Kalamazoo Valley Names Its Two Top Athletes of the Year

Dale B. Lake Award Goes to Basketball Players Achieving 1,000-Point Milestone

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Kalamazoo Valley Community College has selected the two basketball players who recently achieved 1,000-point career milestones as the recipients of its coveted annual Dale B. Lake Award, the college’s highest honor for student-athletes. Abigail Long, from the women’s team, and Myles Johnson, from the men’s team, accomplished their scoring feats on Feb. 18 and Feb. 11, respectively.

In honor of Kalamazoo Valley’s founding president, the Dale B. Lake Award began in 1970. Each year, one outstanding male and one outstanding female student-athlete are recognized. Special consideration is given to exceptional academic achievement, as well as outstanding athletic contribution. Qualities such as leadership, loyalty, enthusiasm, reliability and initiative are also evaluated.

“I nominated Abigail Long because she exemplifies hard work and determination by setting goals and putting in the work to achieve them,” said Women’s Head Basketball Coach Felicia Thomas. “She has continued to represent Kalamazoo Valley by showing up in the community for all volunteer opportunities, all while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, studying web design and going after a coaching certificate. She is self-motivated and has spread that to her teammates on and off the court since she has been a student-athlete here at Valley.”

Long, a point guard, was team captain for two years, as well as back-to-back Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference Player of the Year and All-American. The Portage Central High School grad received her associate degree from Valley in April. She plans to attend Concordia University in the fall in Ann Arbor, where she will also play basketball. Last summer, Long was selected to participate in the National Junior College Athletic Association's Annual Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Weekend in Atlanta. Only 40 student-athletes were chosen nationwide.

Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Horn nominated Myles Johnson. Johnson earned an associate degree in liberal arts this spring. He was a guard and forward. In addition to maintaining excellent grades, Johnson, a Portage Northern High School alum, participated in four service projects during the last school year, including a Spirit Week assembly at Lincoln International Studies School in Kalamazoo.

“Myles Johnson was a two-year starter with a 3.6 grade point average,” Horn said. “He received several awards this year, including Third Team All-American and Conference Player of the Year. He is one of a few players to score over 1,000 points in his career at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He involves himself in school activities like the equity focus group last winter and several community service projects throughout the year. Myles has several offers to continue playing at a four-year school and will make his decision soon.”

Every spring, Kalamazoo Valley asks coaches to nominate one individual from their team to the athletic director for consideration for the Dale B. Lake Award. The athletic director then chooses one male and one female award winner. Although an exceptional first year student-athlete, with appropriate supporting data, could be selected for this award, sophomores who have made such contributions for two years are given priority consideration.

Each winner receives a plaque and will be added to the Dale B. Lake plaque displayed within the Athletic office at Kalamazoo Valley.