The New Orleans Sports Awards Committee began in 1957 when James Collins spearheaded a group of sports journalists to form a sports awards committee to immortalize local sports history. For 13 years, the Committee honored local athletes each month. In 1970, the Sugar Bowl® stepped in to sponsor and revitalize the Committee, leading to the 1971 creation of the New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, honoring 10 legends from the Crescent City in its first induction class. While adding the responsibility of selecting Hall of Famers, the Committee has continued to recognize the top non-professional athlete in the New Orleans area each month – the honors entered their 70th year in 2026. To be eligible, an athlete must be a native of the greater New Orleans area or must compete in the metropolitan region. Each of the monthly award winners are honored in the summer at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Sports Awards Ceremony.
Nick Kelsey of Covington, La., has been named the August Allstate Sugar Bowl Athlete of the Month, presented by LCMC Health. The award has been given out by the New Orleans Sports Awards Committee since 1957 to athletes who are either natives of the greater New Orleans area or compete for a team based in the metropolitan region.
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Kelsey earned the honor after winning the 2026 Mackel New Orleans Metro Championship in early August at Bayou Oaks at City Park, outlasting a field of 84 of the top amateur golfers in the Greater New Orleans area.
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The Mackel New Orleans Metro Championship presented by LCMC Health is held in honor of the late Frank Mackel and has been held since 1993. The Mackel serves as the premier amateur golf championship in the Greater New Orleans area. The Mackel is produced by the Kelly Gibson Foundation.
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Kelsey opened the tournament with a 6-under-par 66, sharing the first-round lead with 2025 Mackel Champion Pat Blaum. Niel Phillips sat one stroke back after a 5-under 67.
In the final round, Kelsey strung together birdies on the ninth and 10th holes, then added another on No. 16 to reclaim the lead. He tapped in for par on the final hole to secure the title by one stroke over Phillips and Jonathan Jeter, who tied for second.
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Kelsey was chosen for the August award over four other outstanding local athletes:
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Robert Baker (Track and Field)
A Metairie resident, Baker, who is 80 years of age, competed in the World Masters (Seniors) Track and Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea in August. Baker finished second in the world (silver medal) in the decathlon competition, third (bronze medal) in the pole vault, and third (bronze medal) in the javelin throw. Also, this past week in the competition, Baker finished fourth in the discus and seventh in the shotput competition.
Everett Denny (New Orleans Boosters)
Everett Denny batted .458 in 6 games for the New Orleans Boosters during the 2026 AAABA National Tournament in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In 28 plate appearances and 24 at-bats, Denny totaled 11 hits, including 9 singles, 1 double and 4 RBI, with 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, and 1 hit by pitch. His .519 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage helped lead New Orleans on a five-game win streak through pool play and into the AAABA Championship game, where the Boosters fell to host Johnstown in a 5-2 loss for the title. Defensively, Denny had 11 putouts in the outfield for a 1.000 fielding percentage in the tournament. Denny recently completed his sophomore season at Delgado Community College and transferred to Southeastern University to join the Lions' baseball program this fall.Â
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Hannah Ellis (Mobile Volleyball)
Ellis, a graduate of Fontainebleau High School, has been the primary setter for Mobile to open her sophomore season. The Rams have posted a 9-1 record, and Ellis leads the team with 185 assists. She's also second on the team with 87 digs. She has been in double digits in assists for each match, including six matches with 20-plus assists.
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Tamaj Hoffman (Nicholls State Football)
Hoffman, a Slidell High graduate, opened his senior season at Nicholls by running seven times for 53 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and a pair of touchdowns as the Colonels took down Mississippi Valley State, 44-10, on Aug. 27. Hoffman also had a 17-yard reception. His touchdowns came on second quarter runs of 13 and seven yards as the Colonels pushed their advantage to 31-0. The 5-9, 210-pounder transferred from Delta State to Nicholls last year and looked solid to open the season before suffering a season-ending injury.
Allstate Sugar Bowl Athletes of the Month
2025
2024
