WASHINGTON (April 25, 2025) – Tuesday (April 23), Howard University Department of Athletics hosted its annual Blue Carpet Award Ceremony inside Cramton Auditorium on the campus of HU. The ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of its 21 programs, staff and student-athletes.
 
The guests were welcomed by emcee Jeff Beckett and Director of Athletics Kery Davis, followed by guest speaker remarks from MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Hall of Famer and Howard women's basketball former standout Saadia Doyle.
 
After words from Doyle, Beckett took over and began announcing the awards. First were the 84 team awards, followed by 21 department awards. The team awards consisted of the program's most valuable player (MVP), newcomer of the year, most improved and newly soul of the team.
 
The departmental awards began with the Sports Medicine Award, given at the discretion of the Sports Medicine team to a student-athlete who embodies the commitment to improving after a setback or injury. Graduate guard Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.) won the accolade after returning from a season-ending injury before the 2023-24 season to earning 2024-25 All-MEAC First Team honor.
 
This year's Iron Bison Award, presented to a male and female student-athlete who provides outstanding guidance and support and demonstrates what it means to be an Iron Bison, was given to track outdoor sprinter Tiffani-Rae Pittman (Bowie, Md.) and football defensive lineman Noah Miles (Tampa, Fla).
 
Senior Rameses Gaines (Oxon Hill, Md.) from men's soccer won the male highest GPA (grade-point-average), accumulating a 4.0 average. On the women's side, softball's Kenna Higa (Honolulu) and soccer's Kyra Bolden (McLean, Va.) each posted a 4.0 GPA; thus, sharing the female highest GPA.
 
The highest team GPA award went to women's golf.
 
The Essential Piece Award, an honor given to a strong supporter of Howard Athletics, was given to three recipients: Anjanette Antonio (Director of Procurement & Contracting), Tonja Smith (Christopher Travel) and Oliver Street (Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management).
 
The most anticipated moment of the night was the presentation of the Sydney Satchell Award for Perseverance. The award is named after Howard Paralympian Sydney Satchell, who was involved in a life-altering car accident that resulted in the amputation of a limb. Unwilling to be deterred, Satchell fought every day to get stronger and has become an inspiration to many. This award was received by softball graduate Bri Martinez (Albuquerque, N.M.), who overcame multiple devastating knee injuries and surgeries to return to play this season.
 
The MEAC Player & Rookie of the Year freshman guard Blake Harper (Washington) was awarded Male Athlete & Male Newcomer of the Year while MEAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Outstanding Runner Joslyn Crosby (Bossier City, La.) and graduate hurdler standout Marcia Sey (London, United Kingdom) won Co-Female Athlete of the Year. NEC Individual Champion sophomore golfer Paris Fieldings (Chesapeake, Va.) took home Female Newcomer of the Year.
 
The department's Coach of the Year was presented to Brent Leiba of women's soccer after guiding the program to its first NEC (Northeast Conference) Regular Season and Tournament titles.
 
The Athletic Director's Award, presented by AT&T, was given to a student-athlete who exemplifies winning in the classroom, competition and community. This year's recipient was two-time NEC Female Outstanding Swimmer Zuilda Nwaeze (Columbia, Md.).
 
The amazing night ended with women's soccer winning Team of the Year after their historic season as NEC (Northeast Conference) Regular Season Champions and NEC Tournament Champions.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.