ATLANTA, Ga. (July 12, 2024) - The Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) has announced winners and nominees for the prestigious Man and Woman of the Year awards.
Piedmont’s Ryan Jolly has been named the 2024 CCS Man of the Year honoree, while Belhaven’s Kennedy Carruth earned the 2024 CCS Woman of the Year award.
These awards recognize the top male and top female student-athletes for their athletic, academic, service, and leadership involvement during the academic year.
“It is a tremendous honor to recognize this year's CCS Man and Woman of the Year recipients along with the impressive slate of nominees. I remain amazed at the tremendous success and dedication these student-athletes display and the inspiring example they set for their campus and communities,” said CCS Commissioner Beth Vansant. “Congratulations to Ryan Jolly and Kennedy Carruth, along with the nominees, for their remarkable accomplishments and setting such a high bar for excellence within our conference.”
Meet the 2024 CCS Man of the Year: Ryan Jolly, Men’s Basketball, Piedmont University
Ryan Jolly was a men’s basketball student-athlete at Piedmont University where he majored in business management and finished with a GPA of 3.44 and continued his education at Piedmont in pursuit of his MBA.
Jolly is an exceptional representative of both Piedmont University and the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS). As one of 10 finalists for the prestigious Jostens Trophy, awarded to the top DIII student-athlete for excellence in athletics, academics, and service, Ryan’s leadership on and off the court shines brightly. His selfless play is evident in his career total of 336 assists, and he has never received a flagrant or technical foul, earning the respect of his teammates and coaches through his maturity and work ethic. Graduating in the summer of 2023 with a 3.44 GPA, Ryan is now pursuing his MBA at Piedmont, all while engaging in numerous service opportunities, including volunteering at a local preschool, working with special needs children, and speaking to high school groups.
Ryan’s leadership extends beyond the basketball court. He organized and led elementary and middle school basketball camps, mentored area youth, volunteered at Connie Maxwell Children's Ministries, and served as a referee for high school summer league games. Academically, he has been recognized on the CCS All-Academic Team and twice on the NABC Honors Court. His athletic achievements include being a CCS First Team All-Conference selection, leading the team and CCS in scoring with 21.1 points per game in 2023-24, and earning a spot as a top-10 finalist for the Jostens Trophy. Ryan also broke the program record for free throws made in a single season (144) and ranks second all-time in program history for total points (1,374) and total assists (336).
"What a tremendous way for Ryan to complete his time at Piedmont in our basketball program and the Collegiate Conference of the South. To be named by your peers as the conference's senior Man of the Year award winner says a great deal about how a person competed and conducted themselves on and off the court and for people in our conference to have recognition of that," said Piedmont's Director of Athletics, Jim Peeples. "The Piedmont Family is so proud of Ryan and what he has accomplished as a student-athlete. This award is the culmination of a tremendous career, and I couldn't think of a better young man to be the conference's award winner."
Despite tearing his Achilles during the third game of the 2021-22 season, Ryan's perseverance and positive attitude during his rehab exemplify his dedication and character. He returned to help Piedmont achieve its best NCAA era start at 6-1 in 2023-24, earning accolades such as the Will Landry MVP of the Lee Pfund Classic Championship and a spot on the D3hoops.com All-Region Second Team. Ryan's journey at Piedmont University is a testament to his resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Meet the 2024 CCS Woman of the Year: Kennedy Carruth, Softball, Belhaven
Kennedy Carruth was a softball student-athlete at Belhaven where she majored in Sports Management and has maintained a GPA of 3.79. Being a student-athlete at Belhaven University has significantly shaped Kennedy as a leader, scholar, and athlete. Her experiences at Belhaven provided her with the skills, determination, and vision to positively impact the world.
Kennedy had a chance to work on the Interfaith Youth Core project, an initiative aimed to foster cooperation and understanding among students from diverse religious backgrounds. As the project coordinator, she organized educational seminars, interfaith dialogue sessions, and community service activities that united students from various faiths. Leading this project taught Kennedy the importance of empathy and finding common ground in diversity.
Balancing academics and athletics improved Carruth’s time management skills and solidified her work ethic. Playing softball taught her the value of teamwork, leadership, and discipline both on and off the field. Competing for a national championship was an experience that demonstrated her and her teammates' commitment and dedication. Playing against top athletes tested her tenacity and highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
Opportunities for leadership at Belhaven have been crucial to Kennedy’s development. Her involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) provided a platform to promote faith-based values and build a supportive community among student-athletes. Attending FCA meetings and organizing outreach events deepened her understanding of servant leadership and the importance of nurturing spiritual well-being. Additionally, through the Interfaith Youth Core, Kennedy led interfaith discussions and community service projects, further reinforcing her commitment to creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. She also volunteered with the Special Olympics where Kennedy assisted in coaching athletes and witnessed how the power of sports can transform lives, fostering a sense of achievement, confidence, and community among the athletes.
Belhaven University equipped Kennedy with a comprehensive skill set and a deep sense of purpose. The integration of leadership experiences, challenging academics, and physical discipline prepared her to make meaningful contributions to society. Ms. Carruth is committed to using her education and experiences to address global challenges, advocate for social justice, and inspire others to reach their full potential.
"We are extremely proud of this recognition of Kennedy by colleagues across the conference. We are grateful for the woman she is and for her elite accomplishments both on and off the field," said Belhaven's VP & Director of Athletics Scott Little. "There are so many outstanding women student-athletes across the CCS, and it is an honor to have Kennedy as one of our own."
Carruth’s journey at Belhaven University is marked by exemplary leadership, academic excellence, and athletic prowess. Her leadership roles included involvement with Dumas Wesley, Prodisee Pantry, Veterans Home, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brother Big Sisters Association, Special Olympics, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Academically, she was recognized as a 2024 College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American, earned multiple Academic All-Conference honors, and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. Athletically, she distinguished herself by being named to the 2024 Division III Women's College World Series All-Championship Team, receiving NFCA All-American honors multiple times, and breaking several program records, including all-time ERA, wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched.
Other nominees for CCS Woman of the Year are as follows:
- Fabiola Garcia, Agnes Scott, Women’s Tennis
- Emma Kalbfleisch, Covenant, Women’s Volleyball
- Sara Koonce, Maryville, Softball
- Abbey Grace Venham, Piedmont, Women’s Tennis
The nominees for CCS Man of the Year are as follows:
- Daryl Rice, Maryville, Men’s Basketball
- Knox Gibson, Covenant, Men’s Soccer
- Dalton Brooks, LaGrange, Baseball
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
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