December 13, 2021

East Central Community College graduates RJ Holifield (Stringer) and Sydney Rone (Ethel) are recipients of the Halbrook Award, presented annually to student-athletes at Mississippi's public, private, two-, and four-year postsecondary institutions.

The David M. Halbrook Certificate for Academic Achievement Among Athletes recognizes the efforts of individual student-athletes who excel in academics, leadership, and service. The awards were presented at the annual Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities (MAC) business meeting.

Holifield, a defensive lineman on the ECCC football team for two years, finished his career at ECCC with 12 tackles through one and half seasons due to his sophomore year being cut short because of COVID-19. Holifield was a two-time recipient of MACCC Academic All-State honors and Third Team NJCAA All-Academic honors.

Rone, a multi-position softball player, posted a .268 batting average and 18 RBIs during her two-year tenure at ECCC. Academically, she earned Distinguished MACCC All-State and First Team NJCAA All-Academic honors both years. 

The awards are usually presented during the annual MAC Conference, which brings together attendees from across the state serving in postsecondary institutions in roles including presidents and chancellors, chief academic officers, chief student affairs officers, chief financial officers, admissions officers, institutional effectiveness officers, faculty, and administrators. Due to COVID-19, the MAC Conference was not held this year.

Blue Mountain College President Dr. Barbara McMillin, who served as the 2020-21 president of the MAC Board of Directors, announced the awards.

The Halbrook Award for Academic Achievement Among Athletes was established in 1984 as a result of the passage of House Concurrent Resolution No. 88. The awards program is made possible through endowments from former Rep. David M. Halbrook of Belzoni and his brothers, John C. and James G. Halbrook of Belzoni and J.A. Halbrook of Beaumont, Texas, in honor of their parents, John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook.