Brandt, Vyskocil Named 2020-21 Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor Award Winners
All-Time Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor Winners
INDIANAPOLIS – Cleveland State cross country and track & field’s Anna Brandt and Milwaukee baseball’s Joe Vyskocil have been named the 2020-21 Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor recipients.
The Coleman Medal of Honor, first awarded in 1981, is the Horizon League’s most prestigious individual honor. The award is presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes who demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
“Anna Brandt and Joe Vyskocil have excelled in competition and in the classroom throughout their collegiate careers and are terrific examples of the well-rounded student-athletes we aspire to develop in the Horizon League. We are proud to honor Anna and Joe with these prestigious awards,” stated Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach.
Anna Brandt is the third CSU student-athlete to earn a Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor, following Grace Luginbuhl in 2005-06 and Dmitri Ponomarev in 1998-99.
“I am truly honored to receive the Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor. Being a student-athlete at Cleveland State University was an incredible opportunity not only to compete at the Division I level in the sports I love, but also to discover and pursue my passion for exercise science,” said Brandt. “My experiences in athletics taught me how to be the best version of myself and persevere through any obstacle to accomplish my goals. My time as a Viking also taught me about the importance of a team and my school community. Stepping out on the course or the track meant representing myself, my teammates, Cleveland State, and the Horizon League. I know that my experience at CSU would not have been the same without my teammates, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to be a member of this amazing community. Finally, and most importantly, my success—academically and athletically—would not have been possible without the support from the athletic department, my coaches, professors, family, and friends. I would not be who, or where, I am today were it not for their guidance and care. Thank you again for this incredible honor.”
Academically, Brandt was named the 2021 Spring Valedictorian for the CSU College of Education & Human Services as she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in health sciences. Brandt earned the CSU Athletics President’s Award as the graduating student-athlete with the highest GPA and will continue her education at Ball State as part of the exercise physiology program.
As a member of the cross country and track & field teams, Brandt finished her career as the CSU record holder in the 5K and 6K cross country races and eight indoor/outdoor track & field events. Brandt earned Freshman of the Year and three All-League Team honors in cross country and was a four-time All-League honoree in track & field. Brandt was named a finalist for the 2019 Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year by the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards.
"I am extremely proud of Anna for receiving the Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor. Anna is everything that you want in a student athlete - she excels in the classroom, on the track, on the cross country course and as a leader on our team,” commented CSU cross country head coach Jason Hudson. “Anna's first concern is never herself, she is constantly focused on how she can make the experience of those around her better. Her dedication and compassion are unmatched, and she is truly one of the best student-athletes I have ever coached. So, it comes as no surprise that she is receiving this incredible recognition from the Horizon League."
Brandt served as a CSU Lead mentor in the department’s freshman mentoring program and participated annually in community service initiatives for the cross country and track & field teams and entire athletic department. Brandt also served as a team captain for the Vikings.
Joe Vyskocil is the 11
th Milwaukee student-athlete and the first since 2016-17 to earn a Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor.
“I am honored to receive this award as it has been a privilege to represent not only the Panthers but also the Horizon League,” Vyskocil said. “Being a Panther has left a lasting mark on my life and I truly cherish the opportunity I had to compete for Milwaukee.”
In the classroom, Vyskocil graduated Summa Cum Laude with Commencement Honors in May 2020, earning Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering. He is now working toward a Masters of Science. Vyskocil was a three-time Horizon League All-Academic Team honoree and earned League Honor Roll and College of Engineering & Applied Sciences Dean’s Honors every semester eligible.
On the field, Vyskocil earned All-League First Team and All-Tournament Team honors in 2019 and finished his career with a batting average of .274 and a .991 fielding percentage. The infielder totaled 134 hits, 20 doubles, 15 home runs, 79 RBIs and 68 runs. Vyskocil also served as a team captain for the Panthers.
“Joe has worked his tail off since day one on campus and has done nothing but achieve. He sets his goals high and goes for it. He is always willing to go the extra little bit it takes without being asked,” stated Milwaukee baseball head coach Scott Doffek.
Vyskocil was also involved in multiple community initiatives including the YMCA Miracle League, Special Olympics, Toys for Tots and Hope House Food Pantry. He also participated on the student-athlete advisory committee on campus.
Candidates for the Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor award must be seniors who have graduated or exhausted their eligibility and were participants in a Horizon League sponsored sport. Nominees must have a grade-point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 to be considered. Finalists for the Coleman Medal of Honor are below:
Cleveland State – Anna Brandt, cross country/track & field and Nico Mostardi, men’s tennis
Detroit Mercy – Kyri Jackson, track & field
Green Bay – Anna Liu, swimming & diving and Ben Gilles, men’s golf
IUPUI – Kamryn Benscoter, women’s soccer and Ethan Mardanus-Budiono, men’s tennis
Milwaukee – Kyra Arendt, track & field and Joe Vyskocil, baseball
Northern Kentucky – Kayla Thompson, track & field and Felipe Hidalgo, men’s tennis
Oakland – Autumn Kissman, women’s basketball & Dan Rutan, baseball
Purdue Fort Wayne – Lorah Pund, women’s soccer
RMU – Mirna Sirjanovic, volleyball and Kyle Grube, men’s golf
UIC – Kayla Wedl, softball and Jacob Graiber, men’s soccer
Youngstown State – Katlyn Shutt, women’s golf and Collin Floyd, baseball