UCA's Johnson, ACU's Karnei Earn Steve McCarty Citizenship Award
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – The Southland Conference revealed the student-athletes receiving the 2017 Steve McCarty Citizenship Awards: Central Arkansas soccer player Kelsey Johnson and Abilene Christian golfer Kyle Karnei. Commissioner Tom Burnett made the announcement Thursday.
The award recognizes both male and female student-athletes who exhibit outstanding qualities in citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership and community service. Johnson and Karnei, both seniors, will be honored May 23 at the annual Southland Honors Dinner and Ceremony at the Westin Stonebriar Hotel in Frisco.
The honor is named for the former Stephen F. Austin athletic director, who served at the school for 21 years, including 15 as athletic director. McCarty, an Alto, Texas, native, retired from SFA in 2005 and is a two-time graduate of the university. He’s a member of the SFA Board of Regents and the SFA Alumni Association’s “Football Coaches Hall of Honor.” McCarty was inducted into the Southland Conference Hall of Honor in 2006.
Kelsey Johnson, Central Arkansas
Johnson, a product of Tomball, Texas, is a defender/midfielder on the soccer team. The early adult education major’s selection for this honor stems largely from actions and performance beyond the pitch.
In the spring of 2016, a tumor was discovered in her left frontal lobe during an exam following an automobile accident. Despite this news, Johnson remained with her teammates, never missing a practice or workout, nor any of her classroom commitments. She secured a 3.35 GPA that semester.
Johnson had surgery to remove the benign tumor in May, followed by radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Despite treatments that lasted most of the summer, she worked out regularly with the goals of passing her physical fitness test and garnering medical clearance to play her senior season.
She passed her fitness test but was not cleared to play. Nevertheless, Johnson participated in her team’s practices and weight training sessions, and remained on the sidelines for games – all while undergoing her second round of chemotherapy.
Prior to the team’s Senior Day game against Northwestern State, coaches worked behind the scenes with the Lady Demons to arrange for her to start the match despite not being medically cleared for contact. Johnson started the contest, delivering a pass to a teammate before the ball was kicked out of bounds and she was replaced by a substitute.
Johnson’s teammates credit her with providing inspiration and support that helped the Bears claim the conference regular season title with an undefeated 10-0-1 mark.
She went on to finish the fall with a 3.41 GPA despite receiving ongoing treatment. She recently underwent a third round of chemotherapy, but has yet to miss a single day in her student-teaching program.
During her four years at Central Arkansas, Johnson saw action in 45 matches, splitting her 1,530 minutes between the midfield and the Bears' back line. She tallied two assists and 10 shots, placing five of her attempts on frame.
Kyle Karnei, Abilene Christian
Karnei’s accomplishments while at Abilene Christian are notable, far reaching and include much more than golf. While playing all four years, the McGregor, Texas, native has consistently served in various leadership roles and been active in a variety of community endeavors.
As a freshman, Karnei was the golf representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), going on to serve as SAAC president during his sophomore, junior and senior years.
He is also been involved in student government, winning election and serving as the sophomore class vice president before his election as junior class president of ACU Student’s Association. Karnei is the senior student activities coordinator of Gamma Sigma Phi, a Christian social club on campus.
His activities with Gamma Sigma Phi include developing and executing a 68 Hour Volleyball event. The event raised nearly $20,000 for two beneficiaries – the Hudson Wade family and a former member of the club battling leukemia.
Wade was a child from Abilene who lost his battle with leukemia in February 2016 at age 11. Karnei created the Hudson Wade 5K on his behalf. The race included participation by several ACU students and raised thousands of dollars for the family’s medical bills.
Both the 68 Hour Volleyball event and Hudson Wade 5K continue.
Beyond campus, Karnei volunteered last summer at a local Boys and Girls Club while working more than 40 hours per week at an accounting internship. Additionally, he volunteers at Hendrick Medical Center as a student chaplain who visits patients.
Karnei’s tied for 26th at the 2017 Southland Conference Championship last week in McKinney, Texas. He is a three-time member of the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.