Joanie Burns, McMurry University, Women's Volleyball - Character & Community

Joanie Burns, McMurry University, Women's Volleyball - Character & Community

JOANIE BURNS OF MCMURRY UNIVERSITY, a junior right side on the women's volleyball team from Snyder, Texas, has been selected the SCAC Character & Community Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning November 11.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.



Joanie represents her team and campus well with her copious endeavors into community service, but it is her faith that drives her.

“I think that being active is more what God is calling me to do,” Burns said. “I think that I get stressed out, I get busy, and I couldn't really do it by myself, but I feel like God is calling me and telling me to pursue these clubs and these people.”

The junior from Snyder, Texas, is an academic All-Conference performer who sat out a year of competition to serve as the team’s manager. She returned for her junior season and was an easy selection as McMurry’s representative for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference’s Character and Community Award.

“I am thrilled that Joanie Burns was chosen to receive our SCAC Character and Community Award,” said McMurry volleyball coach Cammie Petree. “Joanie is an exceptional young woman with an unmatched heart for service. She has a gentle spirit of encouragement; she works hard and leads unselfishly by example. Joanie is willing to help with any task and does so without complaint. Joanie’s moral compass is steadfast and unwavering, and her private life is no different than her public life – no matter who she is with or what environment she is in. Joanie has a deep Christian faith, is kind and loves people; she is welcoming and intentional about addressing everyone by name. Her contributions of leadership and character have positively impacted not only the McMurry Community, but the Abilene Community, as well.  She is a blessing, and highly deserving of this award.”

Joanie has been involved in food and clothing ministries in Abilene and also has been part of a mentoring program, reaching out to high school student-athletes.

“Coach Petree asked me my sophomore year to be a part of Mentors Care at Abilene Wylie High School. Even though it was extremely busy, I said ‘yes.’ It was probably one of the most unique experiences I've ever had in my life. I got to sit down with a freshman once a week and just talk to her about life, mentor her in track and all these things that she was involved with. It was an experience that I will never forget.”

Joanie has been through the highs and lows with the volleyball team – from its two-win season in 2023 to postseason contender in 2024.

“I think we're very joyful,” Burns said. “I think we have a sense of unity. We're always laughing; we're always having fun. Even if we don't win every single match, we still find positives, and we still find motivation to keep going forward.”

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