The Athlete of the Year award is given to a student-athlete who displays outstanding athletic accomplishments, combined with academic excellence and superior career credentials. The award is voted on by the university's athletic staff.

Entire Banquet: http://youtu.be/Vj1tPo8mhvQ

Rollins, a softball player, completed her second straight record-breaking season for the Lady Eagles. The right-handed pitcher from Searcy, Ark., broke the school record with 15 strikeouts in a game April 16. Rollins also threw the school's fourth no-hitter March 1 at the American Southwest Conference First Pitch Tournament. She posted another All-Conference season after leading the ASC in strikeouts (146) and strikeouts per game (9.5). She ranked fifth in the conference in innings pitched (137.1) and tied for third in saves with two. She was named to the ASC All-East Division First Team after finishing the year with a 10-9 record, including two wins over nationally-ranked opponents, and a 4.00 ERA. She earned ASC Pitcher of the Week twice this season. Rollins had six or more strikeouts in 13 games and did not allow an earned run in four contests. Last season, Rollins was named ASC Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the ASC All-East Division Second Team. 

She is a member of the ASC All-Academic Team and has been on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athlete Team twice. She is a biology major and is the daughter of Rick and Michelle Rollins.

Bass, a tennis player, produced the best season in program history since Ozarks joined NCAA Division III. Bass posted a 14-2 singles and doubles record, the most wins in school history, and led Ozarks to its first-ever regional-ranking (No. 16) from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound native of Greenwood, Ark., also helped the team to its best season with a 12-4 mark. Bass earned a spot on the All-Conference Team this season and was named ASC Player of the Week twice. He posted the most wins at No. 2 singles in the ASC and tied for the most singles wins overall. At No. 1 doubles, he and Todd Turner finished second in the ASC in wins. Bass began the season winning seven straight singles and doubles matches and now owns 26 career singles wins and 25 career doubles wins.

He is on the ASC All-Academic Team this season and is a two-time member of the ITA Scholar-Athlete Team. He is a management/administration major and the son of Mike and Judy Bass.

"They are very good academically and athletically," said athletic director Jimmy Clark. "Both were Freshman of the Year last year and have been good the day they set foot on campus. Amber has a tremendous amount of strikeouts and has beaten nationally ranked teams. Bishop is very athletic and displays a fearless competitive mindset. They are both well-round individuals, the type of student-athletes coaches want in their programs."