St. John's University Athletics
Trio of Johnnies Collect BIG EAST Sport Excellence Awards
8/12/2026 2:00:00 PM | General, Men's Tennis, Women's Track and Field, Women's Volleyball
Adam Groves, Erin Jones and Jamora Alves honored by the BIG EAST for outstanding athletic and academic performance, as well as community engagement
NEW YORK (Aug. 12, 2026) – Three St. John's student-athletes were named BIG EAST Sport Excellence Award winners for their respective sport, the conference office announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Adam Groves, Erin Jones and Jamora Alves were honored along with 19 other student-athletes from across the league for their superb athletic and academic performance, and community service initiatives.
The Sport Excellence Awards are given to one student-athlete in each BIG EAST-sponsored sport based on academic credentials, athletic accolades or performances and volunteer service to the community. Student-athletes who have attained junior academic standing and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 are eligible.
The winners are chosen by the BIG EAST Faculty Athletics Representative Council. Seton Hall led all schools with seven honorees. St. John's along with Butler, Marquette and UConn also had multiple recipients.
Groves was tabbed as the men's tennis recipient, boasting a 3.91 GPA in financial mathematics. The senior was a member of the Red Storm's back-to-back BIG EAST Championship teams, going 16-2 in doubles play alongside teammate Semen Agansky. The Billericay, England, native also received the Pisano Award at the St. John's Athletic Awards Banquet for seven consecutive semesters holding a GPA over 3.25. Off the court, Groves served as a volunteer assistant coach at the Hutton Tennis Club in Shenfield, England.
Jones claimed the honor for volleyball and closes out a memorable collegiate career with a 3.98 GPA in biology. The Albuquerque, N.M., product earned an honorable mention selection to the AVCA All-North Region Team following the 2025 season, marking the third time in her storied career that she has made an All-Region Team. The senior became the first player in program and conference history to record 1,000 career kills, 1,000 career assists and 1,000 career digs. Jones set a career high with 532 assists during her senior campaign, in addition to logging 294 kills and 269 digs. Jones also spent time at numerous winter and spring clothing drives while serving as a volleyball volunteer at Riseboro Recreational.
Alves rounds out the selections for the Johnnies. The track and field standout recorded one of the most decorated seasons in program history while carrying a 3.62 GPA in Health and Human Services. An All-America Second Team selection, the Carriacou, Grenada, native set a program and national record in the discus during the outdoor season. She was named the 2026 BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Most Outstanding Field Performer, enroute to three BIG EAST titles across the indoor and outdoor seasons. Outside the ring, Alves has spent time with Calvary's Mission Food Pantry, Zoefia's Race for Awareness and Queens Center for Progress/Achilles Track Club.
Adam Groves, Erin Jones and Jamora Alves were honored along with 19 other student-athletes from across the league for their superb athletic and academic performance, and community service initiatives.
The Sport Excellence Awards are given to one student-athlete in each BIG EAST-sponsored sport based on academic credentials, athletic accolades or performances and volunteer service to the community. Student-athletes who have attained junior academic standing and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 are eligible.
The winners are chosen by the BIG EAST Faculty Athletics Representative Council. Seton Hall led all schools with seven honorees. St. John's along with Butler, Marquette and UConn also had multiple recipients.
Groves was tabbed as the men's tennis recipient, boasting a 3.91 GPA in financial mathematics. The senior was a member of the Red Storm's back-to-back BIG EAST Championship teams, going 16-2 in doubles play alongside teammate Semen Agansky. The Billericay, England, native also received the Pisano Award at the St. John's Athletic Awards Banquet for seven consecutive semesters holding a GPA over 3.25. Off the court, Groves served as a volunteer assistant coach at the Hutton Tennis Club in Shenfield, England.
Jones claimed the honor for volleyball and closes out a memorable collegiate career with a 3.98 GPA in biology. The Albuquerque, N.M., product earned an honorable mention selection to the AVCA All-North Region Team following the 2025 season, marking the third time in her storied career that she has made an All-Region Team. The senior became the first player in program and conference history to record 1,000 career kills, 1,000 career assists and 1,000 career digs. Jones set a career high with 532 assists during her senior campaign, in addition to logging 294 kills and 269 digs. Jones also spent time at numerous winter and spring clothing drives while serving as a volleyball volunteer at Riseboro Recreational.
Alves rounds out the selections for the Johnnies. The track and field standout recorded one of the most decorated seasons in program history while carrying a 3.62 GPA in Health and Human Services. An All-America Second Team selection, the Carriacou, Grenada, native set a program and national record in the discus during the outdoor season. She was named the 2026 BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Most Outstanding Field Performer, enroute to three BIG EAST titles across the indoor and outdoor seasons. Outside the ring, Alves has spent time with Calvary's Mission Food Pantry, Zoefia's Race for Awareness and Queens Center for Progress/Achilles Track Club.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
/ Men's Tennis
S/RS
/ Women's VolleyballTuesday, May 06
Friday, April 25
Thursday, April 24
Friday, December 06