Photo Gallery

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Seniors Courtney Geesing (volleyball) and Tyler Sykora (football) received the highest distinction a student-athlete at Southern Arkansas University can garner as they were chosen as the 2013-14 recipients of the Auburn Smith Award. The two were presented with the award at the annual SAU All-Sports Banquet on Monday evening in the Grand Hall of the Reynolds Center.
 
The Auburn Smith Award, given annually to both a women's and men's student-athlete, is named in memory of Auburn Smith, who served as athletics director, administrator, coach and instructor at the university. Athletic ability, performance, character and scholastic achievement are all considerations by which head coaches and athletic administrators at the university selected the honorees.
 
Geesing, a native of Montrose, Colo., has been a two-year starter for the SAU volleyball team at outside hitter. In her time at SAU, Geesing played in 66 career matches and 238 sets. A versatile player, Geesing totaled 547 career kills and 590 career digs.
 
A strong presence at the net as well, Geesing compiled 66 career total blocks with 17 being solo blocks and 49 being assisted blocks.  Geesing also racked up 42 career service aces in her two seasons.
 
Academically, Geesing is majoring in pre-nursing at SAU. She was also named to the 2012-13 GAC All-Academic Team and qualifies for inclusion on the 2013-14 team which will be announced over the summer.
 
Sykora, a native of Hot Springs Village, Ark., was a three-year starter at quarterback for the SAU football team. In his time as the Muleriders' signal-caller, Sykora virtually re-wrote every offensive passing record at SAU as he ended his career with claim to 17 school records (7 single-season, 7 career, and 3 game).
 
A two-time All-GAC quarterback, Sykora was a finalist for the 2014 Arkansas Star of Tomorrow Award and was also the 2014 Little Rock Touchdown Club MVP for Southern Arkansas. In his career, Sykora would throw for over 9,000 yards (over 5,000 more than anyone at SAU). Additionally, he would toss 82 touchdowns in his career (47 more than anyone at SAU).
 
Academically, Sykora is currently a graduate student at SAU pursing his master's degree in Kinesiology-Coaching. In December of 2012, Sykora graduate Cum Laude with his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. This past year, Sykora was a candidate for the National Football Foundation's (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete Award. On March 31, 2014, Sykora was named as the NFF National Scholar-Athlete of the Day.
 
The evening also featured the distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. Winners of this year's Scholar-Athlete of the Year were Hanna Gill (Softball) and Auburn Smith Award winner, Tyler Sykora (football).
 
In order to be nominated for the Scholar Athlete Award, a player must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA, have completed at least 56 semester hours, with at least one semester at SAU.  Selection of the honorees is done by considering GPA, athletic accomplishments and citizenship.
 
Gill, a native of Albany, La., is a junior starting pitcher for the SAU softball team. A holder of 12 school pitching records already, Gill was an All-GAC First-Team pitcher last season. This season, in limited action, Gill is 8-3 with a 2.65 ERA. In 66.0 innings pitched so far this year, Gill has struck out 50 batters and is holding opponents to a .261 average against her.
 
Academically, Gill is majoring in Biological Sciences. A member of SAU's Dean's List four times, Gill was named to the 2012-13 GAC All-Academic Team and is eligible for inclusion on the 2013-14 team as well.
 
On top of the four individual awards that were voted on by head coaches and select athletic administration, 12 other SAU student-athletes received recognition as they were selected as the outstanding athlete for their sport for this past year.
 
Among those receiving recognition as their sports' outstanding athlete were: Jordan Abbey (Athletic Training), George Adams (Men's Golf), Tyler Cameron (Baseball), Aerriel Collins (Cheerleading), Carli Langley (Women's Cross Country), Amanda Levin (Women's Golf), Chanel Miller (Women's Basketball), Shelby Miller (Softball), Duke Reed (Men's Basketball), Tyler Sykora (Football), Chris Wallace (Men's Cross Country), and Lauren Woods (Volleyball).
 
Dan Gregory, with KVMA/KVMZ radio served as emcee for the evening's event.