FRISCO, Texas—Junior outfielder Rylee Eyster has been awarded the 2025 Steve McCarty Citizenship Award, the Southland Conference announced today.
 
The Steve McCarty award was initiated during the 2005-26 season, recognizes a male and female student-athlete who exhibit outstanding qualities in citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership and community service. The honor is named for the former Stephen F. Austin athletic director, who served at the school for 21 years, including 15 as athletic director. McCarty, an Alto, Texas, native, retired from SFA in 2005 and is a two-time graduate of the university. He is a member of the SFA Board of Regents and the SFA Alumni Association's "Football Coaches Hall of Honor." McCarty was inducted into the Southland Conference Hall of Honor in 2006.
 
Eyster, a member of the 2025 Southland Conference regular season softball championship team and is the second McNeese softball student-athlete to receive the honor in the last three years.  Former Cowgirl pitcher Whitney Tate was the female recipient in 2023.
 
Eyster is a native of Southaven, Miss. and a Mass Communication Major.  She served as team captain this season and is heavily involved in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).  She also serves as an ESPN+ sideline reporter for McNeese football and a color analyst for Cowgirl soccer. She lives out the FCA Values of integrity, teamwork, and excellence as an example to others of what a Christian competitor is.
 
In addition, Rylee was recognized as the 2024-2025 Community Impact Student-Athlete of the year as chosen by the McNeese Athletic Administration for completing the most community service hours out of all female student-athletes.
 
Eyster has volunteered countless hours throughout the Lake Charles community in various ways including Southwest LA OOTD Walk, Buddy Ball, Little League Camp, Trunk or Treat, Food Pantry, PetroChem Golf Tournament, and Bingo at a local nursing home. She also serves as a student success tutor for our student-athletes.
 
For the upcoming 2025-26 year, Eyster will serve as McNeese's SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) President to represent the student body. Eyster is the perfect representation of a leader both on and off the field, guiding her team and entire student-athlete population in a positive direction.