Charlotte, NC – Parkland's (IL) Abigail Burnett has been named the 2019-20 Lea Plarski Award winner, given annually to the NJCAA student-athlete who best exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, community service, academic excellence, and athletic ability.
During two years as a member of Parkland's volleyball team, Burnett excelled on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. "Abi has been an absolute treasure to have on this team the last two years. She has given so much to the team, Parkland, and the community as a whole," expressed Parkland Volleyball head coach Cliff Hastings. "She has led her volunteer and community service projects with grace and kindness. Abi has organized and mobilized us to do great things."
"I'm just so thankful to have been nominated for the Lea Plarski Award in the first place," said Burnett. "I'm just humbled knowing there are so many amazing people in the NJCAA community so I'm very thankful."
The St. Joseph, IL native started 56 matches for the Cobras in 2019. During her sophomore campaign, the right side hitter produced 443 kills, a .396 hitting percentage, and 124 blocks. Burnett's hitting percentage ranked eighth in the country while landing in the top-30 in five major stat categories. In addition to impressive individual statistics, Burnett garnered prestigious postseason honors including NJCAA Division II First Team All-America and AVCA Two-Year College Third Team All-America.
In each of Burnett's seasons, the Cobras squad reached the notable 50-win milestone and earned national tournament runner-up honors.
Burnett's dedicated mentality on the court carried over into the classroom as well. Throughout the 2019 season, Parkland competed in 60 matches, 23 of which required travel outside of Illinois. Despite the demanding schedule, Burnett maintained a 3.5 cumulative GPA and was admitted into Parkland's Radiology program.
Aside from success on the court and in the classroom, Burnett was most influential as a leader amongst her peers. Each year, sophomore members of Parkland's volleyball team are tasked with various leadership positions. Under Burnett's direction, the Cobras completed various community service projects and events, including facilitating volleyball practices and scrimmages with the Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation (CUSR). The CUSR is a recreation and leisure services program for residents of all ages with disabilities. During the events, Burnett's natural leadership was evident as she connected with the CUSR athletes through kind encouragement and set a strong example for her Parkland teammates.
In addition to her enthusiasm leading the team while giving back to the community, Burnett played an important role on the Parkland Volleyball team as a mentor to a teammate that was diagnosed with autism. Burnett's kind demeanor, mixed with a competitive fire on the court, were the perfect traits to guide right side hitter Reanne Allen during her freshman season. Burnett helped Allen through new drills, challenging situations, and the overall adjustment to life as a collegiate student-athlete.
Hastings discussed Burnett's connection with Allen. "In Parkland Volleyball, we expect the sophomores to lead their freshman position-mates through drills and teach them both physical and mental parts of the game. Abi has been an outstanding leader to the entire team, but especially with Reanne, guiding her with patience while also having high expectations. Abi pushed Raeanne to be the best player she can be while always keeping her autism in mind and learning how to communicate, connect, and gain trust from Raeanne throughout the entirety of the season."
When asked about Burnett, Allen stated, "Abi means so much to me because she was the leader I needed my freshman year to teach me how to block and play defense. More importantly, she taught me how to balance my high expectations for myself while being patient with learning how to get better. I could always ask Abi questions and she was always kind to me. She works so hard on her own but she always took the time to help me be the best I could be as well."
Burnett will continue her academic career in Parkland's Radiology program during the fall 2020 semester. "Parkland as whole offered so many different things for me," Burnett expressed. "I loved the community, I loved the coaches, I love what they stood for. Academics were a big part along with community service and making sure that was incorporated into their program really drew me into it."
Burnett becomes the first Parkland student-athlete to earn the Plarski Award and is the first volleyball player to garner the honor since Theresa Berry of Bevill State-Fayette (AL) in 2003-04.
PAST LEA PLARSKI AWARD WINNERS
About the Lea Plarski Award
The NJCAA's Lea Plarski Award is handed out annually in the name of former NJCAA President Lea Plarski as recognition of her tremendous service to the NJCAA and two-year college athletics. The former director of athletics at St. Louis Community College/Florissant Valley, Plarski helped to establish the Women's Division of the NJCAA in 1975. She served as Vice-President for Women from 1975-1990 when she made NJCAA history as the first female ever elected to the office of President, a position she held from 1990-1996. In honor of her numerous accomplishments, as well as her undeniable dedication to the student-athlete, the NJCAA Lea Plarski Award was created. Since 1995, the award has been presented to an NJCAA student-athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, community service, academic excellence, athletic ability and achievements – qualities that were the cornerstones of the Plarski "era".