ELIZABETH CANADY OF CENTENARY COLLEGE, a junior middle blocker on the women's volleyball team from League City, Texas, has been selected the SCAC Character & Community Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning October 30.
https://www.scacsports.com/awardsHonors/character_community/2023-2024/athletes_of_the_week/week_4_female
The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.
To know Elizabeth Canady is to love Elizabeth Canady.
A model student-athlete, teammate, and friend – she is all three and more.
"Elizabeth Canady is a shining example of a student-athlete and we are so lucky to have her here at Centenary," said her head coach Ashley McDonough.
Elizabeth is truly a prime example of what a student-athlete should be on and off the court. She is a fierce competitor on the court for the Ladies and her passion shows off the court too. Oh and the League City, Texas native is an accomplished player as well as she has tallied 465 kills, 120 digs, and 102 total blocks so far in her Ladies' career.
"During my time here at Centenary I have been involved in a few different community service projects like coaching at local junior high and high schools with our volleyball team, student teaching at local elementary schools, and even going overseas to St. Kitts and Nevis and doing volleyball clinics with the students at an elementary school," said Canady.
"The game of volleyball has given me so much and it was not until this past summer that I realized that."
"I have been given two opportunities to go overseas - the first time was in Paris, France before my freshman year and the second time was in St. Kitts last May. While in St. Kitts, we got to go to an elementary school and do a clinic with the students and teach them the basic skills of the game. Seeing those students' faces light up when we were teaching them melted my heart. They did not have nearly as many of the resources that we have here, and it opened my eyes to how blessed I truly am to get to play this game and where it has led me. It has given me a support system to lean on when times are hard, how to work with others in different situations, and has helped me realize what I am called to do. Being a student and especially as an education major, I see things differently than I did before."
"Elizabeth is presently dual enrolled in the masters of teaching program as a junior and will start student teaching in the spring just before her senior undergrad," said McDonough. "She not only helped start a special-needs ministry back home at her church, but she also was one of the founding students who started the Special Olympics club at Centenary College. She leads weekly fellowship Bible studies with willing and open athletes on the volleyball team and consistently worked hard every day to model Christ's love for all people."
"To be chosen for the SCAC Character & Community Award is such a huge honor," continued Canady. "From an early age I was taught to be the light for others because you never know what someone else is going through and how much you can make a difference in their life. This is something I have always tried to keep at the forefront of my heart and since I am always on the go I did not realize how noticeable it has been, but I am truly honored that I am making a positive impact on my community around me and can continue to do so."
