BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings athletic department celebrated its 12^th annual Buzzie awards Monday night, celebrating and recognizing the accomplishments of Yellowjacket teams and athletes throughout the 2023-24 academic year.
 
MSUB women's basketball was chosen as the Team of the Year, winning the honor for the third consecutive season after finishing the 2023-24 season with a 28-7 overall record, setting a new program best for wins in a season, while earning the program's first GNAC regular season title since 2013-2014, and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA DII National Tournament.
 
From women's basketball, Kola Bad Bear was voted the Female Athlete of the Year, in addition to earning Women's Basketball Player of the Year. Bad Bear was recognized after racking up numerous awards throughout the seasons, including GNAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, selection to the All-GNAC, All-West Region, and All-America First Team honors.
 
Meanwhile, Jalen Tot earned the MSUB Male Athlete of the Year as well as Men's Basketball Player of the Year, becoming the second men's basketball player in history to earn the award. Tot was recognized after earning West-Region Player of the Year and GNAC Player of the Year honors, while also earning All-GNAC and All-Region First Team Honors.
 
Men's basketball head coach Luke Fennelly was named the MSUB Coach of the Year, following a stellar first season in charge of the program. Fennelly was honored after guiding the Yellowjackets to a 20-10 overall record and the team's first ever GNAC regular season title, earning himself GNAC Coach of the Year and West Region Coach of the Year awards.
 
Daniel Moody was chosen as the MSUB Newcomer of the Year after an impressive first season with the men's basketball program. Moody averaged 14.1 points and 8.3 rebounds this season, earning First Team All-GNAC and GNAC Newcomer of the Year honors. The senior became the first men's basketball player to be selected as Newcomer of the Year.
 
Julia Gordon earned the Buzzie for MSUB Freshman of the Year after a stellar year of competition for both the Yellowjacket volleyball and track and field programs. Gordon was the team leader in kills with 187 for volleyball this season, while her high jump mark as a freshman already ranks fourth in MSUB track and field history.
 
Dyauni Boyce was selected as the MSUB Breakout Player of the Year, after elevating her play in her junior season. Boyce averaged 14.7 points and 5.6 rebounds on the year, earning All-GNAC second team honors and All-Tournament Team honors at the west regional tournament.
 
Zharon Richmond was chosen as the MSUB Comeback Player of the Year, returning to play this season for the first time since the 2019-20 season to average 14.1 points per game and 5.2 rebounds, while earning All-GNAC Honorable Mention honors. Richmond becomes the second men's basketball player in the program's history to receive Newcomer of the Year.
 
Meanwhile, Shayla Montague received the MSUB Career Achievement Award, following the conclusion of an excellent career for MSUB women's basketball, where she tied for the second most games played in the program's history with 125. Montague concludes her career with 984 career points, including 238 made three pointers, the second most in program history.
 
Yellowjacket softball player Jazlyn Kalehuawehe was chosen as the MSUB Fan of the Year for her outstanding support of all of MSUB's athletic programs, while women's track and field athlete Annelise Sexson earned the Buzzie for Scholar Athlete of the Year, recognizing the top GPA of graduating student-athletes in the department. Communications and Operations Intern Lindsey Knight received the Yellowjacket Award for Service, in appreciation of her valuable contributions throughout the athletic department in the 2023-24 academic year.
 
The Buzzies were founded during the 2012-13 academic year, and are presented annually to recognize the best individual and team achievements across the entirety of MSUB athletics. A complete listing of the 2024 Buzzie award winners is listed below, while a complete listing of the Buzzie's all-time winners can be found online here.
 
Female Athlete of the Year
Kola Bad Bear, Women's Basketball
 
Male Athlete of the Year
Jalen Tot, Men's Basketball
 
Coach of the Year
Luke Fennelly, Women's Basketball
 
Team of the Year
Women's Basketball
 
Yellowjacket Award for Service
Lindsey Knight, Communications and Operations Intern
 
Male Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Award
Roddy Lewis, Men's Soccer
 
Female Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Award
Jazlyn Kalehuawehe, Softball
 
Scholar Athlete of the Year
Annelise Sexson, Women's Track and Field
 
Fan of the Year
Jazlyn Kalehuawehe, Softball
 
Career Achievement Award
Shayla Montague, Women's Basketball
 
Freshman of the Year
Julia Gordon, Volleyball/Women's Track & Field
 
Newcomer of the Year
Daniel Moody, Men's Basketball
 
Breakout Player of the Year
Dyauni Boyce, Women's Basketball
 
Comeback Player of the Year
Zharon Richmond, Men's Basketball
 
Student Support Staff Worker of the Year
Haley Jensen
 
Game/Event of the Year
Women's Basketball – Defeated No. 1-Seed Azusa Pacific to advance to the Sweet 16
 
Moment/Play of the Year
Men's Basketball – Clinches program's first GNAC regular season title with win over Alaska Fairbanks
 
Baseball Player of the Year
Zack Blaszak
 
Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Jalen Tot
 
Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year
Andrew Rush
 
Men's Golf Player of the Year
Liam O'Halloran
 
Men's Soccer Player of the Year
Kolja Thomas
 
Men's Track & Field Athlete of the Year
Ryan Fenley
 
Softball Player of the Year
Teagan Seeton
 
Volleyball Player of the Year
Christine Funk
 
Women's Basketball Player of the Year
Kola Bad Bear
 
Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year
Carey Berendsen
 
Women's Golf Player of the Year
Hannah Adams
 
Women's Soccer Player of the Year
Liberty Palmer
 
Women's Track & Field Athlete of the Year
Hannah Cooper
 
Women's Triathlon Athlete of the Year
Alahna Lien