The Master's University beach volleyball senior
Zoe Yates was nominated for the NAIA A.O. Duer Scholarship Award on Monday. TMU athletics took home two other awards, including
Dave Caldwell winning Sports Information Director of the Year and Jim Rickard taking home Athletic Director of the Year.
Yates and Caldwell are now up for national recognition based off their conference selections.
Yates, who was a member of TMU's No. 1 pair, played an integral role in the Lady Mustangs' GSAC championship team and their run to the NAIA quarterfinals.
"Zoe's impact on the team is multifaceted. She's an amazing athlete, and caring teammate who leads as a captain with integrity. Other teams respect her, and her light to Christ is undeniable," TMU Head Coach Annet Davis said, "She is a 4.0 student, that is not only an athlete but also a musician. She's pretty amazing. We are so proud that she is a Sandy Stang; this honor is well deserved."
The A.O. Duer Scholarship Award is given to one male and one female recipient each year and is based on scholarship, character, citizenship, and playing ability. The recipient must be an academic junior who has maintained a 3.75 GPA as well.
Caldwell took home his third Sports Information Director of the Year Award in a row in just his fourth year as SID. He also serves as head play-by-play commentator for TMU's broadcast.
"We're very excited for Dave to get another SID of the Year Award," Rickard said. "He's such an important part of this department and he's a tireless worker. He puts out great articles along with smooth commentary and we're grateful to have him at TMU."
Caldwell will continue on in the booth for his 16th year as the voice of the Mustangs as one of the area's top commentators.
Rickard, in his second year as TMU's athletic director, was recognized as the conference's top administrator. He led the Mustangs to their third straight GSAC All-Sports Award as the top athletic school in the conference. In the 2025-26 season, TMU squads took home six GSAC titles and five runner-up finishes, with several national qualifiers.
Rickard enters his 36th year as the head coach of the Mustang men's soccer team.
