Emma Martin Earns Student-Athlete Academic Award at VSU

Emma Martin of Richfield, Utah, is the recipient of Valdosta State University’s 2023-2024 Division of Athletics Student-Athlete Academic Award. She is pictured with Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU; Herb Reinhard, director for the Division of Athletics; and Dr. Sheri Noviello, interim provost and vice president for the Division of Academic Affairs.

VALDOSTA — Emma Martin of Richfield, Utah, is the recipient of Valdosta State University’s 2023-2024 Division of Athletics Student-Athlete Academic Award.

Martin was recognized during VSU’s annual Academic Honors and Awards Dinner on April 25.

The Division of Athletics Student-Athlete Academic Award is presented to a junior, senior, or graduate student-athlete with the highest grade point average. Ties are not broken. Martin played shooting guard for Lady Blazer Basketball during her junior and senior years. 

“I have loved everything about my experience at VSU, and this award is just an added bonus,” she said. “Winning this award in a way validates all the time and energy and hard work that I have put into both my academic and athletic careers here at VSU.”

Martin graduated May 4 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Health Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Now she is focused on pursuing “a meaningful career that helps people and makes a difference in others’ lives.”

Highlights of Martin’s time as a student at VSU include the following:

- Winning the Gulf South Conference regular season title and the GSC tournament with the women’s basketball team.

- Hosting the NCAA women’s basketball South Region tournament at home and finishing the season in front of “our incredible” community.

- Leading the GSC and being fourth in the nation in three-point field goals with a field goal percentage of 44.

- Being named to the Academic All-Conference and Academic All-District teams.

- Receiving the Donnie McGahee Award as well as this Student-Athlete Academic Award.

Her supportive family includes husband Jared Martin, father Troy Jones, mother Sandy Jones, as well as her three sisters and their families.