Mairen Mannon named 2024-25 Lea Plarski Award Winner
Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced Mairen Mannon, volleyball student-athlete from Heartland Community College (IL), as the 2024-25 Lea Plarski Award winner.
Throughout her time as an NJCAA student-athlete, Mairen Mannon has proven that a student-athlete can excel both on and off the field while also serving the community. While a member of the Hawks program, Mannon served in several volunteer capacities with various organizations and events including the Miller Park Zoo Foundation, Special Olympics of Central Illinois, the school food program at Mossville Elementary School, and the Heartland Community College Child Development Lab Preschool program.
The Chillicothe, IL, native maintains a 3.53 GPA and will continue her education at Bradley University on a full-athletic scholarship, where she will continue her studies in Child Life Sciences.
Mannon, a middle hitter, was honored for her accomplishments on the court as the 2024 Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the 2024 NJCAA Region XXIV Player of the Year, and as a member of the 2024 NJCAA Division II First Team All-America.
“Mairen epitomizes the opportunities and impact Heartland CC and the NJCAA can directly have on lives,” said Ryan Knox, Director of Athletics at Heartland Community College. “She exemplifies student success, mission fulfillment and the spirit of the Lea Plarski Award. Mairen and her story should give all of us inspiration in what we are all capable of.”
“Mairen’s experience has been the epitome of what you hope for a young athlete; one that is deeply defined by a relentless work ethic, a pursuit of excellence among adversity and a consistent foundation of service to herself, along with those around her,” stated Mary Frahm, Head Volleyball Coach at Heartland Community College. “She simultaneously poured her soul into this athletic department, as well as her daughter, teammates, family and community through the duration of her career. From day one at Heartland, Mairen has been persistent in her goal of establishing herself as not only a remarkable mother, but also as a dominant athlete at the highest level as well as an important member in our community. She has done it with grace, humility and all while being a shining light of optimism to all she encounters. Coaching her has been the honor of my career so far, and she has not only made me a better leader to our team but a better mother to my own children. Her legacy is cemented at Heartland, in our program and in the hearts of each person she has crossed the last two years.”
Mannon will be honored during the NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards presented by Nufabrx, held on Tuesday, June 17, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place at 6:30 PM ET. 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 Class of 2025 for the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
To learn more regarding the NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards presented by Nufabrx, visit: NJCAA Hall of Fame and 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.
About NJCAA Foundation
Since 2018, the NJCAA Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, has funded scholarships, community programs, and national awards for the association's student-athletes, member colleges, and administrators.
The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service.