Louisville, KY: The NCCAA inducted two new members into the Hall of Fame at the Hall of Fame Banquet during the Annual Convention. Also honored were recipients of the Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Award, Meritorious Service Award, President’s Award for Excellence, and Sports Ministries Award.
Hall of Fame
GP4L Character Award: Female Student-Athlete | Male Student-Athlete | Female Athletics Staff | Male Athletics Staff
Meritorious Service Awards
President's Award for Excellence
Sports Ministries Award
Arlon Beadles and Patrick Gilliam, 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees
Hall of Fame Inductees
Arlon Beadles
Patrick Gilliam
Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize NCCAA student-athletes and athletics staff who epitomize the Christian character qualities of LOVE, INTEGRITY, FAITH, and EXCELLENCE.
Daniel Anderson and Tera Weyer accepting their awards.
This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Student-Athlete Character Award recipient is Tera Weyer from North Central University (NCU). Tera, a women’s golfer, finished her intercultural studies course work in December and graduated in 3.5 years with a 4.0 GPA. Tera has been a leader in many ways including team captain of the women’s golf team, co-director of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and volunteering at a children’s reading center.
Tera won 5 tournaments during her NCU career and has the lowest career average round per 18 holes in program history. She also has the lowest career individual round of 84. Tera was honored as an All-Conference Golfer in 2015.
“Tera exemplifies character and leadership in whatever she puts her hand to,” noted Michael Nosser, Vice President of Student Development. “She is a wonderful young woman who has been a blessing to our institution.”
Greg Johnson, NCU Director of Athletics, stated, “Tera exhibits love to all people."
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This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Male Student-Athlete Character Award recipient is Daniel Anderson from Maranatha Baptist University (MBU). Daniel is a men’s soccer student-athlete, and carries a 3.77 GPA in pastoral studies. The senior’s leadership roles have included Society Chaplain, Student Body Council Chaplain, volunteering in local church ministry, and involvement in MBU Men’s Soccer Ministry Team.
Daniel was a part of the 2014 NCCAA Division II Men’s Soccer National Championship team. He has been honored with numerous awards including NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, MBU Scholar-Athlete, Jamie O’Dell Spiritual Leadership Award, 4-Year Athletic Award at MBU, and winner of the MBU Concerto Competition (music award).
According to MBU Sports Information Director, Taylor Pill, “Daniel gives a clearer picture of who God is when he interacts with believers around him. He is able to clearly articulate his beliefs since he is a real student of God’s Word.”
Dr. Marty Marriott, President of MBU stated, “Daniel has grown into a man who has impeccable moral character and has been one of the campus’ true servant leaders.”
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This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Athletic Staff Character Award recipient is Beth Wilmeth from University of Northwestern (UNW). Beth has served at UNW for 12 years in the roles of Head Volleyball Coach and Senior Woman Administrator. She is a five-time Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Coach of the Year. Beth puts her high character on display every day, both as a volleyball coach and as an administrator.
Scott Groeneweg, Assistant Athletic Director for Recruitment at UNW, believes, “Beth’s life of integrity and pursuit of excellence represents the cornerstone as to why UNW has had such a successful volleyball program under her leadership.”
Perhaps the best example of Beth’s character and leadership are two former student-athletes she coached, Lydia Palkert and Emily Robertson. Lydia believes the most important things she learned under Beth were “that our strength is not of ourselves and our skills were given to us as a vehicle for the furthering of God’s Kingdom.” Emily, now a high school coach, stated, “Because of how Beth intentionally invested in me both on and off the court, I am able to pay it forward because I have seen the effect it has had on my life. Her character and love for the Lord is undeniable and I continue to strive to be a leader like her.”
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Hank Moore accepting his award.
This year’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Male Athletic Staff Character Award recipient is Hansford “Hank” Moore from Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU). Hank has served at SAGU for 15 years as Head Volleyball Coach. Hank’s volleyball team has averaged 20 wins a year and he recently earned his 300
th career win. More important than any win, though, is how he lives his life to serve God, serve others, and show Christ’s love in all of his responsibilities.
Natalie Tristan, SAGU Sports Information Director, noted, “Hank has poured the last 15 years of his life into pointing players toward Christ. It just so happens that along the path, he has been very successful in coaching volleyball as well.”
“Hank demonstrates and teaches character to student-athletes in a manner that applies practical life skills to the sport of volleyball,” according to Jesse Godding, SAGU Athletic Director. “He has developed within his players the need for responsibility and integrity.”
Tiffany Phillips, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at SAGU, stated, “I knew from the moment I met Hank that he had a passion for people, but more importantly a passion for Christ and a love for sharing Christ with others. He is a man of high integrity and faith, and provides a wonderful example to his students, his athletes, and his peers.”
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Meritorious Service Award winners
Meritorious Service Awards
| Bob |
Brickman |
Trinity Christian College |
National DI M&W Cross Country Chair |
2012-2016 |
| Jason |
Covarrubias |
Southwestern Assemblies of God University |
National DII M&W Cross Country Chair |
2013-2016 |
| Eddie |
Davis |
Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College |
DII Southwest Region Coordinator |
2013-2016 |
| Andria |
Harshman |
Colorado Christian University |
National DI Women's Volleyball Chair |
2013-2016 |
| Mark |
Miller |
Olivet Nazarene University |
National Indoor Track & Field Chair |
2013-2016 |
| Lanny |
Nihart |
Faith Baptist Bible College |
National DII Women's Volleyball Chair |
2013-2016 |
| Tom |
Price |
Bluefield College |
National DI Women's Soccer Chair |
2013-2016 |
| James |
Whitaker |
Columbia International University |
DI South Region Coordinator |
2013-2016 |
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Rob Thompson accepting for Maranatha Baptist University
President's Award for Excellence
The NCCAA is pleased to provide an annual All-Sports Award to be presented to one Division I and one Division II member institution. Points are earned based upon a team's finish in an NCCAA National Championship.
Division I Recipient- Oklahoma Baptist University (
click here to see final standings)
Division II Recipient- Maranatha Baptist University (
click here to see final standings)
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Chad Briscoe accepting for Grace College
Sports Ministries Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize member institutions having significant spiritual outreach through the utilization of athletic ministries.
This year’s Sports Ministries Award recipient is Grace College. Student-athletes and coaches from multiple sports teams, trainers, and board members served in various ministries throughout the year domestically and internationally. These ministry teams were able to hold sports clinics, deliver food to villages, play against and minister to international teams, and most importantly share Christ. A list and description of ministries is below:
- Feed My Starving Children (Winona Lake, IN): Packed meals to distribute to third world countries
- Urban Hope Ministries (Philadelphia, PA): Played with and ministered to children in inner city parks
- SCORE International (Dominican Republic): Held tennis clinics, visited orphanages, prayed with individuals, and delivered food to villages
- Women’s Soccer Trip (Nicaragua): Visited orphanages, ministered to opposing teams and people in villages
- Inner City Detroit (Detroit, MI): Held basketball clinics, shared Christ with local children
- Ignite International (Israel): Held volleyball clinics, shared Christ with Muslim volleyball teams
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