1996 Olympic Athletes: Volleyball and Other Sports Recognized
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Southeastern Louisiana University has named Maya Proctor and Jordan Burns as the 2025-26 Athletes of the Year, recognizing their performances across multiple sports. The announcement, made by the university’s athletic department, highlights Proctor’s achievements in volleyball and Burns’ contributions to track and field.
Proctor, a senior outside hitter for the SLU volleyball team, was cited for her leadership during the 2025 season, which saw the Lady Lions finish with a 22-10 record. She averaged 3.8 kills per set and was named to the All-Southland Conference first team. Burns, a junior sprinter, set school records in the 100-meter dash (10.82 seconds) and 200-meter dash (21.91 seconds) during the 2025 outdoor track season. His performances earned him Southland Conference Track Athlete of the Year honors.
The selection process involves evaluations by the SLU athletics staff, with input from coaches and athletic directors. The award recognizes student-athletes who excel in both competition and academic achievement. Proctor, a biology major with a 3.9 GPA, and Burns, a business administration student with a 3.8 GPA, both met the criteria for academic excellence.
This marks the second consecutive year a volleyball player has won the award. In 2024, Kelsey Smith was recognized for her role in leading SLU to a Southland Conference championship. The university’s athletic department emphasized that the award aims to celebrate “the complete student-athlete experience.”
Burns’ track achievements also drew attention as he became the first SLU athlete to qualify for the NCAA Division I Championships in both the 100 and 200 meters in the same season. His 200-meter time of 21.91 seconds ranked him 12th nationally in 2025.
The 2025-26 academic year saw SLU’s athletic teams compete in a restructured conference schedule, with the Southland Conference expanding to 14 members. The Lady Lions’ volleyball team advanced to the Southland Tournament semifinals, while the track and field program placed third in the