Ally Banta and Quintyn Flemister: Two Students of Many Talents

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - John Egli is a name that most Penn State students and parents might not recognize at first glance. But his impact is one that’s just as meaningful as the next.

Egli was Penn State’s first Commonwealth Campus Coordinator and a vital factor in the development of athletic programs that currently provide opportunities to hundreds of PSUAC student athletes. He was a student, athlete, and coach himself during his lifetime and his dedication and devotion to Penn State was unmatched.

In other words, without Egli, there may be no Penn State University Athletic Conference.

In his honor, the John Egli Outstanding Student Athlete Award, established in 1982 is presented to one outstanding male and female student athlete nominated by each commonwealth campus each year.

Out of a sum of around 1,500 student-athletes, over 10 varsity sports stemming across 19 locations, two stood out over the rest.

Behold, Penn State Hazleton’s Ally Banta and Penn State Mont Alto’s Quintyn Flemister - your 2022 recipients of the prestigious John Egli Outstanding Student Athlete Award.

With distinguished athletic careers, first-rate achievement in the classroom and noteworthy contributions in their communities, Banta and Flemister earned the esteemed honor over their fellow student-athletes. Banta of the women’s volleyball team is Hazleton’s first female recipient of the award, while Flemister, a part of the men’s basketball squad becomes the second male and third overall recipient for Mont Alto.

“It’s such an honor. I’ve also received a couple awards here for this campus, as well as nationally through our USCAA conference, and it feels amazing,” Banta said. “I really like to be acknowledged for the things I do on campus, and I feel like this award is especially amazing because it’s for my conference that I’ve worked so hard for and been involved in for so many years. And it’s just really nice to be acknowledged for that. It’s very validating for sure.”

Flemister shares similar thoughts and feelings.

“I think the magnitude of this award really holds weight in itself, because many of my [prior] awards have come from Mont Alto specifically and for basketball related things. So for it to be something [encapsulating all the other campuses], I think that’s something that really shows that my impact is real,” Flemister said. “I appreciate [this award] because I know the council doesn’t just give this to anybody. So it’s a real honor.”

Banta is a fourth-year student graduating in the spring with the intent to pursue a higher career in education and student affairs. This past year, she was a co-secretary on the PSUAC student athletic council, the student government president for her Hazleton campus, a resident assistant and a captain on the volleyball team amongst some of her laurels that led to her reception of the respected award. Banta also kickstarted her own campus-specific athletic council to remain proactive around her home campus.

“I have so much fun doing it. I love it. I love serving this community. I love being a part of it,” Banta said.

Flemister boasts more of the same accolades, being a three-year captain on Mont Alto’s basketball team, where this season he racked up numerous awards and transformed his trophy case. Flemister was the recipient of the National Player of the Year for basketball, along with PSUAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, he’s also involved in his campus’ student government and cares tremendously for his community, priding himself on being a friendly face around campus and helping kids who may be considered underprivileged or less fortunate.

Preston Harris is a young boy who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy and joined the Mont Alto basketball team when Flemister was a second-year student. Since, he has taken him under his wing and formed an unbreakable bond with the youngster and considers that one of the most meaningful impacts that he’s made during his time at Mont Alto.

“[Preston] goes to the games, he has a jersey, and we gave him a little signing day and things like that… And you can tell, he always talks to his parents and has a good time. And I just want to be there and talk to him when I can, as he plays sports himself, and just kind of keep his spirits up,” Flemister said.

Flemister wants to translate his desire to work with people into a career one day, as he plans on graduating with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. He thinks that this award will look great on his resume and hopefully assist him in achieving his ultimate goals one day.

As for Banta, it’s going to give her the utmost confidence in herself going forward with anything that she does.

“It gives me a reason not to doubt myself. Because if other people are seeing and acknowledging the work that I’ve done, then that kind of gives me a validating feeling to be able to be like ‘hey, I can do this. I’ve done good things in the past and have been recognized for it’. And I can take that into my career, since I am graduating,” Banta said.

Banta and Flemister have made waves across the board throughout their years at their respective branch campuses. Moving forward, they will undoubtedly continue to do the same as they grow and develop themselves, and make the world around them better simultaneously.

The John S. Egli award will be presented on Monday night, May 23rd at the annual PSUAC Awards Banquet at the Wyndham Garden Inn in State College, Pa.

Zach Donaldson is a fourth-year student studying broadcast journalism. To contact him, email zach.donaldson1@gmail.com