Albany State University Students Receive National Awards

Two Albany State University student athletes have been named recipients of national awards, which honor African American students for their academic, civic and athletic achievements.

Shanele Kirvin and Marcus Powell are two of 10 student athletes selected from historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) throughout the country that received the first-ever Speed Stick-HBCC Scholar-Athlete Awards. The awards are sponsored by the Colgate-Palmolive Company and the Historically Black College Coalition (HBCC), according to Phyllis Woolley, director of African American Marketing for the Colgate-Palmolive Company. Albany State is the only school to have two student athletes represented on the team.

"The Speed Stick-HBCC Scholar-Athlete Program is a prestigious special achievement program designed to nationally recognize and reward scholar-athletes at Historically Black Colleges and Universities who excel academically, athletically and civically," Woolley said. "These young people represent the best talents and achievement that can be developed at HBCUs. We are extremely proud of them."

Craig Cason, executive director of the HBCC, said the awards, which are based on academic performance, level of participation in intercollegiate athletics and demonstrated active involvement in the nominee's community and in civic service activities, is an excellent opportunity to showcase black college athletic talents. "We are committed to raising awareness of, and respect for, the well-rounded student athlete," Cason said.A senior Criminal Justice major from Kathleen, Ga., Kirvin is a member of the Lady Rams Cross Country and Track and Field teams. During her collegiate career, the Lady Rams Cross Country and Track and Field teams won the 1998, 1999 and 2000 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championships. She was named to the All-SIAC and All-Academic teams for both sports during those years. She is a member of the ASU Gospel Choir.

"I am extremely proud to have been named to the Speed Stick-HBCC team," Kirvin said. "It is great honor to represent not only Albany State University athletics, but black college athletics as well."

Powell, a junior Physical Education major from Woodbury, Ga., is a member of both ASU Cross Country and Track and Field teams. He was the recipient of the 1999 Cross Country Most Valuable Participant Award and was named to All-SIAC team and All-Academic teams in 1998 and 1999. He is a member of the ASU Concert Chorale and marching band."I am excited about the award and the scholarship donation to Albany State. It encourages me to keep working hard and to help other people succeed as well." Powell said.

As part of the scholar-athlete program, Colgate-Palmolive and the HBCC will donate $4,000 to the school's athletic scholarship fund for each student represented on the team. The Speed Stick-HBCC Team will be featured on Black College Sports Today, as well as in national publications.Other student athletes named to the Speed Stick-HBCC Scholar-Athlete Team are Charlene Rutland, Paine College; Harvey Hinton III, North Carolina A&T University; Lucinda Brown, Virginia Union University; Marlon Firle, Alabama State University; Persha Gregg, Benedict College; Monica Jacobs, Fayetteville State University; Claude Toukene, Norfolk State University; and Devin Pack, Alcorn State University.

Front Page

Newsroom Index