UT-Martin Equestrian Team Presented With NCEA Sportsmanship Award

The University of Tennessee at Martin Equestrian team was awarded this year’s National Collegiate Equestrian Association Sportsmanship Award. The Skyhawks were selected by the NCEA head coaches at the NCEA meetings in Fort Worth, Texas earlier this month. This is the first NCEA sportsmanship award for the UT-Martin Equestrian Team.

The Skyhawks have demonstrated excellence while participating in the NCEA both on and off the field. The team has logged more than 1,000 hours of community service during the 2014-15 academic year while boasting a 3.15 team GPA for the fall 2014 and spring 2015 semesters.

“This year proved to be a challenging year for our team. But, as always, the Skyhawks rose up” said Head Coach Meghan Cunningham. “I am honored that UT Martin was recognized for the 2015 NCEA Sportsmanship Award. We are blessed to be surrounded by a great staff and student-athletes.”

Earlier in the year, the Skyhawk Equestrian team was informed that the UTM athletics department had plans to drop the sport as an NCAA countable sport following the 2016 season, impacting the future growth of equestrian at UT-Martin. The student-athletes and their coaching staff have continued to compete both home and away with a winning attitude.

The NCEA Sportsmanship Trophy was donated by Carly Anthony, Pot Creek Farm, and Champions Choice Trophies in 2012.

“I wanted to bring this award to the NCEA because great sportsmanship from a team aspect should not only be the norm, but should be held at the forefront of the team’s mission,” Anthony said.

Past winners include the 2013 Delaware State University equestrian team and the 2014 South Dakota State team.