Each year the USA South Athletic Conference presents its most prestigious awards by honoring one male and one female student-athlete. These student-athletes are recognized as recipients of the Don Scalf Award (male) and the Rita Wiggs Award (female). The 2026 Rita Wiggs Award winner is Piedmont University women's golfer, Erin Donovan, while the 2026 Don Scalf Award goes to Southern Virginia University baseball student-athlete, Zack Geertsen. Each honoree will be the Conference's nominee for the Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) regional and national awards.

To be eligible for each award a student-athlete must have competed in a USA South-sponsored sport, earned an undergraduate degree no later than the summer 2026 term and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale. The nominated athletes are evaluated on a specific rubric 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. Each award focuses on the full collegiate career of the student-athlete from academic, athletic and community service aspects.

Former USA South 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 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.


Rita Wiggs Award: Erin Donovan - Piedmont University

Donovan becomes the first Piedmont student-athlete to be named the Wiggs Award winner. A highly-decorated student-athlete, Donovan has led the Piedmont women's golf program for the past four years. She is a two-time USA South Player of the Year, the 2023 USA South Rookie of the Year, and a four-time First Team All-Conference performer. This past year, Donovan led her team to the program's first-ever USA South Conference Tournament championship. Individually at the League event, she twice captured medalist honors and finished in the top-five of all four appearances. On a national scale, Donovan participated in three NCAA Division III National Tournaments, with a best finish of tied for 11th in 2024, and was named a Women's Golf Collegiate Association (WGCA) All-American on three occasions. She finished her collegiate playing career winning ten events.

In the classroom, Donovan graduated Magna Cum Laude double-majoring in Mass Communications and Sports Communications with a cumulative GPA of 3.79. She appeared on the Piedmont President's Scholar list six times and the Dean's List on eight occasions. In each of her final three years, Donovan received USA South Academic All-Conference accolades, WGCA All-America Scholar recognition, and Collegiate Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District distinction. She also earned two campus awards, the Mass Communications Major Award and the Community Impact Award.

On the subject of service within her community, Donovan served as Editor-in-Chief of The Roar, the University’s student newspaper, while also engaging in meaningful service through the Cornelia Soup Kitchen and involvement with the Society of Professional Journalists. Beyond campus, she contributed to the Georgia State Golf Association by working 20 junior tournaments as a rules official, starter, scorer, and communications intern. Finally, Donovan supported her peers as a member of the Piedmont Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), serving as an executive board member.

What they are saying...

"Receiving the Rita Wiggs Woman of the Year Award is an incredible honor and one that means more than any individual accomplishment I have received. It truly is a testament to the character I have worked to build, not only as a golfer, but as a student, teammate, and person. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who have challenged me, believed in me, and supported me throughout my college career. I am incredibly grateful to my coaches and the faculty that believed in me and pushed me to grow in more ways than just on the course. This recognition reflects the impact each of them has had on my life, and I am honored to represent everyone who has helped me become the person I am today." - Erin Donovan

"Our department could not be prouder of Erin for earning this achievement. Erin is an outstanding student, a hard-working athlete, and represents to the highest-degree the criteria this award carries. We are excited for Erin to be named the 2026 Rita Wiggs Award winner!” - Jamie Purdy, Piedmont Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator

"We are excited to see Erin named as the 2026 Rita Wiggs Award recipient. Her talent and abilities on the golf course speak for themselves, but Erin’s persistence, preparation and leadership were unmatched both on and off the course. She represented Piedmont and Division III Women’s Golf with exceptional character and pride; we could not be prouder of her achievement." - Blake Watson, Piedmont Head Women's Golf Coach


Don Scalf Award: Zack Geertsen - Southern Virginia University

Geertsen becomes the first Southern Virginia student-athlete to be named the Scalf Award winner. Geertsen was a key contributor for the Knight baseball squad during his time on campus. He appeared on the USA South All-Conference team in three seasons, earning accolades in two different positions each time. Geertsen was named First Team All-Conference as a designated hitter/utility player twice and a starting pitcher once. He also earned Second Team All-Conference honors as a starting pitcher twice and a designated hitter/utility player once. In addition, Geertsen earned USA South Rookie of the Year honors in 2024. On the regional stage, Geertsen collected All-Region honors three times, including being named the D3baseball.com Region 6 Rookie of the Year. Pulling double-duty, Geertsen concluded his career with a .380 batting average, 102 RBI, and 12 home runs while also adding 15 wins on the mound. 

Academically, Geertsen compiled a 3.887 cumulative GPA while graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Management and Leadership. He appeared on the Southern Virginia Provost's List six times, was a two-time Collegiate Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honoree, and earned USA South Academic All-Conference honors on three occasions.

In his community, Geertsen served as the Chief Operating Officer for the SVU Business Club, helping organize and support weekly events as part of the club’s leadership team. He also coordinated teammates to collect litter across local parks, riverfront areas, and trailheads. In addition, he tutored students in Mandarin Chinese and worked regularly with local high school athletes to develop their baseball skills.

What they are saying...

"I am so incredibly honored to receive the Don Scalf Award. I am thankful for my family and their constant love and support for me, my coaches and teammates for pushing me to be better every day, and the professors and administrators at SVU for always being willing to help me. Without these people, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and this award represents the impact they have had on my life. I’m so grateful for the three years I spent at Southern Virginia! Go Knights!" - Zack Geertsen

"I am thrilled for Zack, winning the Don Scalf Award is the ultimate proof that you really can do it all. To excel on the baseball field, succeed in the classroom, and lead with such passion in the community is nothing short of incredible. He has set the new standard for what it means to be a student-athlete at Southern Virginia University." - Josh Monsen, Southern Virginia Director of Athletics

"I couldn't be prouder of Zack. The Don Scalf Award recognizes the very best of what it means to be a collegiate student-athlete, and Zack has earned it in every sense. He excelled on the field, in the classroom, and in serving others, but what sets him apart is the way he did it- with humility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates and our university. He has raised the standard for Southern Virginia Baseball, and this honor is a well-deserved reflection of the legacy he leaves behind." - Tyler Cox, Southern Virginia Head Baseball Coach

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