LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has announced its Senior Scholar Athlete Award winners for the winter season. This award recognizes a senior who truly represents the student-athlete model by performing in competition, in the classroom and around the community.
This season, four student-athletes from four different member institutions were recognized.
| Student-Athlete |
Sport |
Institution |
| Derian Bradford |
Men's Basketball |
Cairn University |
| Leah Gray |
Women's Indoor Track & Field |
Penn State Harrisburg |
| Mitchell Gray |
Men's Indoor Track & Field |
Lancaster Bible College |
| Cassidy Perry |
Women's Basketball |
Gallaudet University |
Derian Bradford
On and off the court, Bradford has been an integral part of Cairn University athletics for the past two seasons. The Landsdale, Pa. native was named a D3hoops.com Third Team All-Region selection this winter and earned United East First-Team All-Conference recognition as well. Over the course of his career, Bradford was a two-time All-CSAC honoree, first team at Cairn and second team in 2022 while he was at the University of Valley Forge. For his career, Bradford has tallied 1,488 points, 707 rebounds, 273 assists, 113 steals, and 19 double-doubles.
In the classroom, Bradford has maintained a 3.62 GPA in Interdisciplinary Studies which helped him to be named to the United East All-Academic team and the NABC Honors Court last season. He has also found time to help out the community through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Push the Rock organizations. While a part of FCA, Bradford was a huddle leader for small group bible study and a devotion leader. Bradford was also a camp counselor at Push the Rock, which provides life-changing experiences through sports by introducing people to the Bible and help them lead a healthy and fulfilling life through those values.
"I’m so proud of Derian for being named a Senior Scholar Athlete Award winner. He is a tireless worker on and off the court who embodies what we want a student-athlete in our program to be." - Jason O'Connell (Cairn Men's Basketball Coach)
Leah Gray
Gray has collected quite a few accolades throughout her time at Penn State Harrisburg, as she currently holds four program records in both indoor and outdoor track in the 60m, 100m, and 200m and shares the distance medley relay mark as well. This winter, she medaled at the United East Indoor Championships when she won gold in the 60m and earned silver in the 200m. The Windsor, Conn. native was named to the United East All-Conference First and Second teams for her efforts in 60m and 200m. Most recently, she received USTFCCCA Indoor All-Region recognition in the 60m after receiving the same designation last spring for the 100m. Twice this winter, she was named the United East Track Athlete of the Week for her performances on the track.
Other than her accomplishments on the track, Gray has also been stellar in the classroom where she currently holds a 3.64 GPA in Political Science. Last season she was a CSC Academic All-District selection and a United East Scholar-Athlete. Gray is also a part of the Student-Athlete Leadership Council at Penn State Harrisburg in which she has participated in various initiatives including the United East food drive and National Read Across America Day.
"Leah Gray represents everything we ask of our student athletes here at Penn State Harrisburg. She excels in the classroom, on the field of play and she is a model citizen on campus and beyond. There is no doubt that Leah is extraordinarily deserving of this distinguished honor and recognition." - Rahsaan Carlton (Penn State Harrisburg Director of Athletics)
Mitchell Gray
A fantastic leader and one of the hardest workers on campus, Gray has found success in various areas during his collegiate career at Lancaster Bible College. The Schaefferstown, Pa. native holds numerous indoor and outdoor track and field records for the Chargers, including both individual and relay accomplishments. At the 2024 United East Indoor Championships Gray captured a pair of silver medals in the 3k and distance medley relay, along with a bronze medal in the mile, securing all-conference recognition in all three events. Most recently, Bradford qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 800, 3k, and 5k races.
Outside of the track, Gray has performed just as well as he carries a 3.78 GPA in Health and Physical Education. In addition to all he has done in athletics and academics, Gray has also found time to give back to the community. Gray has volunteered for the Youth For Christ organization where he helped chaperone several high school events and every summer he has worked at North Ridge Basketball Academy as a camp counselor. On campus, Gray has been a part of SAAC for two years, as well as helping organize events during the missions conferences and leads weekly gym classes for homeschool students in the Charger PE program.
"Mitch is an incredible role model and leader on our team. He excels in the classroom and on the track, always working hard and pursuing excellence in all he does. He is a supportive and encouraging teammate who selflessly puts others above himself." - Melissa Baughman (Lancaster Bible Track & Field Coach)
Cassidy Perry
It’s no surprise that Perry has added yet another award to her already impressive resume during her time at Gallaudet University. Perry is the reigning United East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for the Volt Division. Most recently, she was named a Jostens Trophy finalist and was named to the D3hoops.com All-Region second team for the third year in row. The Frederick, Md. native is a four-time all-conference honoree and concluded her career as the third all-time leading scorer in Bison history with 1,762 points and 1,083 rebounds (which stands as second all-time).
Off the court, Perry holds a 3.95 GPA in Sociology and just earned her third CSC Academic All-District honor of her career. Last season, she was a CSC Academic All-America Second Team Selection and she has garnered a United East Scholar Athlete award every year. Although both of her academic and athletic achievements are impressive, so too are the things she has done on campus and throughout the community. This winter, Perry volunteered for the Stay in to Win program within the on-campus Deaf elementary school, that focuses on five keys to student successes that help middle school students better understand how to become more successful in school and in life. Perry has also donated her time to several sports clinics and camps not only near campus but in her hometown and in different states like Tennessee. She also has been a member of the USA Deaf Women’s Basketball team since 2019, where Perry has gained international experience and leadership opportunities.
"Congratulations to Cassidy on this prestigious award, a fitting culmination to her remarkable journey as a dominant force in women's basketball. We are profoundly grateful for the passion and dedication she has shown at Gallaudet and throughout the United East Conference. Her legacy at Gallaudet is an inspiration to us all." - Stephanie Stevens (Gallaudet Women's Basketball Coach)
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.