Stafford, Hammond Headline Winners at Coppin State’s Eagles ESPY Awards Show

BALTIMORE – TaKenya Stafford from the volleyball team and track & field's Solomon Hammond received the President's Eagle and Athlete of the Year awards as Coppin State University's Department of Athletics held its annual Eagles ESPY Awards on campus Monday night.
 
Rishi Jalota from men's tennis and volleyball's Azul Pilahg were named the Scholar-Athletes of the Year while track & field's Elijah Williams and Cherisse Atilano from volleyball received the Newcomer of the Year awards.
 
The annual Iron Eagle awards were also presented, with those honors going to baseball's Keith Wallace and volleyball's Ayanna Pharoah.
 
Additionally, each team announced their program's Most Valuable Player, Unsung Hero and Most Improved Player awards.
 
President's Eagle Award
Men's: Solomon Hammond (track & field)
Women's: TaKenya Stafford (volleyball)
 
Athlete of the Year
Men's: Solomon Hammond (track & field)
Women's: TaKenya Stafford (volleyball)
 
Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Men's: Rishi Jalota (tennis)
Women's: Azul Pilahg (volleyball)
 
Newcomer of the Year
Men's: Elijah Williams (track & field)
Women's: Cherisse Atilano (volleyball)
 
Iron Eagle
Men's: Keith Wallace (baseball)
Women's: Ayanna Pharoah (volleyball)
 
2025-26 Team Awards
 
Baseball
MVP: Armando (AJ) Hurtado
Unsung: Dillon Kirksey
Improved: Angel Garcia
 
Men's Basketball
MVP: DeMariontay Hall
Unsung: Camaren Sparrow
Improved: Daveyon Lydner
 
Women's Basketball
MVP: Khila Morris
Unsung: Paris McBride
Improved: Sydney Burris
 
Bowling
MVP: Shenae Harrison
Unsung: Victoria Davis
Improved: Shenae Harrison
 
Men's Cross Country
MVP: Humed Nura
Unsung: Asa Francis
Improved: Whisper Shikwa
 
Women's Cross Country
MVP: Gifty Oku
Unsung: Tracey Riley
Improved: Kyah La Fortune
 
Softball
MVP: Giselle Ulloa
Unsung: Yasmin Burrell
Improved: Cameran Corbett
 
Men's Tennis
MVP: Liam Murtaugh
Unsung: Rishi Jalota & Awungjia Mbelem
Improved: Flavius Henderson II
 
Women's Tennis
MVP: Brandy Babcock-Hannah
Unsung: Abigail Perue
Improved: Kyla Proctor
 
Men's Indoor Track
MVP: Solomon Hammond
Unsung: Elijah Williams
Improved: Cole Schlotterbeck
 
Women's Indoor Track
MVP: Gifty Oku
Unsung: Benidicta Kwartemaa
Improved: Kyah La Fortune
 
Men's Outdoor Track
MVP: Solomon Hammond
Unsung: Alexander Dobson-Honablue
Improved: Sean Williams
 
Women's Outdoor Track
MVP: Benidicta Kwartemaa
Unsung: Gifty Oku
Improved: Danielle Wooten
 
Volleyball
MVP: TaKenya Stafford
Unsung: Andrea Serrano
Improved: Ivanna Luna