FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University Athletics recently celebrated a year of exceptional achievement, leadership, and academic excellence at its Harlem Nights Awards Ceremony on April 23, 2026. The event, held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, recognized numerous student-athletes for their standout performances across the 2025–26 season, spanning sports from cross country and track and field to football, volleyball, basketball, and softball.
The ceremony highlighted a diverse group of talented individuals who demonstrated prowess both on and off the field. Among the top honorees, Faith Kiplimo received dual recognition for Women’s Cross Country and Women’s Indoor Track & Field, earning both Players’ Choice and MVP awards in the latter. In Men’s Cross Country, Romeo Kipkosgei and Dominic Malel were celebrated for their contributions.
Football players Jaden Butler and Demari Daniels were acknowledged, with Butler receiving the Players’ Choice award and Daniels named Football MVP. On the volleyball court, Giovanna Teixeira was recognized, while Symone Morris earned the Volleyball MVP title, and Sutton Dreier was honored as a Most Valuable Player.
Basketball saw several key players celebrated. Alivia Evans and Talia Trotter were both honored in Women’s Basketball, with Trotter notably receiving both the Players’ Choice and MVP awards. For Men’s Basketball, Ezekiel Cannedy was named Players’ Choice, and Brian Kiprop was recognized as Men’s MVP.
The ceremony also acknowledged excellence in outdoor track and field, with Ashley Bell and Mikalyn Chambers receiving awards. Treja Patterson was honored for her achievements in softball, rounding out the diverse array of sports and athletes celebrated during the evening. The Harlem Nights Awards Ceremony underscored Fayetteville State Athletics' commitment to recognizing the comprehensive success of its student-athletes.