On April 24, the Sandhills Community College Flyers gathered in the Dempsey Student Center for the second annual Marty’s Gala, a night dedicated to celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of the college’s athletic programs.
The evening was a true reflection of the Flyers’ spirit, planned and designed by a committee of student-athletes, said Sandhills Community College in a news release. Volleyball players Cassidy Jewett and Reagan Smith, beach volleyball players Aydan Bullard and Kennedy Koziarz, basketball players Mike Fee and Damien Robinson, and golfers Vegas Melen and Landon Cabingas worked throughout the spring semester to craft a first-class event for their teammates, coaches, school administrators, and athletic supporters.
Jeff Garner, the familiar voice of Flyers home volleyball matches, served as the emcee for the evening, setting a fun atmosphere for the night. Attendees were treated to a delicious meal catered by OTG Fresh, making it a night to remember.
Following dinner, awards were presented to celebrate the top performances across each sport and within the athletic department:
Team Awards
Women’s Volleyball
Kristin Dodds – Impact Player
Zoey Hall – Hustle Award
Beach Volleyball
Best Pair – Lainey Mullins and Reagan Smith
Aydan Bullard – Breakout Season
Men’s Golf
Vegas Melen – High Flyer Award
William Dement – Iron Man Award
Athletic Department Awards
Caroline Bradford – Female Athlete of the Year
Damien Robinson – Male Athlete of the Year
Academic Honors
A total of 28 Flyers were recognized for earning NJCAA Region 10 All-Academic honors for the fall 2024 semester. These student-athletes maintained full-time enrollment while achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher:
Demyron Williams, Kevin Gentry, Mylon Campbell, Xavion White, Caroline Bradford, Katelyn Bunting, Kristin Dodds, Sydney Garner, Zoey Hall, Jacque Holden, Cassidy Jewett, Nikki Lambert, Jenna Luquer, Lainey Mullins, Julia Porter, Megan Robinson, Reagan Smith, Haley Whitaker, Mia Sanchez-Hernandez, Wyatt Beaver, Connor Lineberry, Evan Cowell, Kip Vegas Melen, Landon Cabingas, Robert Reedy, Trace Wallace, Alison Bates, and Elizabeth Ritter.
Spring Region 10 All-Academic and NJCAA All-Academic selections will be announced following the conclusion of the spring 2025 semester.
Special Recognition: Louis Meyer Brown Sr. Award
One of the evening’s most prestigious moments was the presentation of the Louis Meyer Brown Sr. Award for Excellence in Athletics. This award, named in memory of Louis Meyer Brown—a passionate student-athlete and lifelong supporter of Sandhills Community College—honors the outstanding student-athlete each year.
This year’s recipient was Ben Read, a former Flyer who is currently a member of the Appalachian State University Men’s Golf Team. Ben’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence made him a deserving honoree for this special recognition.
“The second annual Marty’s Gala showcased everything that makes Sandhills Community College athletics exceptional: dedication, teamwork, academic achievement, and a shared sense of community,” said the release. “As the Flyers look ahead, the future has never been brighter.”
Feature photo by Andrea Reed.
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