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 2024 Rita Wiggs Award winner is Methodist University golfer, Maggie Williams, while the 2024 Don Scalf Award goes to another Monarch, baseball student-athlete Hunter Hollman.
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 2024 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: Maggie Williams - Methodist University
Williams, a key member of Monarch women's golf team for four seasons, becomes the second Methodist student-athlete to earn the Wiggs Award (Lindsey Pritchard - 2019). As a freshman, Williams helped her team capture the 2021 NCAA Division III Women's Golf National Championship. She was a four time USA South All-Conference honoree and a member of four USA South Conference Championship teams, earning All-Tournament Team accolades twice. Academically, Williams accumulated a 3.92 cumulative GPA while majoring in marketing. She was a four-time academic all-conference team member, a four-time Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholar, and found herself on the Methodist President's List five times as well as the MU Dean's List on three occasions. This past spring, Williams was named Methodist's Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Williams' service and leadership consisted of being a four-year member of the Monarch Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) while also serving as the Methodist Professional Golf Management Program's social media coordinator.
What they are saying...
"My four years at Methodist were more impactful than I ever imagined. My team, school, and community became my family and encouraged me through the good times as well as the tough times. Methodist, and the USA South Athletic Conference, provided me with foundation and support to learn, to grow, and to be an engaged citizen. The Rita Wiggs Award represents the heart of what it means to be an NCAA Division III student-athlete, and I am very honored for this recognition" - Maggie Williams
"We are extremely excited and honored that Maggie has been selected for the Rita Wiggs Award. Maggie has had an amazing career and embodies all the great characteristics of an NCAA Division III student-athlete. She excelled on the course, in the classroom, and has had a very positive impact on our campus community. We are very proud of her and all her accomplishments while at MU!" - Dave Eavenson, Methodist Director of Athletics
"I'm incredibly proud of Maggie for winning the Rita Wiggs Award. This achievement is a testament to her unwavering perseverance, exceptional character, and dedication as a teammate. Maggie's hard work and determination have always set her apart, and her positive attitude and support for others have made her an invaluable member of the team." - Kelsie Warren, Methodist Head Women's Golf Coach
Don Scalf Award: Hunter Hollman - Methodist University
Hollman becomes the fifth Methodist male student-athlete to be named a Scalf Award winner. Hollman was a four-year member of the Monarch baseball program, appearing in a total of 102 games, starting all but 12 of them. He was a 2024 USA South First Team All-Conference honoree after compiling a .400 batting average during the season. Additionally, for his efforts this past spring, Hollman was named First Team All-Region by multiple publications. Academically, Hollman compiled a 3.40 cumulative GPA while majoring in computer science, was a three-time member of the USA South Academic All-Conference Team, and was named a Methodist Scholar-Athlete on three occasions. Hollman participated in many activities off the baseball diamond while on-campus including serving as a new student orientation leader and a Greek Council executive while also being a member of the computer science club and assisting in community clean-ups.
What they are saying...
"I am deeply honored to be recognized as a recipient of the Don Scalf Award. It is a privilege to be included among the previous winners and to have my name mentioned alongside Don Scalf himself. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my coaches and teammates for their support and guidance, without which this achievement would not have been possible. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication we have put in together as a team for the past four years. Forever a Monarch!" - Hunter Hollman
"We are extremely excited and honored that Hunter has been selected for the Don Scalf Award. Hunter was a great leader on our baseball team and competed with class and at a high level. He excelled in the classroom and his campus and community engagement. We are very proud of all that he has accomplished!" - Dave Eavenson, Methodist Director of Athletics
"Hunter is the epitome of a student-athlete. He did a great job academically, was a quality baseball player, and a winner on the field and in the classroom. He was a leader in his fraternity and was highly respected by his teammates as they selected him 2024 Captain and Most Valuable player! Don Scalf did so many little things that helped our conference and Hunter did the same things for our team. I wish to thank the conference on behalf of the Methodist University Baseball team for honoring Hunter." - Tom Austin, Methodist Head Baseball Coach
To view past Don Scalf and Rita Wiggs Award winners, click HERE.