KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Athletic Trainer Jessie Sotelo has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Association’s Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award.

Established by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in 2023, the Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award seeks to recognize a young MIAA administrator or coach who embodies the principles and core values of the MIAA and its membership – fair competition, academic success and service to others.

The Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award is named in honor of Jerry Hughes, the long-time University of Central Missouri Director of Athletics who passed away in January 2023.

Like Hughes, this individual consistently makes a positive, lasting impact on the lives and experiences of student-athletes, coaches, fellow administrators, community members, and other institutional stakeholders.

“It is a great tribute to Jerry's legacy that another administrator from the University of Central Missouri has been selected as the Association's newest Rising Star Award winner,” said MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy.“Jerry would be very proud of Jessie’s accomplishments and her close work with UCM student-athletes."
Originally from Stockton, Calif., Jessie Sotelo received her bachelor’s degree from the University of the Pacific in 2020 and was accepted into the University of Central Missouri’s graduate program later that year. She worked as a graduate assistant in UCM’s athletic training department while pursuing her master’s degree in Kinesiology. After graduating with her master’s degree in the spring of 2022, Sotelo was hired by the University as a full-time member of the Mules and Jennies athletic training staff.

“Jessie is fully committed to the team she serves and takes the time to develop relationships with our coaches and student-athletes,” said UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Matt Howdeshell.“She ensures our student-athletes can stay on the field as much as possible and knows when to provide care and when to challenge student-athletes. She’s also not afraid to challenge our coaches regarding what is best for student-athletes, forcing them to be sound in their decision-making.”

“Jessie is a calming voice as student-athletes and coaches alike trust her. Our athletes speak to her openly, and most importantly, they listen to her and genuinely believe that she has their best interests in mind,” Howdeshell continued. “She’s a true advocate for the student-athletes she works with. She advocates for their health and well-being in a system that is not easy for young adults to navigate. She’s always working to move student-athletes quickly along through the rehabilitation process while communicating thoroughly and ensuring the best possible outcomes.”

Sotelo handles all athletic training responsibilities for Jennies volleyball, Jennies golf and Mules baseball. In her short time in Warrensburg, Sotelo’s worked closely with over a hundred All-MIAA student-athletes and nine MIAA championship teams (five tournament champions, four regular season champions). She’s also helped Mules Baseball host three NCAA Division II Central Region Championships and joined the team for the 2024 NCAA Division II World Series in Cary, N.C. last spring.

"Jessie is the most complete, well thought of, trainer we have had since I have been here," said UCM head baseball coach Kyle Crookes. "All of the players trust her. All of the coaches trust her and she manages to keep both of them healthy and happy."

“Jessie has done an amazing job taking care of our athletes,” said UCM head volleyball coach Caitlin Peterson. “She is proactive and committed to finding ways for them to be at their best both physically and mentally. They know that she has their best interests in mind and will do whatever it takes to help them perform their best.”

Sotelo is the second UCM administrator to receive the Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award. Former UCM Associate Athletic Director Jeff Mason was the award’s inaugural recipient in 2024.

The MIAA will present Sotelo the Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award on Wednesday, March 26, in Warrensburg, Mo., before the start of UCM baseball’s mid-week game against Washburn. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on the Mules’ Tompkins Field at Crane Stadium.

For more information on the MIAA’s Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award, visit TheMIAA.com/RisingStarAward.