Co-Lin Athletics wins Halbrook Award for graduation rate

WESSON, Miss. - Copiah-Lincoln Community College won the David M. Halbrook Award for having the highest graduation rate for student-athletes among Mississippi's Community Colleges during the past academic year.

"Our student-athletes excel in the classroom and on the field," said Co-Lin Athletic Director Bryan Nobile. "At Co-Lin our faculty, staff and coaches make sure that our student-athletes have graduation first and foremost on their minds."

The Halbrook Award recognizes colleges and universities that maintain and achieve high academic standards for student-athletes, thus encouraging high graduation rates. The awards were established in 1984 as a result of House Concurrent Resolution No. 88. The awards program is made possible through endowments from Representative David M. Halbrook and his brothers, John C. and James G. Halbrook, all from Belzoni, Mississippi, and J.A. Halbrook of Beaumont, Texas. David Halbrook served in the Mississippi House of Representatives for 26 years until his retirement in 1996.

Co-Lin, which has more than 165 players in eight varsity sports, graduated 100 percent of its sophomore student-athletes in the 2018-2019 academic year to tie with East Mississippi in the community college division.

"We are honored to have received the Halbrook Award for the best graduation rate among the community colleges," said Co-Lin President Dr. Jane Hulon. "I applaud the efforts of our faculty and coaches who demand excellence on and off the field. And most importantly, congratulations to our student-athletes, who have put in the hours of studying and do the work."

Certificates are also awarded to individual student-athletes who graduated the previous year and who excelled in academics, leadership, and service. Swayze Bozeman and Harmoni Ashley received those honors for Co-Lin. Bozeman, a standout on the Wolf Pack football team, and Ashley, the designated player on the softball team, both graduated in May.

The award was presented during the 86th annual Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities (MAC) Conference held at Pearl River Community College.