Surry Community College’s Elijah Palmer to receive 2025-26 Lea Plarski Award

Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has named Surry Community College (NC) baseball standout, Elijah Palmer, the recipient of the 2026 Lea Plarski Award and will honor him during the NJCAA Foundation Hall of Fame Awards on June 18, 2026.

The Lea Plarski Award is presented annually to an NJCAA student-athlete who exemplifies excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and community service throughout his or her two-year college experience.

Palmer leaves Surry Community College as one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history after a remarkable career on the field, in the classroom and throughout the community.

He is a native of Woodleaf, North Carolina and earned NJCAA Division III Baseball All-America Second Team honors during the 2025 season after helping lead Surry to the NJCAA Region 10 Championship, Mid-Atlantic District Championship, and an appearance in the NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series, where the Knights finished fifth nationally.

Palmer had success offensively and also established himself as one of the nation's premier defensive players as the standout centerfielder posted a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage with 108 putouts and four assists.

At the plate, Palmer finished the 2025 campaign with a .428 batting average, 68 hits, 62 RBI, 50 runs scored, 23 doubles and a .522 on-base percentage, while ranking among the national leaders offensively.

"Through sustained academic success, selfless community engagement, and exemplary leadership as a student-athlete, Elijah has made a lasting and meaningful impact on Surry Community College and the broader community we serve, fully reflecting the spirit and purpose of this distinguished award," Surry Community College President, Dr. David Shockley, said.

Dr. Melissa Recknor, Associate Dean of Student Services, added that, "He took ownership of his education in a way that not every student, let along student-athlete, does, and it showed in everything he accomplished. That same drive carried over to the field."

Palmer's impact extended well beyond baseball. In the classroom, he graduated from Surry Community College with honors while earning a 3.603 GPA and multiple NJCAA and Region 10 academic recognitions.

His commitment to service also distinguished him throughout his collegiate career. Palmer volunteered with the Surry County Sheriff's "Give a Kid a Christmas" Campaign, Surry County Special Olympics, Read Across America Day, youth baseball programs, local elementary schools, church outreach initiatives, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes activities.

"Elijah made a lasting impact on the community through his volunteer service and willingness to share his time and experiences, Surry Community College Athletic Director, Mark Tucker, said.

Palmer will continue both his academic and athletic career at St. Bonaventure University on academic and athletic scholarship at the NCAA Division I level.

NJCAA Athletic Accomplishments

• 2025 NJCAA Division III All-America (Second Team)
• 2025 ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award
• 2025 NJCAA Region 10 Division III Player of the Year
• 2025 NJCAA Region 10 All-Region First Team
• 2025 NJCAA Region 10 All-Tournament Team
• 2025 NJCAA Region 10 All-Defensive Team
• 2025 NJCAA Division III World Series (5th place)
• 2025 Mid-Atlantic District Champions
• 2025 NJCAA Region 10 Champions
• 2025 Surry Baseball Team Captain
• 2024 NJCAA Region 10 All-Defensive Team
• 2024 NJCAA Region 10 Regular Season Champions
• Athletic Scholarship - St. Bonaventure University (NCAA Division I)
• 2024-2025 NJCAA All-Academic (Second Team)
• 2024-2025 NJCAA All-Academic Team Member (Baseball)
• 2023-2024 NJCAA All-Academic Team Member (Baseball)
• 2025 NJCAA Region 10 All-Academic
• 2024 NJCAA Region 10 All-Academic

Palmer will be honored during the NJCAA Foundation Hall of Fame Awards on Thursday, June 18 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place at 6:30p.m. The event will recognize the NJCAA Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year, the Lea Plarski Award winner, the Champion Award winners, and the Difference Maker Award winner, in addition to the 2026 class of the NJCAA Hall of Fame.

To learn more regarding the NJCAA Foundation Hall of Fame Awards, visit: NJCAA Foundation Awards

To learn more about past Lea Plarski Award recipients, visit: 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".