The Fayetteville State Department of Athletics recently hosted an "All Black Affair” at the downtown Metropolitan Room to celebrate the 2024-25 achievements of its student-athletes. The celebration highlighted the four Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships won this year, along with impressive academic accomplishments and the upcoming end of the academic year. 

This fall, the department boasts a 3.33 overall GPA, with 12 programs achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher. A total of 150 student-athletes maintained a GPA of 3.0 or above, including 35 who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and 65 who achieved a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99.

Ericka Reed, a junior from Dayton, Ohio, was honored as the Female Athlete of the Year. Reed is a distinguished three-time all-conference performer and the 2024-25 CIAA Bowler of the Year, boasting the highest average among all bowlers at 190.67.

Tairell Fletcher, a senior from Fayetteville, NC, was named Male Athlete of the Year. Fletcher reached a significant milestone by scoring his 1000th point this season and was also recognized as the team’s Player's Choice. This year, Fletcher earned numerous accolades, including CIAA Player of the Week, CIAA All-Conference Back Court, CIAA Quarterfinal Game Food Lion MVP, NCAA Atlantic Region Team, HBCU All-Star Team, and HBCU All-Star MVP.

The women’s basketball program celebrated its first back-to-back CIAA Championship title. Keayna McLaughlin was honored as the Championship Game MVP, while Nyah Wilkins earned the Tournament MVP title.

Fayetteville State Cross Country continued its dominance by winning the women’s conference title for the seventh consecutive year. Head Coach Inez Turner was named the CIAA Coach of the Year for the women's program.

The indoor track and field team secured its fifth consecutive title this year. FSU women’s bowling claimed its third consecutive CIAA title. The volleyball team made a strong showing, reaching the CIAA championship under the leadership of first-year Head Coach Chynna Hunt. The men's golf team finished as the CIAA Championship Runner-Up. The men’s basketball team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Regional tournament and achieved the program's first-ever regional game win.

Softball will return to action on April 25th to compete against Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC.

The complete list of honorees is as follows:

Academic Awards - The academic excellence award goes to the student-athlete going above and beyond in the classroom with the highest GPA on the team. 

• WXC – Nia Gibson  
• MXC – Brian Kiptanui  
• T&F – Paige Simmons-Norris  
• FB – Caman Chaplin  
• VB – Tione Freeman  
• VB – Amihan Johnson  
• WBB – Alivia Evans  
• MBB – Gerardo Santiago  
• Cheer – Makayla Crawford  
• BWL – Janari Aiken  
• Golf – Sutton Drier  
• SB – Aniya Caldwell  
• SB – Zykayah Thomas

The Players' Choice Award is voted on by the players. The PC shows outstanding teammate qualities and represents FSU admirably on the field, around campus and in the community.

The Team's MVP is decided on by the head coach for a high level of success in competition.

Men & Women’s Cross Country 

• Women’s Players’ Choice - Brenda Cheboi
• Women’s MVP – Nia Gibson
• Men’s Players’ Choice – Nathan Kipyego
• Men’s MVP – Derrick Kipchumba

Football 

• Players’ Choice – Kameron King
• MVP – Kolby Merritt

Volleyball 

• Players’ Choice – Chiara Vittoni
• MVP – Chiara Vittoni

Women’s Basketball 

• Players’ Choice – Keayna McLaughlin
• MVP – Talia Trotter 

Men’s Basketball 

• Players’ Choice – Tairell Fletcher
• MVP - Caleb Simmons

Cheerleading 

• Players’ Choice – Mya Sanders
• MVP - Shiyanne Pendergrass

Bowling 

• Players’ Choice – Nariah Joyner
• MVP - Ericka Reed

Golf 

• Players’ Choice – Patricio Rameirez
• MVP - Juan Lopez

Softball 

• Players’ Choice – Cheyenne Payne
• MVP - Angelica Locklear

Indoor Track & Field

• Players’ Choice – Dominique Knowles
• MVP – Janya Moore

Outdoor Track & Field

• Players’ Choice – Holley Johnson
• MVP - Aaliyah Whyte