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On Jan. 11, The Lowndes Signal in cooperation with Lowndes Athletics and Pizza Hut in Greenville sponsored a pizza party to celebrate Bryan Lambert’s achievement of being voted as Lowndes County’s Athlete of the Fall Season. 

Lambert is an exceptional player and the embodiment of what a student-athlete should strive to be. Coaches and players say he is a force to be reckoned with both in the classroom and on the field, holding a 3.4 GPA and in his second year as starting center for the Tigers. 

Lambert plays both offense and defense and has moved up to one of the Tiger’s team captains this year for many reasons including his great work ethic and his love for his teammates. 

Ervin Starr, head coach at The Calhoun School, said that Lambert is a combination of all the things that makes a great student-athlete. 

“From the time that he started playing with us in the 8th grade, whatever he tells you he’s going to do, he does it. He’s a very stand-up guy and he has great character,” Starr said. “When you add all of those things up and combine them with the fact that he’s a great student, you can see he’s going to have a bright future whether it’s on the football field or not.”  

Lambert won Athlete of the Week in September by receiving 46%, 342 out of the 746 votes cast. He competed against 12 other students from Lowndes Academy, The Calhoun School, and Central High School and was named Athlete of the Fall Season in December after earning 30%, 728 out of 2,433 votes.

Lambert is excited about being named Athlete of the Fall Season and has a few words of encouragement for other student-athletes. 

“I feel great about winning this award and it means a lot to me because of the love I have for my teammates and my parents and coaches continuously pushing me to be the best that I can be. I love the game and have a lot of passion for football,” Lambert said. “Student-Athletes, be good leaders, love your teammates, do right by your parents and coaches, and just be the best you can be.” 

Lambert’s teammates celebrated the award with him at the pizza party and congratulated him on his award. 

Malik Moorer, a member of the Tigers’ offensive line, said that Lambert is a hard worker and a very helpful teammate.

“He’s a positive person, he stays on us when he feels like we aren’t doing our best and motivates all of his teammates,” said Moorer. “He works hard both on and off the field.” 

The athlete awards are made possible by the joint efforts of The Lowndes Signal and Lowndes County Public Schools Athletic Director Nickles Rankins, and through the cooperation of the coaches and administration of Central High School, Lowndes Academy, and The Calhoun School.

Along with giving student-athletes a chance to have a spotlight, Starr hopes that others will learn from these achievements. 

“[The Award] motivates and shows the other student-athletes regardless of sport or gender that it’s not lame because you excel in the classroom,” Starr said. “You can excel both on the athletic field or basketball court. It’s not embarrassing or lame, it might be unpopular but it’s what we all strive to do. You’re called a student-athlete for a reason and should not be ashamed of it.”