The City University of New York Athletic Conference annually recognizes its best and brightest student-athletes, who not only excel in athletics, but succeed in the classroom as well. Over the next few weeks, CUNYAC will recognize those who truly embody what it means to be a student-athlete. The award is presented by Hospital for Special Surgery, the official hospital of the CUNY Athletic Conference.
Prishany Skinner, an outside hitter for the Kingsborough Community College women's volleyball team, was selected as the 2019-2020 City University of New York Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Skinner, a native of Brooklyn, New York, followed her mother's footsteps, attending Kingsborough and graduating with an associate's degree in biology with an impressive 3.72 GPA.
"I'm honored and privileged that CUNYAC selected me as Scholar Athlete of the Year. The hard work both on and off the court is something I'm proud of. This award makes me feel special," Skinner said.
Skinner, who is committed to Brooklyn College for Fall 2020, will continue pursuing her medical degree and plans on becoming a pediatrician. Skinner spent summers volunteering at CAMBA, a non-profit organization, and her time as a Youth Counselor steered Skinner's commitment into pediatrics.
"I love being around kids, they gravitate towards me. Working at the CAMBA Summer Youth Program has helped me grow and made my desire to be a pediatrician more natural," Skinner said.
Skinner started playing volleyball in high school and came off the bench her freshman year for the Wave, but was always prepared when her number was called.
"Prishany was a player that came in off the bench, substituted when necessary and did an outstanding job in that role. So much so, when I put her to start both matches of a crucial doubleheader, her outstanding play at the net led us to victory," Paul Watson, head coach of Kingsborough women's volleyball said.
Skinner finished her rookie campaign with 16 kills and three blocks. But it was that doubleheader that propelled Prishany to take the next step, capping off her sophomore year as one of the best in program history. Skinner finished 2019 as a CUNYAC All-Star and NJCAA All-Region XV Honorable Mention, while ending her Wave career with the third-highest single season kills per set ratio in Kingsborough history at 2.61.
"I would practice every day after class my sophomore year. My coach would tell me I can do better on my offensive attack and that's what I focused on and improved upon," Skinner said.
Her time at Kingsborough may be done, but the lessons Skinner learned will carry over to her next chapter in life.
"I feel better prepared to go to a four-year college following my time at Kingsborough. Coming out of high school I had self-confidence issues but when I came to Kingsborough, the professors, coaches, and the campus community helped me prepare to move on to a four-year college like Brooklyn," Skinner said.
It's a sentiment that her head coach also agrees with. "She's so intelligent, not just academically but also in the sport of volleyball. I'm so proud of her, she will go on to do great things," Watson said.
Written by Eldridg Chavez
Video produced by Eddin Martinez
HSS is ranked #1 in the nation for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report for the 10th straight year. No wonder the City University of New York Athletic Conference trust HSS as their official hospital. For more information, please visit www.HSS.edu. During this time of social distancing, HSS has developed resources to adjust to working from home, located on the new HSS Feel Better From Home website.