FRISCO, Texas – The Southland conference is proud to announce that McNeese softball student-athlete Whitney Tate and New Orleans baseball student-athlete Jorge Tejeda are the recipients of the 2023 Steve McCarty Citizenship Awards.
 
The McCarty award recognizes a male and female student-athlete who exhibit outstanding qualities in citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership and community service. The honor is named for the former Stephen F. Austin athletic director, who served at the school for 21 years, including 15 as athletic director. McCarty, an Alto, Texas, native, retired from SFA in 2005 and is a two-time graduate of the university. He is a member of the SFA Board of Regents and the SFA Alumni Association’s “Football Coaches Hall of Honor.” McCarty was inducted into the Southland Conference Hall of Honor in 2006.
 
Whitney Tate, McNeese Softball
Whitney Tate has been described as “the mother of the team” for McNeese Softball. Originally from Columbia, Louisiana, Tate has earned a 3.89 GPA in her degree in Biology, with a concentration in Pre-Medicine, and a minor in Chemistry. Tate is known for her “servant heart” and her “passion to be a shining light in other’s lives.” According to her nominator, Tate’s passionate and persevering nature means that teammates look up to her as an example to emulate. Her nominator described Tate as “respected not only among her teammates, but our administration and community alike.”
 
Tate was named the winner of the 2023 McNeese FCA Award, given to a student-athlete who upholds FCA’s values of integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence. Tate has also served on the McNeese FCA Servant Leadership Team, where her role included speaking at local high school, planning meetings, and being the link between FCA and the student-athlete body. In the greater Lake Charles community, Tate has volunteered her time in a plethora of ways, including assisting first year students with move-in, participating in Little League Softball camp nights, and organizing bingo nights at local nursing homes.
 
Tate had a stellar 2023 campaign, pitching an ERA of just 1.26 in over 166 innings pitched, and an 18-4 win-loss record. Her exceptional performances helped the Cowgirls break a school record for most wins in the season, win the Southland Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships, and reach the NCAA Regional Championship game.
 
Jorge Tejeda, New Orleans Baseball
Described by his nominator as “the epitome of what a successful student-athlete should look like,” Jorge Tejeda has completed over 150 hours of community service during his time at the University of New Orleans. Tejeda has been an active advocate for Down Syndrome awareness in the community, including volunteering at Buddy Walk, an event hosted by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans. Tejeda first became interested in Down Syndrome awareness after striking up a special friendship with Carden Stewart, daughter of former Privateers’ Assistant Coach Brett Stewart, who has Down Syndrome. Tejeda would always go out of his way to greet Carden, and include her in pre-game rituals, or practices, with a high five or a hug.
 
An electrical engineering major from Villa Clara, Cuba, Tejeda is beloved by teammates, coaches and support staff alike. His nominator states “he is the first one at the field, and the last one to leave; sacrificing his time to his teammates, coaches, and fellow student-athletes, all with a smile on his face.” He has also been known to tutor his own teammates for both their spanish and engineering classes, whilst maintaining his own 3.40 grade point average. Alongside all this, Tejeda has excelled on the baseball field, recently being named to the 2023 Southland Baseball Championship All-Tournament team. In the 2023 season, Jorge hit 9HRs, whilst batting .284, with an OPS of .991, en route to reaching the Southland Baseball Championship game.
 
Tate & Tejeda were chosen by the Southland Conference Awards Committee from a pool of nominees from across the league. Both were recognized in special pre-game ceremonies during the Southland Baseball Championship, where they were congratulated by Southland Conference Commissioner Chris Grant. Jorge and Whitney are stellar examples of what Southland student-athletes can be.