Towson's Jeter Selected as 2019 John Randolph Inspiration Award Winner
RICHMOND, Va. (July 11, 2019) – Towson University redshirt junior women’s basketball student-athlete Kionna Jeter has been selected as the winner of the 2019 John Randolph Inspiration Award winner by the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
The award recognizes individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.
“Kionna’s drive and spirit to overcome the mental anguish of an awful experience, the physical effects of a serious injury and to lead the Towson women’s basketball team to unprecedented success on the court was nothing short of amazing,” said CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio. “The John Randolph Award recognizes individuals who represent courage and the immeasurable strength of the human spirit. Kionna’s incredible perseverance, positive attitude and overall accomplishments make her a very worthy recipient of this award.”
Jeter joined the Tigers in July 2018 after playing her freshman season at Gulf Coast State in Panama City, Fla. During her year at Gulf Coast State, the Spartanburg, S.C. native returned home for a funeral. While outside her home with family on February 3, 2018, Jeter was shot twice in the back in a drive-by shooting. One bullet nearly hit her heart, while the other fractured her shoulder blade. Jeter was unsure if she would survive the attack, much less play basketball again.
After months of rehab, Jeter returned to the court and led Towson to a historic 2018-19 season. The Tigers captured their first CAA Championship in program history, earning the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament bid.
“Kionna showed her leadership on and off the court while battling countless hours of therapy and rehab for her shoulder throughout the season,” said head coach Diane Richardson. “She worked very hard to be present on the court contributing with her teammates. We didn't realize how much the shooting affected her until we played West Virginia. West Virginia starts each game with a shot out of a musket. The surprised sound of the gunshot triggered the accident all over again and she was visibly upset. The fear in her eyes was indescribable. Kionna knew that this was a big game for us against a Big 12 team. She silently went to the locker room, dried her tears and came back to play.”
Jeter was named a First-Team All-CAA honoree after leading the CAA in both points (572) and steals per game (2.7). She was also named to the CAA All-Defensive Team and CAA All-Tournament team. Jeter’s 572 points is the most by a Towson player in a single season in program history.
Jeter was one of four finalists for the Honda Inspiration Award and her story was featured on CBS Sports Network leading up to the announcement of the award.
| Randolph Award Recipients |
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| 2019 |
Kionna Jeter |
Towson |
|
2005 |
Julia Shapiro |
Delaware |
| 2018 |
Trai Sharp |
James Madison |
|
2004 |
Beth Childs |
Drexel |
| 2017 |
Kathryn Ostrom |
UNCW |
|
|
Alan Lindsey |
James Madison |
| 2016 |
Nicole Dennion |
Elon |
|
|
Brannon Thomas |
William & Mary |
| 2015 |
Dr. Maravene Loeschke |
Towson |
|
2003 |
Ricky Beecher |
Towson |
| 2014 |
Heather Hartman |
Delaware |
|
2002 |
Paul Tuohey |
Drexel |
| 2013 |
Nick Colleluori |
Hofstra |
|
2001 |
Mandy Welch |
Delaware |
|
UNCW Women's Soccer |
|
|
2000 |
Laura Kenney & Liz Paoli |
George Mason |
| 2012 |
Shelia Moorman |
James Madison |
|
1999 |
Maria-Elena Calle |
VCU |
| 2011 |
Steven Vincent |
Delaware |
|
1998 |
Felicia Allen |
Old Dominion |
| 2010 |
Dawn Evans |
James Madison |
|
1997 |
Scott Pearson |
American |
| 2009 |
Meghan Bain |
James Madison |
|
1996 |
Barbara Blosser |
William & Mary |
| 2008 |
T.J. Carter |
UNCW |
|
|
John Welbourn |
East Carolina |
| 2007 |
Nicole Hester |
Drexel |
|
|
|
|
| 2006 |
Kevin DuPrey |
Delaware |
|
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