Link to full list of award winners

JACKSON, Tenn. - Union University presented more than 60 awards to students, faculty and staff May 1 during the Virtual Awards Day celebration. The annual event, normally held in the Union chapel, was moved online this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several Union student-athletes were named among the many award winners. 

Kristen Pickens of the softball team earned the Fred DeLay Memorial Award. This award is given to a senior who is an outstanding athlete, a person of high academic standings, unquestionable loyalty and good character. The Jackson, Tenn. and former USJ standout, serves as the president of the Union Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and is also the Gulf South Conference SAAC Chair. She led the GSC last season in runners thrown out, while leading Union as the starting catcher to the GSC Tournament. 

Abbie Rahn of the volleyball team earned the subject award for Major in Teaching and Learning. Rahn, from Schaumburg, Ill., was named the GSC Libero of the Year, all-conference, and surpassed 1,000 digs for her career. All this while leading Union to its first every GSC Tournament in volleyball. Union finished fourth in the standings and advanced to the GSC semifinals.

Molly McKelvy of the softball team earned the subject award for Major in Athletic Training. The Columbia, Tenn. native was a four year player for the softball program and was a part of Union's GSC Tournament team last season. She is a four-time member of the GSC Honor Roll and was an NFCA Scholar-Athlete.

Gabby Morris of the softball team earned the subject award for Major in Exercise Science and Wellness. The Adamsville, Tenn. native is a four-year starter as a pitcher and outfielder. She was twice named All-GSC and was All-South Region as a sophomore. Before this season was stopped, she had already been named the GSC Pitcher of the Week twice and TSWA Pitcher of the Week once. She is a four-time member of the GSC Honor Roll. 

Amanda Leatherwood of the women's cross country team earned the subject award for Major in Physical Education and Health. Leatherwood, from Arlington, Tenn., earned the first every GSC Champion Scholar Award giving to the championship participant with the highest GPA. This was the inaugural year for the GSC Champion Scholar award. She was also named to the GSC Honor Roll and helped lead Union's women to a runner-up finish in the GSC Championships and a fifth place region finish. 

Brooke Watson of the women's soccer team earned the subject award for major in Sports Management. The Southhaven, Miss. native was a four-year starter for the Lady Bulldogs, playing in 62 matches for her career. She was a part of Union's GSC Tournament team in 2018 and was a four year member of the GSC Honor Roll. 

-UNION-