Martin & Williams Tabbed As Jean Stephens Memorial Award Winners

CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati student-athletes Sam Martin (men's basketball) and Shannon Williams (volleyball) were named the 2021 Jean Stephens Memorial Award Recipients 
 
The duo was honored on Friday, April 23, 2021 during the Bearcats baseball game against Wichita State at UC Baseball Stadium.  The award was presented by Sue Stephens, sister of Jean Stephens. 
 
ABOUT JEAN STEPHENS 
In 1999, UC Athletics lost one of its most loyal and dedicated staff members, Jean Stephens. Two years later, to recognize and promote the qualities Stephens exemplified in her 15 years of service, the Jean Stephens Memorial Award was instituted to recognize a female and male student-athlete for their high integrity, high ethical standards, respect for all persons and commitment to both UC Athletics and the University of Cincinnati.
 
SHANNON WILLIAMS • VOLLEYBALL
Williams, a senior marketing major and vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, co-founded the Black Student-Athlete Association during the 2020-21 academic year.
 
Quotes from Shannon William's nomination:

• Has a massive impact on everyone she encounters from the department, to Lindner College of Business, to campus, to the community
• Loves to see everyone around her happy and does her best to make everyone feel just that; this is just a small part of her magnetic personality.
• Constantly seeking leadership opportunities both to be involved with as much as she can and to learn how to build upon and grow her leadership skills; caring, consistent, present, reliable, dependable, fair, inclusive…all qualities of her leadership style.
• Approaches life and all its challenges with a most positive attitude and smile…literally every challenge she approaches with a smile.

 
SAM MARTIN • MEN'S BASKETBALL
Martin, a senior finance major and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, is also a member of the Lindner Honors-PLUS Program. 
 
Quotes from Sam Martin's nomination:

• Sam is a Cincinnati native who embodies everything it means to be a Bearcat and live the ONE TEAM culture.
• He shows a level of work ethic, dedication and selflessness that is extremely rare. He supports his teammates on and off the court and is also a leader among his peers in the athletics department.
• He joined the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as a sophomore to make a difference in the student-athlete experience and was elected President by his peers this past year. He is truly an outstanding individual whose impact will be felt at UC long after he graduates.

 
2021 JEAN STEPHENS MEMORIAL AWARD
FEMALE NOMINEES
Taylor Gysin • Lacrosse
Sam Mlkvy • Lacrosse
Madison Less • Soccer
Audrey Capannari • Swimming & Diving
Hannah Markel • Cross Country/Track & Field
Shannon Williams • Volleyball
 
MALE NOMINEES
Joey Bellini • Baseball
Dondrae Bremner • Baseball
Nate Moore • Baseball
Sam Martin • Basketball
Coby Bryant • Football
Blake Hanna • Swimming & Diving