On Tuesday, May 4, 2017, the Falcons packed the gymnasium at the L. Gale Lemerand Center for Daytona State College's annual athletics awards banquet. Students, coaches, parents and staff enjoyed a great evening with catering from Carrabba's Restaurant and a bevy of awards honoring our top student-athletes for the 2016-17 season.

It was a very successful year on the field, in the classroom, on the court, at the course and on the pitch. Every one of the Falcons' eight varsity athletics programs finished with a record at .500 or above for the year. Six of the DSC athletic squads received Top 20 national rankings this year including women's volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, women's golf, men's basketball and women's fast pitch softball. Seven of our teams qualified for postseason play. Eleven student-athletes received first-team conference honors this year, with many additional honorees receiving second and third team recognitions as well.

The Falcon baseball squad finished the season 21-21, 12-12 in conference play, earning a spot in the NJCAA Region 8 Wild Card play-in game. Although spring grades were not final as of the banquet, the baseball team is on track to add to their 10 consecutive Mid-Florida conference male academic team of the year awards and hold their spot as the top male academic team in the NJCAA as well.

Pitcher Gage Hutchinson was one of three student-athletes honored with the L. Gale Lemerand Leadership Award at this year's banquet and outfielder Alex Hendricks was honored as the top male scholar athlete of the year.

Thirty-three of our student-athletes are moving on to four year universities in the fall, with several more still undecided. It is our greatest pride to see our Falcons leave the nest and soar on to their next chapter. We wish all of our graduating sophomores the best and thank parents, coaches, staff and faculty for supporting another stellar season in Falcon athletics.

L. GALE LEMERAND LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS

This award recognizes a student-athlete annually for his/her outstanding leadership, commitment to all responsibilities as a student-athlete, setting a positive role model example for all student-athletes, demonstrating a concern for and desire to help others and a desire to further develop and enhance the Daytona State College intercollegiate athletic program. 2017 Award winners (left to right): Nashad Mackey (men's basketball); Amanda Nikhazy (women's softball) and Gage Hutchinson (men's baseball) with Dr. Thomas LoBasso, President of Daytona State College.

SCHOLAR ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes a student-athlete annually for his/her outstanding academic achievement, commitment to academic responsibilities, persistence in striving toward identified academic goals and the overall ability to attain a high level of academic success at Daytona State College. 2017 Award Winners (left to right): Alex Hendricks (men's baseball) and Kaye Kwon (women's golf) with Dr. Thomas LoBasso, President of Daytona State College.

Rueben Ball Most Valuable Player	Gage Hutchinson Pitcher of the Year	Matt Sparling Fireman of the Year	Austin Barnes Student-Athlete of the Year	Alex Hendricks Scholar-Athlete of the Year