FRISCO, Texas – McNeese's Rylee Eyster and Lamar's Ethan Ellis have earned the 2026 Southland Steve McCarty Citizenship Awards, the conference office announced Friday. 
 
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.

Eyster and Ellis were chosen by the Southland Conference Awards Committee from a pool of nominees from across the league. 

Rylee Eyster, McNeese Softball
Eyster earns the McCarty citizenship award for the second year in a row, maintaining a positive impact in the McNeese softball locker room. She was the recipient of the Cowgirl Award, following another year of mentorship and leadership. Eyster is also heavily involved in McNeese's Fellowship of Christian Athletes group.

She totaled 218 hours of community service around Lake Charles, volunteering with multiple initiatives including Lake Charles Little League, Buddy Ball and other food and clothes drives for children. Eyster started in 22 of the Cowgirls' 46 games this season, contributing to McNeese's conference championship run. 

Ethan Ellis, Lamar Track & Field
Ellis has been actively engaged around campus and within the greater Beaumont Community in his time at Lamar. He has served as the student body president for the last two years, facilitating lower meal plan costs for students and reduced prices on textbooks and course materials. Ellis was also voted into the role of Chair of the Student Advisory Board of the Texas State University System. 

Ellis has also taken on responsibilities with the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute and the City of Beaumont Economic Development department. On the track this past season, Ellis was named to the Second Team All-Southland in the 4x400m and was an NCAA Regional Qualifier in the 400H, an achievement he has reached each of the last three seasons.