Kaylyn Rogers named 2023-24 Lea Plarski Award Winner
Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced Kaylyn Rogers, women's basketball student-athlete from Kansas City Kansas Community College, as the 2023-24 Lea Plarski Award winner.
Kaylyn Rogers played for the Kansas City Kansas women's basketball team for two seasons. This past season the team was 22-10 with Rogers improving her game and averaging 9.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils. In the semifinals of the KJCCC tournament, Rogers scored a team-high 22 points with 11 rebounds. On the defensive end, she recorded four steals and one block. For the 2023-24 season, she was named to the 2024 NJCAA Region 6 DII Basketball All-Tournament Selection. Off the court, Rogers focused on her academics and has been viewed as a young scholar. A recipient of the NJCAA All-Academic Team Award, she was the Vice President of the Kansas City Kansas Student-Athlete Council, a peer tutor, and a student-worker.
Rogers is known to be a servant leader, constantly offering her help around campus and in the community. She continuously leads both on and off the court, willing to help others and work collaboratively to achieve team goals. Known for her character, work ethic, and positive attitude, Rogers has participated in several service-learning and community projects throughout her time at Kansas City Kansas including Special Olympics Kansas Unified, FCA, Heart to Heart International, Harvesters, Powell Gardens, and Amethyst Place.
"Kaylyn was an integral part of our women's basketball team's success this season. She has been an outstanding student-athlete for us for the past 2 years, and moreover an outstanding person," stated Martina Mihailovic, Head basketball coach at Kansas City Kansas. "Kaylyn's character and values are beyond reproach. She enjoyed passing her knowledge to others and was a great role model, on our campus and in our community. Kaylyn is a true leader who consistently demonstrates grace, humility, and deep respect for others. I am truly honored to have coached her the last 2 years here at KCKCC. I am proud and happy for Kaylyn for being named the winner of the 2023-24 Lea Plarski Award. Well deserved!"
Rogers will be honored during the NJCAA Foundation Awards event, held on Thursday, June 6 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place at 6:30 PM ET. The event will recognize the NJCAA Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year, the Lea Plarski Award winner, the Champion Award winners, and the Difference Maker Award winner, in addition to the 2024 class of the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
To learn more regarding the NJCAA Foundation Awards event, visit: NJCAA Foundation Awards
To learn more about past Lea Plarski Award recipients, visit: Lea Plarski Award Winners
About the Lea Plarski Award
The NJCAA's Lea Plarski Award is handed out annually in the name of former NJCAA President Lea Plarski as recognition of her tremendous service to the NJCAA and two-year college athletics. The former director of athletics at St. Louis Community College/Florissant Valley, Plarski helped to establish the Women's Division of the NJCAA in 1975. She served as Vice-President for Women from 1975-1990 when she made NJCAA history as the first female ever elected to the office of President, a position she held from 1990-1996. In honor of her numerous accomplishments, as well as her undeniable dedication to the student-athlete, the NJCAA Lea Plarski Award was created. Since 1995, the award has been presented to an NJCAA student-athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, community service, academic excellence, athletic ability, and achievements – qualities that were the cornerstones of the Plarski "era".
