MSU Hosts Second Annual Maroon & White Night

Teaira McCowan and Anderson Peters were named the 2019 Female and Male Athletes of the Year.

MSU Hosts Second Annual Maroon & White Night

April 22, 2019 | Baseball, Cross Country, Football, Athletics, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Softball, Track & Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Soccer, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Student-Athlete Development

Photo Gallery

by Mary Catherine Molay, Graduate Assistant/Communications

STARKVILLE –Accompanied by a maroon carpet with live music and glamourous attire of dresses and suits, Mississippi State's Second Annual Maroon & White Night took place Monday (Apr. 22) night at The Mill Conference Center.

With all 16 sports being represented, MSU recognized those who had earned All-American and All-SEC accolades and outstanding achievements in the classroom and community. Other awards given were Athletes of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Moments of the Year and the Newsom Awards.

With our "Voice of the Bulldogs," Neil Price, as the emcee with a special appearance from athletics director John Cohen, nine different awards were given. Teaira McCowan (women's basketball) and Anderson Peters (track and field) being named female and male athletes of the year was the highlight of the evening.

After earning First Team All-American honors from six different publications and leading the Bulldogs to their first SEC Tournament crown, Teaira McCowan was a member of the winningest class in MSU history (132 games) that made it to the NCAA Elite Eight in each of the last three years. She broke MSU career records for games played (149), double-doubles (70) and rebounds (1,502) before being taken with the third overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

Anderson Peters, the Grenadian national record holder in the javelin, currently is No. 3 spot in the world with a school-record throw of 86.07m (282-4), which ranks third in collegiate history. On the NCAA leaderboard he holds an 8.53m (28-0) edge over teammate Curtis Thompson and a 10.74m (35-3) advantage over the next-highest collegiate thrower. His mark of 82.82m (271-8) at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last year was an NCAA meet record and broke the MSU freshman record. Peters holds 11 of the top 25 throws in collegiate history.

"Our student-athletes really enjoy this night because they get to see each other in a different light, away from the classroom and competition," Cohen said. "They get dressed up. They get to present awards to each other. We get to celebrate their achievements. The entire idea behind Maroon and White Night is really driven by our student-athletes, and this is what makes this such a special night."

Below is a breakdown of all the awards …

Community Service Awards
Winners: Anastasia Rentouli (Women's Tennis), Kody Schexnayder (Football)
Description: Presented to individuals showing the greatest level of engagement beyond athletics, recognizing those who made significant contributions to MSU and the great community
Clanga Cup
Winner: Women's Track and Field
Description: Given to the team most engaged with their holistic development, this award fosters the commitments of the life skill office, while championing academic and athletic excellence

Overall Newsom Awards
FemaleWinner: Anastasia Rentouli (Women's Tennis)
MaleWinner: Cole Gordon (Baseball)
Description: Named in memory of Carroll and Francis Newsom, this award champions academic excellence, personal development, community service and athletic success

Newsom Awards by Sport
Cole Gordon (Baseball), Aric Holman (Men's Basketball), Jazzmun Holmes (Women's Basketball), Stewart Reese (Football), Ross Bell (Men's Golf), Teri Doss (Women's Golf), MaKayla Waldner (Soccer), Emily Heimberger (Softball), Nuno Borges (Men's Tennis), Anastasia Rentouli (Women's Tennis), JT Mackay (Men's Track and Field), Logan Boss (Women's Track and Field), Mia Meydrich (Women's Cross Country), Kendall Murr (Volleyball)

Alex Wilcox Perseverance Award
Winner: Cassady Knudsen (Softball)
Description: Named in memory of Alex Wilcox, this award recognizes the most deserving female whose determination and perseverance in overcoming obstacles academically, athletically, or even personally, is a testament to their tremendous character

Dowsing-Bell Perseverance Award
Winner: Marcus Murphy (Football)
Description: Named in honor of pioneers Frank Dowsing Jr. and Robert Bell, this award recognizes the most deserving male whose determination and perseverance in overcoming obstacles academically, athletically, or even personally, is a testament to their tremendous character

Best Moment
Winner: Elijah MacNamee's (Baseball) Three-Run, Walk-Off Home Run
Description: Presented to the best highlight or moment of the athletic year between May 2018-April 2019 and voted on by those in attendance on Monday night

Coaches of the Year
Winner: Vic Schaefer (Women's Basketball) and Matt Roberts (Men's Tennis)
Description: Given to the coaches with the greatest athletic achievement

Athletes of the Year
Female: Teaira McCowan (Women's Basketball)
Male: Anderson Peters (Track and Field)
Description: Presented to the most outstanding male and female athletes for exemplary athletic performance