-Region honoree when he helped Covenant capture the Conference West Division regular season title. That season, Covenant set a new USA South high for conference wins in a season with a 13-0-0 record. Academically, Lee compiled a 3.78 cumulative GPA as a Biology major and was a four-time USA South Academic All-Conference honoree. He appeared on the Covenant Dean's List and the Scot Athletic Honor Roll eight times while also being named Academic All-District in 2021. Finally, Lee served the Covenant community by being a member of Tri-Beta Biological Society and a founding member of Fire and Rescue Club. Additionally, he volunteered within the nearby city of Chattanooga with CHI Memorial Hospital on the Ethics Consultation Service, with the Chattanooga Sports Ministries and with Special Olympics and Autism Speaks.

 

What they are saying...

"I am extremely honored and humbled to be chosen as the USA South Male Athlete of the Year. I am thankful for the support over the years from my family, friends, teammates, and coaches, as well as from everyone at Covenant. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend Covenant and play soccer for the last four years. The memories made here will last a lifetime, Go Scots!" - Noah Lee

"Noah Lee is an incredible young man, and we were blessed to have him on campus for four years. His passion for Christ, commitment to academic excellence, and outstanding performance on the field represent the best of Covenant athletics, and provide a great model for those who follow after him." - Dr. Tim Sceggel, Covenant Athletic Director

"Noah Lee is the embodiment of the term student-athlete. Noah is an outstanding student and a tremendous soccer player and has been a joy for me to coach for the last four years.  Our team motto is 'Not For Self' and Noah has been an outstanding representative of this motto as he has pursued excellence in everything he does while giving the glory to Christ.  I look forward to seeing how God will use this kingdom servant as he leaves Covenant to affect the world for Christ. Congratulations Noah on a well-deserved honor". - Scott Bosgraf, Covenant Men's Soccer Head Coach

 

To view past Don Scalf and Rita Wiggs Award winners, click HERE.