2022-23 RRAC Etier Awards

2022-23 RRAC ETIER CHARACTER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
KAREEMAH MUHAMMAD, XAVIER
SETH ALEXNADER, XAVIER

WACO, Texas - The Red River Athletic Conference named Kareemah Muhammad of Xavier University (La.) and Xavier's Seth Alexander as the 2022-23 RRAC Etier Character Athletes of the Year.

Now in its seventh year, the award is given annually to one male and one female RRAC student-athlete who best represent the tenets of the NAIA Champions of Character program (respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and servant leadership). To be eligible, student-athletes must be nominated by their respective RRAC member institution. Schools are allowed to nominate one male and one female student-athlete. All nominees were considered finalists, and the winners were selected in voting by the RRAC Champions of Character Committee.

The awards were posthumously named for Betty Etier, an NAIA/RRAC Hall of Famer, RRAC Eligibility Chair for 18 years, and an associate professor and faculty athletics representative at Huston-Tillotson University (Texas). Etier made a lasting impression on everyone involved in the RRAC and helped shape the conference from its beginning.

Muhammad, a sophomore tennis player from Tustin, Calif., is a mass communication major with a 3.85 ERA. She has committed time to projects with the New Orleans Recreation Department and she has been focused on working with children in poverty in the city. An NAIA first-team All-American, Muhammad has been a leader for the Gold Nuggets' nationally-ranked team. Muhammad will graduate early and plans to pursue a Master's degree.

"Kareemah came to Xavier on a mission to be one of the best tennis players," says Xavier tennis coach Alan Green. "She is a great student. She has a TV star personality. I have no doubt that she will accomplish all of her goals. She will be the next Oprah."

Alexander, a junior from Arnaudville, La., competes in jumping events for the Xavier track & field team. During his time on campus, he has served as a member of multiple pharmaceutical organizations while earning a 3.24 GPA in Pharmacy. During his summers, Alexander conducts research with one of his former professors, and he volunteers for community events in his hometown. He is working toward a dual-degree between Xavier's College of Pharmacy and Regis University (Colo.). Alexander plans to earn Master's and Doctoral degrees in the next two years, while seeking opportunities in the healthcare field. In May, he became the first individual national champion in Xavier history with the NAIA triple jump title.

"Seth is a team player, a leader, and Xavier's only NAIA national champion," says Xavier Track & Field Coach Yhann Plummer. "He sets the standard for his teammates to follow." 

Previous Betty Etier Character Athlete of the Year Winners