5/27/2022 1:46:00 PM City of Savannah Honors Savannah State Athletics For Successful Year Share Tweet Pin it +1 E-mail Print Courtesy of Savannah State Athletics Savannah State President Kimberly Ballard-Washington addresses the Savannah City Council during a special presentation honoring Savannah State Athletics for its highly successful 2021-2022 campaign. SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah State Athletics was honored on Thursday evening by the Mayor of Savannah and the Savannah City Council for a highly successful 2021-2022 athletic year. In a special presentation prior to the city council meeting, Mayor Van Johnson recognized Savannah State Athletics for the year's many achievements. "It proves you can get anywhere from here," Mayor Van Johnson said in his introduction, echoing the school's motto. "It appears we've gone through the SIAC and they know who we are. Very glad to have team Savannah State here." Savannah State Athletics brought home a haul of hardware this season including four Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championships, 43 All-SIAC honors, 25 SIAC weekly awards, two SIAC Coach of the Year Awards, and three SIAC Player of the Year awards. Representing the Tigers at the city council meeting was Savannah State President Kimberly Ballard-Washington, Director of Athletics Opio Mashariki, SIAC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year, Cedric Baker, SIAC Baseball Coach of the Year Carlton Hardy, Head Men's Basketball Coach Horace Broadnax, Head Women's Tennis Coach Charles Keenan, and Head Cross Country, Track and Field Coach Ted Whitaker. "Savannah State University has been a part of this city for 132 years," President Ballard-Washington said in her address to the council. "It is because of the citizenry here in Savannah that we are here." Kayla Chance, SIAC Cross Country Champion and SIAC Men's Basketball Champion's Eleik and Elavian Bowles also joined the coaching staff at the presentation. "There's a lot that goes into being able to win championships and represent the University, the city, families, and all of our constituents," Mashariki said in his address to the council. "These accomplishments mean our student-athletes and coaches are doing what's necessary, not only athletically, but academically. We want to thank the city for coming out this year. We can't do it without everyone." Mayor Johnson, Alderwomen Linda Wilder-Bryan, Alicia Miller Blakley, Kesha Gibson-Carter, Estella Edwards Shabazz and Bernetta B. Lanier are all Savannah State University alums. Savannah State Head Women's Basketball Coach, and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Coach of the Year, Cedric Baker addresses the Savannah City Council during a special presentation. Savannah State Head Men's Basketball Coach Horace Broadnax addresses the Savannah City Council during a special presentation.