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 2023 Rita Wiggs Award winner is Southern Virginia University volleyball student-athlete, Emma Steiger, while the 2023 Don Scalf Award goes to N.C. Wesleyan University baseball student-athlete Zach Lyon.
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 2023 term and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale. The nominated athletes are evaluated based on their undergraduate cumulative grade-point average, athletic accomplishments, service and leadership contributions, and finally a personal statement describing how their experiences as a student-athlete have influenced their life and empowered them to have a positive impact on the world.
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 and the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) Women's Sports Student-Athlete of the Year. For more information on the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, click HERE.
The late 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 University. He also served as Athletic Director at N.C. Wesleyan for six years. During his coaching career his teams won Conference basketball and golf championships. In addition, he was a founding father of the League in 1963 and served as its Secretary-Treasurer for 25 years. The Scalf Award honoree is also the Conference's nominee for the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) Men's Sports Student-Athlete of the Year.
Rita Wiggs Award: Emma Steiger - Southern Virginia University
Steiger becomes the first Southern Virginia student-athlete to earn the Wiggs Award as she was a key member of Knight volleyball team for four seasons. In SVU's first two years as members of the USA South, Steiger helped the squad capture back-to-back Regular Season and Tournament Championships. This past season, Steiger became the first SVU student-athlete to be named USA South Libero of the Year, leading the Conference in total digs, digs per set, and service aces. Steiger was a Second Team All-East Division honoree in 2021 and earned First Team All-Conference accolades and was a member of the USA South All-Tournament team in 2022. Steiger will leave the Knight volleyball program as its record holder for career service aces with 194. Academically, Steiger accumulated a perfect 4.00 cumulative GPA while double majoring in biology and biochemistry along with a minor in psychology with a pre-physician assistance concentration. She was a four-time academic all-conference team member and named to SVU's Provost and President's List all four years in Buena Vista. Steiger's service and leadership consisted on being team caption for two seasons, tutoring fellow biology and biochemistry students, and volunteering for Remote Area Medical which offered free dental and vision assistance for those less-fortunate within the community.
What they are saying...
"I am honored to be the recipient of the Rita Wiggs Award this year. I'm grateful to be recognized as an individual, but have had the greatest support system throughout my endeavors. I'm very thankful for the support I have received from family, friends, teammates, coaches, professors, and the entire Southern Virginia community that have helped me to get where I am today. Go Knights!" - Emma Steiger
"We are so excited for Emma and grateful she has been chosen for the Rita Wiggs Award. She has been an exemplary student athlete as a core member of our women's volleyball team. She is the epitome of a Knight!" - Deidra Dryden, Southern Virginia Director of Athletics
"I am so happy to hear that Emma has earned the Rita Wiggs Award, she is such a phenomenal person and a great example to all. It has been fun to see her work hard and develop into a strong leader on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. Selfless, dedicated, and caring are three words that describe Emma." - Debby Baker, Southern Virginia Senior Woman Administrator and Head Women's Volleyball Coach
Don Scalf Award: Zach Lyon - N.C. Wesleyan University
Lyon becomes just the second N.C. Wesleyan male student-athlete to be named a Scalf Award winner (Blake Rice, 2006). Lyon was a four-year member of the Battling Bishop baseball program, appearing in a total of 141 games. He was a three-time All-Conference performer, including an appearance on this past season's Conference All-Tournament team, and was named All-Region following the 2023 campaign. Lyon helped lead N.C. Wesleyan to three consecutive League Regular Season titles and, this past year, the program's first Tournament title since 2009. The Battling Bishops made two NCAA Tournament appearances during Lyon's time in Rocky Mount. Academically, Lyon was a four-time member of the USA South Academic All-Conference Team and appeared on the N.C. Wesleyan Dean's and President's Lists several semesters. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration with a 3.87 GPA. A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Lyon assisted in his community in several ways, including working with Building Shalom which helped repair homes of those in need. Additionally, Lyon participated in a local ministry's youth lock-in as well as a Christmas toy drive with the Peacemakers of Rocky Mount which is a Christian community development organization serving deprived areas.
What they are saying...
"I would like to first thank God for making this possible and my family for supporting me throughout my academic and athletic journey. To receive this award is a tremendous honor and with hard work, perseverance, and faith anything can be achieved." - Zach Lyon
"I'm so happy for Zach as he has represented this University and our baseball program with the utmost class since he stepped on campus. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow as player and person these past five years. He will be hard to replace as a player, leader, and teammate." - Greg Clifton, N.C. Wesleyan Baseball Head Coach
To view past Don Scalf and Rita Wiggs Award winners, click HERE.