By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director

Right around the corner is one of the biggest stories in the history of Centenary College Athletics – the official restart of football.

The Gents kick off their first season of intercollegiate competition this fall since World War II, while other established fall sports on campus resume action as well.

The final step before turning the page to the 2024-25 athletic year takes place next week for Centenary Athletics.

Two Centenary senior competitors are among the finalists for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference man and woman of the year awards to be issued next Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

The awards recognize the conference’s senior student-athletes who have best distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence and service and leadership. Member schools were permitted to submit two nominations for each gender, if at least one of the nominees was a man of color or international student-athlete. One winner is chosen for each gender.

Senior Chrys Jackson, a member of the Centenary basketball team, is one of the four finalists for the 2024 SCAC Man of the Year award.

The other three finalists are James Settles of Colorado College, Maxwell Mims of Southwestern and Michael Kohl of Trinity. The 2024 SCAC Man of the Year will be announced next Wednesday by the league office.

Jackson is an English major with a 3.78 GPA and a member of the Dean’s List. He served as a team captain for the Gents twice, was recognized as the SCAC Character and Community student-athlete of the week once, and is a two-time member of the SCAC Winter All-Sportsmanship Team.

The Gentlemen won the SCAC Tournament played at the Gold Dome, and reached the NCAA Division III Tournament. 

Centenary junior Madeline Vacula, a member of the swimming team, is one of the seven finalists for the 2024 SCAC Woman of the Year award. She’s eligible because she graduated a year ahead of her class.

The 2024 SCAC Woman of the Year will be announced next Thursday.

The other six finalists are Samantha Thiele of Austin College, Kendall Accetta of Colorado College, Johnna Campbell of Southwestern, Mallarie Munson of St. Thomas, Sydney Ouellette of Texas Lutheran and Brette Thornton of Trinity.

Vacula, a biochemistry major with a 4.00 GPA, graduated with summa cum laude honors, the highest possible. Her many accomplishments include:

• Centenary College Dean’s List (2022-24)

• Academic All-District, Women’s Swimming (2024)

• Three-time All-SCAC Honoree (2022-2023)

• SCAC Champion (1,650-Yard Freestyle, 2023)

• SCAC Swimmer of the Week (2022)

These two seniors represent the top qualities that any college or university seeks to celebrate in its student-athletes. They are the cream of the crop for Centenary’s 2024 senior class.

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu