DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Alisha Callender of B-CU volleyball and Dearis Thomas of B-CU football have been named Wildcats of the Week for the week of Sept. 18-24.

Alisha Callender was a catalyst behind Bethune-Cookman going 1-1 over the weekend, securing the Wildcats first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and overall win of the 2023 campaign in the process. The Preseason All-SWAC Team member hit at a .333 clip in the 3-2 victory over Alabama A&M, adding a season-high 27 assists and three service aces. Two days later, the Dorado, Puerto Rico native produced her second double-double of the season with 19 assists and 11 digs versus Alabama State. Her one kill of two attempts allowed her a .375 hitting mark for the weekend, respectively. In all, she provided BCU with 46 assists, three kills and 15 digs across two matches at home.

Sophomore linebacker Dearis Thomas led a stout B-CU defense Saturday night as the Wildcats took on Jackson State on the road Saturday night. The Naples, Fla., native registered ten total tackles to lead a Wildcats defense that held the SWAC-leading Tigers offense to just 22 points at Veterans Memorial Stadium. He also recorded a pair of tackles for loss for nine yards, which also led the team. His efforts on the defensive side allowed B-CU to foroce nine Jackson State punts, the most the program has forced in a game since 2021. 

Each week, The Bethune-Cookman Office of Athletic Communications recognizes one male and one female student-athlete through the Wildcats of the Week award. This award recognizes student-athletes who have excelled in competition, in the classroom, and in the community over the past week, exemplifying the Championship Culture of Wildcat Athletics. 

2023-24 Wildcats of the Week

Sept. 18-24
F: Alisha Callender
M: Dearis Thomas

Sept. 12-17
F: Katie Robinson
M: Stephen Sparrow

Sept. 4-11
F: Mia Delahoussaye
M: Luke Sprague, Football

Aug. 28-Sept. 3
F: Malina Spencer, Volleyball
M: Amarie Jones, Football



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