NMSU’s Jones Earns WAC Stan Bates Award

New Mexico State University softball student-athlete Kandis Jones has been named the female 2010-11 Western Athletic Conference Stan Bates Award winner. Named in honor of former WAC Commissioner Stan Bates, the annual award is given to the WAC?s top male and female scholar-athletes and recognizes the recipients? athletic, academic and community accomplishments. The awards include a $2,000 postgraduate scholarship.

Jones, a native of La Mirada, California, earned a degree in Community Health in May and graduated with the highest GPA for the major with a 3.894. She is a four-time Academic All-WAC honoree and also a 2011 first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American. The Faculty Athletic Council at New Mexico State University recognized Jones as the outstanding female scholar-athlete for 2011.

In competition, Jones broke numerous career and single season records during her time at New Mexico State. She is the all-time record holder in runs scored with 175 and hits with 82 in a season and 260 in her career. In 2011, Jones was the honored with the National Strength and Conditioning All-American Award.

In addition to her stellar academics, Jones has volunteered with many children?s after-school programs and the United Blood Services Blood Drive. For the past three years she has been involved with the ?Dress a Child? organization where she helps young children in need select clothing. Jones also volunteers with softball camps to help younger players learn the game and improve their skills.

?We have a philosophy in Aggie Softball that we will ?be the change we want to see on campus?,? said Aggie Softball coach, Kathy Rodolph. ?Kandis Jones embraced that philosophy, lived it and encouraged others to do the same on campus. Our campus, our community and our program are in a far better place now with the commitment and leadership of Kandis Jones.?

Source: NMSU Athletics