What a Night!
Coker celebrated the achievements of its student-athletes, coaches, and staff on Thursday evening at the 2026 FANG Awards, an annual event honoring excellence in competition, the classroom, leadership, and service.
HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker University Athletics celebrated the achievements of its student-athletes, coaches, and staff on Thursday evening at the 2026 FANG Awards, an annual event honoring excellence in competition, the classroom, leadership, and service.
Among the night's most prestigious honors, Elijah Utz of men's lacrosse was named the Chris Fuga Male Athletic Performer of the Year, while women's basketball standout Shawnteanna Tillman earned the Missy Patterson Female Athletic Performer of the Year Award, recognizing the top individual athletic performances of the year.
The evening was also highlighted by the presentation of the G.C. Timberlake Athletes of the Year Awards, given to the top overall senior student-athletes. This year's honorees were Kristynn Knight from women's basketball and men's lacrosse's Lennon Connolly, recognizing their outstanding accomplishments both on and off the field.
Coker's commitment to academic success was on full display, as the Women's Tennis program earned the Team GPA Award for their excellence in the classroom. Carter Freeman of the softball team was honored with the Dr. Jim Lemke Cobra Scholar Award, recognizing her dedication to academic achievement.
Several individuals were recognized for their impact beyond competition. Strength and Conditioning coach Trevor Cherry received the Garrett Bakhsh Heart and Soul Award, while Abbie McCants of softball earned the Rev. John Foster Cobra Service Award for her meaningful contributions to the community.
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Team Excellence Award was presented to the Women's Lacrosse program for their leadership and engagement, and Ben Lewis and George Cobb were named Interns of the Year for their outstanding work with the athletic communications staff.
On the competitive side, acrobatics & tumbling's Olivia Sison and baseball's Luke Alford were named Female and Male Breakthrough Athletes of the Year after impressive seasons. Women's soccer's Ella Wilke and men's soccer's Christian Johnson earned Newcomer of the Year honors for their immediate impact in their first seasons.
Rounding out the evening, Michael Donald was named Coach of the Year after guiding the women's soccer program to a standout season, while his women's soccer team claimed the Game of the Year honor for their victory over Tusculum in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament quarterfinals.