BALTIMORE – Baseball player Bobby Dragon along with women's basketball standout
Genesis Lucas were named the Coppin State Newcomers of the Year during the annual student-athlete banquet on Tuesday, May 5 in the Auxiliary Gym of the Physical Education Complex.
Dragon is the fifth Coppin State baseball player and first since Harry Williams in 2007 to be named Male Newcomer of the Year. Meanwhile, Lucas is the sixth Coppin State women's basketball player and first since Larrisa Carter in 2011 to be named Female Newcomer of the Year.
"I was very surprised," Dragon said upon receiving the award. "I didn't expect to get this award. I have to thank the man upstairs for everything he's done for me. Personally, I thank my teammates because I wouldn't have gotten this award without them. I have a lot to improve on. I didn't finish the way I wanted to at the end of the season so that's going to fuel to my fire and make me work harder this offseason."
Dragon made an immediate impact for the Eagles on the diamond. He led the Eagles with a .295 batting average. Dragon also finished the season as Coppin State's leader with 12 multi-hit games, 43 hits and a .370 slugging percentage. Dragon opened the season by reaching base in Coppin State's first 21 games. He also slugged two home runs and tied for the team lead with 18 runs batted in. Dragon enjoyed a season-high eight-game hitting streak from March 7-18.
Dragon became the sixth Coppin State player to have five hits in a game when he accomplished it during a game against Delaware State on March 21. Dragon was the first Coppin State player to have five hits in a game since Derek Richards did it against Norfolk State on April 11, 2011. The five hits tied a school record held by four other Coppin State players (Harry Williams vs. Alabama State, 3/20/08, Dwight Robinson at Florida A&M, 5/1/10, Chris Kashangaki at Florida A&M, 5/1/10 and Derek Richards at Florida A&M, 5/2/10).
In being named to the MEAC All-Rookie Team, Lucas averaged 8.9 points, 3.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds. She was 10th the MEAC in assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio. Lucas made her first start of the season against Florida A&M on Jan. 19. She started Coppin State's final 15 games and averaged 12.8 points, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
"I'm honored and I worked hard so I'm happy to win the award," Lucas said. "This season came as a huge surprise. I had no expectations to come in and do what I did or even have the coaches to believe in me to put me in the situation to do that. I'm also proud of Bobby as well. He's doing his thing."
Lucas scored in double figures 13 times and led the Eagles in scoring seven times. She scored a career-high 22 points against Delaware State, which helped earn her MEAC Rookie of the Week honors on Feb. 23. Lucas helped the Eagles win a game in the MEAC Tournament.
The nominees for Coppin State's year-end awards were voted upon by members of the CSU athletics department staff.
