CORVALLIS, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University’s Darby McDevitt and Carroll College’s William Dominguez were named the 2023-24 Cascade Collegiate Conference Champions of Character of the Year, as announced by the conference office.
The annual award recognizes one male and one female athlete who represent the five aspects of the Champions of Character – Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership. The award is voted on by the conference athletic directors based on nominations from member schools.
McDevitt, a senior from Rathdrum, Idaho, has played a pivotal role in the Mounties soccer program and has made a tremendous impact on the Eastern Oregon community. She is a three-time CCC Academic All-Conference honoree and a two-time NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete. She has taken on an internship in EOU’s Human Performance Department, and this year helped put on one of the biggest events on campus, the Stress Less Event. The event includes many different community members and businesses with several different activities for students to engage in. Darby was in charge of several important aspects including soliciting businesses for raffle prizes, organizing volunteers, and coordinating food. She also assisted in EOU’s Walk for LIFE program. The event is a time for everyone to enjoy exercising while interacting with students, athletes, community members, faculty, and staff. On the field she is an All-CCC team member. Darby has grown into a true leader who is constantly working to improve herself, teammates, and will not stop until she reaches her goals.
“Darby is one of the hardest working people I have ever met which can be seen through her success on and off the field. She has the unique quality of uplifting everyone around her, making them better in the process while also being extremely kind,” stated Eastern Oregon’s head women's soccer coach, Josh Goodman.
Other Female Nominees: Bushnell University’s Mayah Pappas, Carroll College’s Kaitlynn Ayers, College of Idaho’s Hallie Holland, Corban University’s Jessica McMillian, Lewis-Clark State College’s Maddie Holm, Multnomah’s DeAsia Wosachlo, Northwest University’s Montse Youngsman, Southern Oregon University’s Clara Robbins
Dominguez, a junior from Mattawa, Wash., is a first-generation college student who has faced many challenges and worked very hard to achieve his success. He is always focused on leading by example for his teammates and family. While being a full-time student, he spends a lot of his time working with disabled youth. He also recently created a food business which he operates on the weekends at the Carroll campus which just received a grant to help with expansion. William is described as a hardworking, innovative, entrepreneur. He is also a high achieving role model who leads by example for his community by setting a quality standard of excellence. His devotion to faith has connected his team of all different places and cultures which is another way he practices his leadership skills.
“There is no more deserving young man to receive this award than William. He is special and I have learned more about life through his perseverance and desires,” stated Carroll’s head men's soccer coach, Austin Shick.
Other Male Nominees: Bushnell University’s Kyle Casperson, College of Idaho’s Tyler Harris, Corban University’s Markus Johnson, Eastern Oregon University’s Preston Chandler, Lewis-Clark State College’s Cameron Smith, Multnomah’s Tyress Taylor, Oregon Tech’s Andrew Pasang