IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the winners of the 2026 Leadership and Engagement Committee awards.
In 2023, the Leadership and Engagement Committee (formerly the Inclusion Excellence Committee) created awards to recognize the contributions of student-athletes, staff and other individuals related to the institution.
The Commissioner’s Annual Trailblazer Award is given to an individual that has a history of leadership behavior, who have committed time, service and energy to embrace and uphold the tenets of unity in their everyday lives, and/or who have made innovative changes that positively affected athletics initiatives.
The Unity Awards are named after Marlon Dechausay, the senior associate athletic director for student-athlete welfare at Memphis, who tragically passed away in December 2024. In a 20-year career spanning seven institutions, including Memphis and Florida Atlantic, Dechausay was instrumental in helping student-athletes achieve success in the competitive arena, in the classroom and in the community. Dechausay’s work on the American’s then-Inclusion Excellence and Student-Athlete Advisory committees helped countless student-athletes enjoy a more meaningful and rewarding experience, and he was the inaugural staff recipient of Unity staff award for his contributions to unity and inclusion across the conference.
The Marlon Dechausay Unity Awards are given to one current student-athlete as well as one current institutional staff member. Nominees should exemplify Marlon’s passion, integrity and dedication to leadership in collegiate athletics. The award recognizes individuals who create meaningful opportunities, uplift those around them, and champion the growth and success of both student-athletes and staff.
The winner of this year’s Commissioner’s Trailblazer Award is Wanna Hadnott of Rice. A pioneering figure in Rice Athletics, Hadnott became the university’s first African American student-athlete—male or female—to earn a tennis scholarship, redefining access and representation while excelling as a four-year letterwinner and standout student. Her influence extended well beyond competition, as she later became the first woman and first African American President of the R Association, playing a key leadership role in the “Save Rice Athletics” initiative that helped preserve Division I competition at the university. A dedicated mentor and advocate, Hadnott continues to serve Rice through multiple advisory and leadership roles with the Women’s Athletics Advisory Board, Owl Club and Rice Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, while remaining active in the Houston community, cementing her legacy as a transformational figure whose contributions have shaped both the institution and those who follow in her footsteps.
The winner of the Marlon Dechausay Unity Award for a Staff Member is Jana Woodson, the Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations at Tulane. Woodson has made a profound impact on the university’s athletics department through her leadership, service, and commitment to student-athlete success. Overseeing key external units—including development, marketing, ticketing, communications, creative services, broadcasting, and the Learfield partnership—Woodson plays a vital role in enhancing the department’s visibility, engagement, and overall brand while managing intellectual property and licensing efforts that protect and elevate the institution. She also provides direct administrative oversight for multiple varsity programs, serving as a visible and trusted resource for student-athletes. Beyond her operational responsibilities, Woodson is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering environment, contributing to the development of Tulane Athletics Strategy for Tomorrow 5-year strategic plan and supporting initiatives like the Athletics Justice For All Committee. Her dedication to collaboration, leadership development, and creating a welcoming, family-oriented culture has significantly enriched the experience of both student-athletes and staff, making her an invaluable leader within Tulane Athletics.
The winner of the Marlon Dechausay Unity Award for a Student-Athlete is Riley Simmons, a women’s track & field athlete at Memphis. Inspired by her close relationship with Marlon, Simmons has embraced a mission of bringing people together, demonstrated by her rapid rise within the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and her role as SAAC President for the 2025–26 academic year, along with active involvement in FCA. Committed to creating a sense of belonging, she has extended her influence beyond athletics through more than 110 hours of community service and regular engagement with the Bartlett High School girls basketball team. Simmons’ leadership was highlighted by her creation of “Revival Night,” a student-athlete-led event that united individuals from diverse backgrounds through music and personal stories while raising $10,000 to fully fund the initiative. Her passion for service, connection, and inclusive leadership embodies the spirit of the award and reflects a legacy of meaningful impact across campus and the Memphis community.
Institutional Nominees for the Marlon Dechausay Unity Awards
Student-Athlete
Jabril D. Williams – Football, Army
Kendall Bensen –Swimming & Diving, East Carolina
Joy Graziano –Swimming & Diving, North Texas
Lademi Ogunlana – Volleyball, Rice
Terren Peterson – Track & Field, South Florida
Alyssa Dismuke – Track & Field, Tulane
Remington Martin – Track & Field, Tulsa
Abigail Rexford – Track & Field, Wichita State
Breyon White – Women’s Basketball, Wichita State
Staff
Kelsey Sphar – Associate Athletic Director – Fan Engagement/Marketing, UAB
Tricia Brandenburg – Deputy Athletic Director Chief Leadership Officer & SWA, Army
Haley Prewett – Executive Associate Athletic Director, CFO, Memphis
Tori Clark –Assistant Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development, North Texas
Scott Abell – Head Football Coach, Rice
Lee Butler – Senior Associate Athletic Director/Student-Athlete Success, South Florida
American Conference Leadership and Engagement Committee Award History
Commissioner’s Trailblazer Award
2026 – Wanna Hadnott, Rice
2025 – Carolyn Barber-Pierre, Tulane
2024 – Tina Sloan Green, Temple
2023 – Dr. Richard E. Lapchick, UCF
Marlon Dechausay Unity Award – Student-Athlete
2026 – Riley Simmons – Memphis Women’s Track & Field
2025 – Janae Dean – Tulane Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country
2024 – Michael Bourne III – South Florida, Men’s Track and Field
2023 – Charessa Crosse – Temple Women’s Lacrosse
Marlon Dechausay Unity Award – Staff Member
2026 – Jana Woodson, Tulane
2025 – Dr. Ed Scott, Memphis
2024 – Dr. Kevin Sneed, South Florida
2023 – Marlon Dechausay, Memphis