ROCK HILL, S.C. (theSAC.com) -- The South Atlantic Conference announced its 2025-26 Patrick Britz Man and Woman of the Year Award recipients on Friday. Carson-Newman’s
Macauley Bailey was named the SAC Woman of the Year, while fellow Eagle
Jack Browder was named the SAC Man of the Year.
The award, which is presented annually and modeled after the NCAA Woman of the Year honor, is named after outgoing Commissioner Patrick Britz who served the league for 18 years. The league’s presidents announced the award be named in his honor at the SAC Basketball Championship in March.
Bailey, a senior softball student-athlete, put together one of the most decorated careers in Carson-Newman history while excelling in the classroom and serving her community. A psychology major with a perfect 4.00 GPA, Bailey is a two-time CSC Academic All-American and a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection. She has also earned Dean’s List honors, been named a four-time Platinum Eagle Scholar and was recognized as a Hope Scholar and Presidential Scholar. In addition, Bailey was named Carson-Newman’s Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year during her senior season.
On the field, Bailey established herself as one of the most dominant hitters in SAC and NCAA Division II history. She capped her career by leading the SAC with a .458 batting average during her senior season while ranking among the league leaders in RBIs, hits, on-base percentage and extra-base hits. On March 26 against Milligan, she became the SAC’s all-time RBI leader, surpassing Anderson’s Kayson Boatner, and finished the season as the NCAA Division II active career leader with 244 RBIs.
Bailey earned First Team All-SAC honors during both her junior and senior seasons and finished her career as Carson-Newman’s all-time home run leader. Among her numerous honors, she was named SAC Player of the Year, SAC Freshman of the Year and NFCA National Freshman of the Year while earning multiple D2CCA and NFCA First Team All-Region and All-America selections. She was also named Carson-Newman’s Frosty Award Female Athlete of the Year during both her junior and senior seasons.
Away from softball, Bailey has dedicated countless hours to service and leadership initiatives. She provides free softball lessons to underprivileged children in the Nashville area, volunteers as a coach for travel softball teams and serves as president of Carson-Newman’s chapter of The Hidden Opponent, an organization focused on mental health advocacy. Bailey has also worked as a peer tutor, volunteered with local youth organizations and participated in numerous community outreach initiatives.
Browder, a senior men’s basketball student-athlete and two-time winner of the SAC Man of the Year honor, owns a perfect 4.00 cumulative GPA while majoring in Business Administration. He was named the CSC Academic All-American of the Year and earned CSC Academic All-America and Academic All-District honors during his career. Browder was also named the D2CCA Regional Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the Southeast Region, earned SAC Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors and captured the SAC Elite 23 Award. He has also been recognized as a Platinum Eagle Scholar, Presidential Scholar and Hope Scholar during his time at Carson-Newman.
Browder was also named the 2025-26 South Atlantic Conference President’s Award winner, becoming the first student-athlete in conference history to earn the prestigious honor three consecutive years. The President’s Award recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and service.
On the court, Browder concluded one of the most decorated careers in Carson-Newman and South Atlantic Conference history. He finished his career with 2,098 points, ranking among the all-time leading scorers in SAC history. During his senior season, he became the only player in NCAA Division II to lead his conference in both scoring and rebounding and was named the 2025-26 SAC Player of the Year. Browder also earned D2CCA and NABC All-Region honors and was a seven-time SAC Player of the Week and national player of the week recipient.
Away from basketball, Browder has demonstrated a strong commitment to service and leadership. He has volunteered with First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Carson-Newman’s annual Operation INASMUCH initiative. He has served as a mentor for elementary school students, volunteered with youth basketball programs throughout the Kingsport area and helped deliver Hurricane Helene relief supplies to communities across East Tennessee. Browder also served on the leadership council for the Carson-Newman men’s basketball program.