SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel University Department of Athletics announced the 2025-26 Dr. David Stair and Sandra Sorbo Student-Athletes of the Year on Tuesday, with Zach Myers and April Phillips being named as the winners, a repeat of the recipients from the 2023-24 season.

Dr. David Stair and Sandra Sorbo are former Evangel Athletic Directors who were advocates for all student-athletes and expected excellence from all who participated wearing the Evangel uniform. They had great respect for those who were exceptional performers in the classroom and in competition, and exemplified strong Christian leadership and sportsmanship.

The two student-athletes will be honored at an upcoming game in the fall semester, to be announced.

Myers was Evangel's first ever CSC Academic All-American Team Member of the Year, given to the top overall All-American in the NAIA, and was honored in the spring at the Maxwell Football Awards in Atlanta, Georgia. Zach also was named Evangel's NFF Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, given to a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, who has a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, that has outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and has demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

The Lee's Summit, Mo., native, finished his strong 2025 campaign earning KCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Zach finished with 15 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, leading the KCAC in both marks. Myers also finished the year with 52 total tackles and was named a consensus All-American, earning honors from the NAIA, AFCA, VSN, AP, and CSC, helping lead the Valor back to the playoffs in 2025.

In the local community, Zach served at several different events, including the Convoy of Hope Women's Event, Valor Volunteer Day, at Evangel Graduations, and interned at the Blue Springs Assembly of God Church in the summers of '23, '24, and '25, where he currently serves as youth pastor following his graduation.

Phillips had an exceptional junior season, one of the best all-time in Evangel Women's Track and Field history.

April earned four All-American honors this season, the most by a single athlete in Evangel's history, placing eighth in both indoor and outdoor high jump (1.61 & 1.67 meters, respectively), as well as eighth in the outdoor triple jump (11.86 meters), and a national runner-up honor in the indoor triple jump (12.06 meters) to cap off a successful 2025-26 season. Phillips also earned Women's Field Athlete of the Year (indoor & outdoor) in the conference.

April has consistently served her community on campus and in Springfield, serving as a volunteer at Evangel's Colossal Sale, while also helping at the Special Olympics afterparty, hosted at AGFinancial Arena. Phillips has also been a yearly participant at Valor Volunteer Day, a day where Evangel students come together to pack groceries for the homeless and needy in the Springfield area.

Past winners of the Stair and Sorbo Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year are listed below:

2017-18: Male - Josh Evans (Football); Female - Sydnee Garrett (Basketball)

2018-19: Male - Andreas Moeller (Football); Female – Lexie Vaught (Basketball)

2019-20: Male – Sam Morton (Football); Female – Lexie Vaught (Basketball)

2020-21: Male – Shane Burns (XC & Track); Female – Bayley Harman (Basketball)

2021-22: Male – Cade Coffman (Men's Basketball); Female – Eryn Russell (Volleyball)

2022-23: Male – Josh Pritchett (Men's Basketball); Female – Skylar Adams (XC & Track)

2023-24: Male – Zach Myers (Football); Female – April Phillips (Track & Field)

2024-25: Male – Devyn Wright (Track and Field); Female – Maddy Meierer (Softball)

2025-26: Male – Zach Myers (Football); Female – April Phillips (Track & Field)

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.  

—#OneValor—