FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  On Wednesday, the Methodist University Department of Athletics announced Tristen Melvin as the recipient of the 2025 Mason Sykes Cup.
 
The award, named after Methodist Hall-of-Fame coach Mason Sykes, has been given annually to the University's top student-athlete since 1986. Voted on by Methodist's head coaches, the winner must demonstrate outstanding athletic achievement while maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
 
Melvin had one of the best seasons in recent Methodist baseball history, ranking in the top 10 in several single-season records, including a batting average of .417 (T-5th), 63 RBIs (sixth), and 75 hits (ninth). This past season, he helped guide the Monarchs to their first regular-season title since 2018 and their first conference tournament championship since 2013. During the team's 25th appearance in the NCAA tournament, Methodist advanced to the regional finals before being eliminated.
 
Since the end of April, Melvin has earned numerous athletic and academic awards. These include being named the USA South Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference, as well as the League's Tournament MVP. He also received First Team All-Region honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association and D3Baseball.com, who later named him an All-American.
 
As the 2024-25 academic year concluded, Melvin earned the honor of being named a MU Senior Scholar-Athlete, a USA South Academic All-Conference team member, and a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team selection. Then, in July, he was recognized as a CSC Academic All-American, followed by being named the USA South's Don Scalf Award winner.
 
Melvin becomes the seventh baseball student-athlete to win the Sykes Cup. He joins Alex Kachler (2020), Mike Rohr (1992), Jay Kirkpatrick (1991), Mike Brewington (1989), Jansen Evans (1988), and Doug Garner (1986).

View the full list of MU Sykes Cup recipients.