Student Athletes Honored with Awards
During the 2023-2024 school year, two Emmaus student athletes, Anna Harwood (women's basketball) and Josh Matte (men's soccer) were recognized by the National Christian University Athletic Association (NCCAA) for their outstanding service in addition to their athletic achievements.
Anna Harwood, Basketball
Anna Harwood was recognized by the NCCAA as the 2024 Dr. Marti MacCullough Award recipient for Division II Women’s Basketball.
Harwood is a student-athlete who has been fueled by hardship in both her faith journey and on the court for Emmaus University. After not playing as much in her first two seasons, the senior from New Berlin, Wisconsin has been a main contributor for the Eagles, averaging 8.9 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game in 2023-24. Harwood has improved each of her statistical averages in each season at Emmaus and has really refined her shot behind the arc with a pair of games this season where she has hit 5+ threes. Harwood has helped Emmaus to a conference runner-up finish in her career and she helped her team earn the 2023 Midwest Christian University Conference (MCCC) Sportsmanship Award.
Like her time on the court, Harwood’s faith has grown over her time at Emmaus Bible. After experience a lot of grief and tragedy in her life, including the recent loss of a sibling, Harwood has stayed steadfast in her relationship with Christ using her experiences to encourage those around her. Harwood actively seeks opportunities for outreach, as she leads worship for Emmaus University chapels and leads a Campus Community Group (CCG) Bible study. Harwood is actively involved in the Dubuque, Iowa community as well, serving at the Dream Center, an established faith-based non-profit organization that mentors at-risk kids with a mission to impact youth, strengthen families, and build community.
“Anna has been an advocate for her team all season and has been helpful with gauging where each person’s mind is at,” said Emmaus Head Women’s Basketball Coach Sharon Tomlinson. “As our team captain, she has taken initiative in leading and scheduling out team devotionals and has made it a goal of hers to seek out ways to serve her teammates.”
Award Description
Dr. Marti MacCullough accumulated over 300 wins and eight NCCAA Regional Championships during coaching stints at Lancaster Bible University and Philadelphia Biblical University (now Cairn University). Marti coached in eight NCCAA National Championships and was named NCCAA Coach of the Year twice. She served as National Sport Chair and Vice-Chair for multiple terms. Marti taught her teams that God is not separate from our athletic life and that their play is an act of worship given back to the Lord. The NCCAA is honored to be able to present this award in the name of Dr. Marti MacCullough.
Josh Matte, Soccer
Josh Matte was recognized by the NCCAA as the 2024 Dr. Marti MacCullough Award recipient for Division II Women’s Basketball.
A two-time team captain, Matte has been a physical motivator on the field, and a culture leader off the field for the Emmaus Eagles’ men’s soccer squad. Matte has played 35 matches for the Eagles and started in all 35. The midfielder/defender has netted 15 career goals and 6 career assists. He has twice been honored as First Team All-Regional (2021, 2022) and First Team All-Midwest Christian University Conference (2021, 2022).
Off the field, the Ontario, Canada native lives out his faith with his actions. He has served the community around him in various capacities such as coaching youth soccer clinics, serving as a youth leader at his local church, doing mission work, working summer camps, and leading one-on-one discipleship. At his school, he serves as the Intramural Coordinator on campus and the VP of the Emmaus Student Union, which is responsible for leading and creating student events. The junior studies educational ministries (ministry leadership) and holds a 3.33 GPA. He has earned Dean’s List twice and is the recipient of the Daniel H. Smith Leadership Scholarship.
Head Coach Chris McHugh said, “Josh lives out his faith on and off the field in front of his teammates. He is a leader by example in how he plays, and when he shares and prays with opposing teams in our post-game huddle. Josh has been a pleasure to coach and I trust the Lord will continue to use him after he graduates.”
Award Description
Kyle Rote, Jr. simply excelled in every area of life. He played every available sport, but soccer grabbed his allegiance in his teen years, and he was an All-American selection during his days at the University of the South. He rose to worldwide fame as the first US professional player to be viewed as a superstar during the days of the North American Soccer League. He played with and against the game’s best, including Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, George Best, and Rodney Marsh. He achieved some of his greatest fame by winning the Superstar Competition in which top athletes from every professional sport competed in a wide array of skills. He bested the likes of Lynn Swan, Drew Pearson, and Franco Harris. Throughout his career in sports, and today as a representative for professional athletes, Kyle Rote, Jr. simply let his faith in Christ drive him to be excellent as a husband, father, and community leader. The NCCAA is proud to present an honor of this magnitude in Kyle’s honor.
