Thomas, Dubose named MVPs at Banquet
Chris Weeden
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — The night belonged to Trey Thomas (Canton, GA, Woodstock) and Sharay DuBose (Salisbury, MD, Parkside).
The duo took home the Male and Female Athlete of the Year award, respectively, Sunday night at the 2010 Student-Athlete Banquet, held in the Multi-purpose Room of the Student Union Building.
Thomas and Dubose were chosen from a list made up of the MVPs of each team and then voted on by the head coaches and athletic staff. Thomas was named football's offensive MVP while Dubose collected the top prize in women's basketball and softball.
Thomas led LU in catches (51) and touchdowns (4). His most productive day came against Bowie State, where he hauled in 11 grabs. In a win over Southern Virginia, his 82-yard touchdown grab was Lincoln’s longest since bringing back football.
Dubose led LU in point (15.2) for the second consecutive year. The sophomore guard was voted the HSRN Division II Player of the Week in early February for her performance against Elizabeth City State when she scored 16 straight LU points. She was instrumental as the program went from two wins in 2008-09 to five in 2009-10.
In softball, she led Lincoln in average (.460), doubles (5), hits (18), runs (11) and was second in RBIs (8) and third in stolen bases (8). As the left fielder, she was Lincoln’s most consistent defender. The softball program went from five wins in 2009 to 7 in 2010, establishing a new program high.
Sportsmanship was honored as part of the Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman Award, given to the male and female athlete that conducted themselves in a positive manner to teammates, coaches, opposing schools and LU staff. The award was named after Dr. Frank "Tick Coleman," LU's first "Mr. Lincoln" and a member of the class of 1935. He played quarterback and remained close to his alma mater as its most ardent supporter.The winners of the award were football's Brucelee Sterile (Miami, FL, North Miami Beach) and women's basketball and softball player Sasha Evans (Hampton, VA, Phoebus).
There were a number of additional highlights. Rev. Frederick Faison delivered an entertaining speech themed around "Striving for the A," encouraging the LU student-athletes to "advance in the classroom, on the court and character."
As part of the continued initiative to promote academics in athletics, LU unveiled sashes that graduates will wear at commencement May 2 with "student-athlete" draped around the neck.
President Dr. Ivory V. Nelson praised the effort in the final remarks, stating that it proudly recognizes those that give so much to Lincoln.
The evening not only recognized past greatness but addressed the future with the Male and Female Newcomer of the Year Award. On the men's side, Matthew Coston (Brooklyn, NY, Dover) claimed the award. Not only did he finish tied with Thomas with four touchdown receptions, but he also was Lincoln's top runner in the 800 and a stalwart in the 4x400-meter relay. Volleyball's Nekia Morris (San Bernadino, CA, San Gorgonio) was the female recipient, leading LU in kills.
Xavier Oliver made a special appearance. The 9-year-old water boy that inspired the football team with his heroics following the death of his father last August was welcomed to the podium by football coach Elliot Lightfoot. Oliver requested the microphone, and with everybody in attendance greeting him with a standing ovation, he declared he would be back on the sidelines in 2010.
The event, which lasted two hours, featured videos produced by Noel Webster (Hagerston, MD, Elkton) and a photo gallery by Ivri Daniels.