Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Minnick, Al-Amin honored as CUSA Scholar Athletes of the Year
6/25/2026 12:00:00 PM | Baseball, Men's Tennis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- Middle Tennessee baseball's Tyler Minnick and men's tennis' Karim Al-Amin have been named Conference USA Scholar Athletes of the Year for their respective sports, according to a release from the league office on Thursday.
The awards, voted on by the conference's 12 FARs, are presented to the top student-athletes in each conference-sponsored sport based on academic achievement (GPA), athletic achievement and service.
A senior from Smyrna, Georgia, Minnick was a mainstay behind the plate and at first base for the Blue Raiders throughout 2026. Minnick's efforts on the field, including a program record 43-game on-base streak, led to a second team All-CUSA selection.
The catcher shined in the classroom as well, earning his second consecutive CUSA all-academic team selection after turning in a 4.0 GPA as a business administration major at MTSU.
Minnick rounded out his Scholar Athlete of the Year campaign by taking home CUSA's Spirit of Service award for leading Blue Raider baseball's efforts off the field and in the Middle Tennessee community. This included hosting Miracle League Murfreesboro at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
A member of both the All-CUSA singles and doubles first teams, Al-Amin accumulated a team-high 19 wins while helping guide Middle Tennessee to a seventh-consecutive CUSA Championship title.
Al-Amin raked in the academic awards during his senior campaign as well, being named to the CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll and CUSA Men's Tennis All-Academic Team. The senior from Walthrop, Germany also earned the CUSA Academic Medal to add to his trophy case in 2026.
In the community, Al-Amin was a large part of Middle Tennessee's efforts at youth community clinics. Al-Amin also gave back to the community with yearly activities at local elementary schools such as fall festivals and reading events.
2025-26 CUSA Scholar Athlete Winners
Baseball Tyler Minnick, MTSU
Bowling Jillian Martin, Nebraska
Football Thomas Jewett, Sam Houston
Men's Basketball Cheikh Ndiaye, Sam Houston
Men's Cross Country Brad Malick-Beltran, FIU
Men's Golf Aryan Vuradi, Delaware
Men's Tennis Karim Al-Amin, MTSU
Men's Track and Field Connor Owens, WKU
Softball Kally Meredith, FIU
Volleyball Chloe Monson, Sam Houston
Women's Basketball Ella Wanzer, Delaware
Women's Cross Country Salma Licon, UTEP
Women's Golf Mary Grace Dunigan, Delaware
Women's Soccer Mary Helen Burford, LA Tech
Women's Tennis Elizabeth Sobieski, WKU
Women's Track and Field Allie Zealand, Liberty
Women's Beach Volleyball Skylar Ensign, Tulane
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