Bruins celebrate 2024-25 success at 51st Annual Awards Banquet

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University Athletic Department celebrated its most accomplished student-athletes on Wednesday evening at the 51st Annual Athletics Awards Banquet, hosted at the Beardmore Event Center at Courtyard by Marriott–Bellevue. The event recognized outstanding achievement in competition, in the classroom, and in support roles across the department, highlighted by the Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

2024-25 Bellevue University Athletics Award Winners

Male Athlete of the Year: Edwin Cisneros (Men's Soccer)

Female Athlete of the Year: Kealy Kiviniemi (Volleyball)

Male Academic Athlete of the Year: Parker McMan (Baseball)

Female Academic Athlete of the Year: Haley Fleischman (Volleyball)

Male Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year: Parker McMan (Baseball)

Female Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year: Eve Fountain (Volleyball)

Bruin Award: Sidney Sledge (Volleyball)

Athlete of the Year Awards

Edwin Cisneros (Men's Soccer), a junior midfielder from Omaha, Neb., was named the BU Male Athlete of the Year following a standout season. Cisneros was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Tournament, helping lead the Bruins to their fifth-straight CAC Tournament title. He appeared in all 22 matches, scoring 10 goals and adding five assists for 25 points, guiding Bellevue to a 16-3-3 overall record, a third NAIA National Quarterfinal appearance, and a final national ranking of No. 7.

Kealy Kiviniemi (Volleyball), a junior right-side hitter from Bellevue, Neb., earned BU Female Athlete of the Year honors after leading the Bruins to the most successful season in program history. Kiviniemi helped guide Bellevue to a National Runner-Up finish at the NAIA National Championship and a final No. 2 national ranking, both program bests. Individually, she was named a first-team NAIA and AVCA All-American, NSAA Player of the Year, NSAA Offensive Player of the Year, and AVCA North Central Region Player of the Year. She led the team and conference with 450 kills, averaging 3.36 kills per set with a .353 hitting percentage. Kiviniemi also contributed 71 total blocks, earned first-team all-NSAA honors for the second straight season, and was recognized as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, NSAA Scholar-Athlete, and second-team CSC Academic All-American. 

Noteworthy: Kealy's father, Don Kiviniemi, was the winning pitcher in Bellevue's 1995 National Championship game against Cumberland and was named the BU Athlete of the Year in 1995-96.

Academic Athlete of the Year Awards

Haley Fleischman (Volleyball), a senior middle blocker from Overton, Neb., was named BU Female Academic Athlete of the Year. Fleischman earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, first-team AVCA All-North Central Region, and first-team all-NSAA accolades. She recorded 171 kills and 79 blocks while hitting .341. Among her season highlights were a 12-kill performance on .706 hitting against Carroll and six blocks in the NAIA Opening Round win over Texas Wesleyan. She also earned Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, NSAA Scholar-Athlete, and CSC Academic All-District honors for the second year in a row.

Parker McMan (Baseball), a senior right-handed pitcher from Bozeman, Mont., received the BU Male Academic Athlete of the Year award. McMan was named to the first-team all-NSAA, the NSAA Gold Glove Team, and was recognized as the NSAA Pitcher of the Week on March 17. In the classroom, he is a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete and NSAA Scholar-Athlete. McMan has helped the Bruins capture both the NSAA regular season and tournament titles. Bellevue is currently ranked No. 17 and has secured its 14th-straight NAIA National Tournament berth. He compiled a 6-2 record on the mound with a team-leading 83 strikeouts and ranked No. 10 nationally with a 2.29 ERA. 

Strength and Conditioning Recognition

Parker McMan also earned recognition as the BU Male Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year, honored for his outstanding commitment to performance training and leadership in the weight room.

Eve Fountain (Volleyball) was selected as the BU Female Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year following another elite season on the court — and in the weight room. A model of consistency and work ethic, Fountain's dedication to the Bruins' strength program translated directly to her success on the national stage. The junior outside hitter earned first-team NAIA and AVCA All-American honors and was named first-team all-NSAA for the fourth time in her career. She also earned first-team AVCA All-North Central Region honors for the third time. Fountain led the team with 3.37 kills per set and posted 16 double-doubles, while finishing second with 437 kills and 449 digs (3.45 dpg). She earned NSAA Attacker of the Week twice and delivered a season-high 23 kills on .413 hitting with 16 digs in the NAIA National Championship match against Indiana Wesleyan.

Bruin Award

The Bruin Award was presented to senior volleyball standout Sidney Sledge, recognizing her extraordinary character, leadership, and resilience. Known for her empathy and quiet strength, Sidney brought her peers together and elevated student involvement across campus. On the court, she delivered a stellar finish to her career, hitting over .400 during the final month of the season and delivering the decisive kill that sent Bellevue to the NAIA National Championship match.

Her composure and determination during a time of personal grief inspired the entire Bruin community. The athletic department was especially moved that Sidney's mother, Debbie, was able to witness the final chapter of her incredible journey before her passing. Her father, Joe, was in attendance to see her honored for the impact she made not only as a player but as a pillar of the Bruin family. Sidney now begins her next chapter of service with the Omaha Fire Department, carrying forward the same strength, courage, and heart she displayed throughout her time at Bellevue. 

Bellevue University Athletics congratulates all award recipients and extends its gratitude to the student-athletes, coaches, and staff who contributed to a memorable and successful 2024-25 athletic season.