GEORGETOWN, Texas — Seniors T.J. Vela and Landri Brown were selected as the 2019-20 Southwestern University Fay Vincent Sr. Sportsmanship award winners.
These awards are presented annually to the male and female student-athletes who exhibit the highest caliber of sportsmanship, maturity, character, and dignity in and beyond the playing field. The awardees promote civility and treat referees, officials, teammates, and opponents with genuine respect. Beyond the playing field, the awardees are community leaders and represent Southwestern University in the best possible light.
Vela graduated in the fall of 2019 with a degree in business and was a team captain on the football team.
After missing the 2018 season with an injury, Vela returned a stronger football player and a better leader in his senior season. The humorous, charismatic Vela was a near-unanimous vote for team captain and is a role model of hard work and dedication.
The senior offensive lineman started all 10 games this season and was named the offensive captain responsible for interacting with officials in every single one of them.
"It say a ton about his maturity that everyone trusts him," Head Coach Joe Austin said. "Everyone knows what a difficult season we had with injuries but he was always so positive and upbeat."
During Vela's injured season, he traveled to road games on his own to support his teammates, waving a towel and pacing the sideline on crutches. This year, he was a strong voice in helping his teammates cope with their injuries. The experience also made him an empathic presence on the field, where Vela was always the first to help teammates or opponents to their feet.
Brown played through injury on the volleyball team and remained a positive presence on and off the court.
She has a knack for making connections and served as an ambassador for Southwestern University volleyball when it hosted other teams, sharing information with opponents about the facility, the schedule, or the location of things around the area. This type of respect and sportsmanship is a unique and powerful trait for Brown.
"Landri Brown has the heart that makes people around her aware that she cares for them even if they wear another jersey," Head Coach Don Flora said. "Landri has an ability to make the officials and lines people always feel welcome when they are working matches at Southwestern. She is a person who puts her best foot forward in representing the SU Athletic Department and SU Volleyball Program."
Other finalists include men's swimming and diving's Todd Coachman, men's lacrosse's Bailey Middleton, women's lacrosse's Grace Maynard, and women's tennis' Mariana Quetzeri.