Former Youngstown State men's swimmer James Slessor is the 2025-26 recipient of the Horizon League's Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor Award, which recognizes the top male and female League student-athletes, respectively, who best exemplify the dignity and high purpose of the Horizon League and its membership.
Slessor is the first YSU student-athlete, male or female to receive the award.
The award is named for the late Cecil N. Coleman, who served as the Horizon League's first full-time commissioner from 1980 to 1984. Coleman is responsible for much of the success the league enjoys today, including his work to secure automatic qualification for the Horizon League in baseball and men's basketball. Coleman received the NACDA James J. Corbett award in 1985, recognizing his achievement in the field. Individuals shall demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.
The women's recipient of the award was Robert Morris softball student-athlete Courtney Poulich.
During his Youngstown State career, Slessor was a major contributor for the men's swimming and diving program while posting a cumulative 4.00 GPA and serving a variety of leadership roles for the Athletics Department.
"I'm beyond grateful just to have been nominated by Youngstown State, let alone be selected as the recipient of the Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor. It's an incredible privilege, and one I certainly won't take for granted," Slessor said.
"Like any success worth celebrating, this award is the result of so many people investing their time, energy, and belief in me. To my coaches, professors, athletic and academic support staff, teammates, friends, and especially Mum and Dad, thank you. Every one of you has played a part in my journey, and I'm incredibly lucky to have had your support along the way. While my name may be on this award, it's really a reflection of the people who helped me get here. I also know there are so many other student-athletes just as deserving, if not more, of this recognition, and I promise I'll do my absolute best to represent them well."
As a senior, Slessor placed a career-best second in the 100-yard breaststroke while also adding a seventh-place effort in the 200 breast. As a junior, he was third in the 100 breast and fifth in the 200 breast. He recorded a pair of sixth-place finishes in both breaststroke events as a sophomore. As a freshman, he was sixth in the 100 and seventh in the 200 breaststroke.
Additionally, he was a Beeghly Fellow (Ohio Small Business Development Center), the Ohio Export Internship Program Graduate and is Beta Gamma Sigma Member and is a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional.
Former Head Coach Brad Smith praised Slessor for what he meant to the men's program.
"James was a foundational part of our team. By that I mean, he was a multi-year captain who led by example and whose achievements in the pool propelled our team. He had a surgical nature to pursue his goals in swimming and academics. Disciplined describes James who treated swimming like a profession. He was looked up to by his peers for his experience, attitude, and role modeling."
Horizon League Commissioner Jill Bodensteiner acknowledged the efforts of both Slessor and Poulich.
"Quite simply, I am in awe of Courtney and James and all that they have accomplished in the classroom and on the field and in the pool, respectively. Courtney and James represent all that is great about college athletics, and I am excited to see what they achieve in the future. I would also like to thank and congratulate the coaches and administrators at RMU and YSU who have created an environment that fosters elite academic and athletic success."
Slessor added that his time at Youngstown State is something that helped mold him as an athlete, student and person.
"If there's one thing I hope people take away from my story, it's that I'm not someone with extraordinary talent or some secret formula. I set goals, make plans, work hard, fail plenty of times, adjust to setbacks, and keep showing up, time and time again. What some call crazy, others call grit. Grit isn't something you're simply given; it's built through the decisions, mindset, and habits you choose every single day.
I'd also like to thank Youngstown State - colloquially known as "Grit-U" by our teams - for helping me develop that mindset, especially during the moments when things felt uncertain. This university taught me that success isn't about never failing; it's about staying curious, caring deeply about the people around you, and continuing to show up when the outcome isn't guaranteed. It means a great deal to have represented YSU as this year's nominee, and seeing our university also receive the James J. McCafferty Trophy felt like the perfect reflection of the culture we strive to build every day. To me, that award represents perseverance, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence - qualities that at Youngstown State we simply call grit.
If my journey proves anything, I hope it's that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things when they're willing to stay consistent, stay curious, work like crazy, be willing to look a little crazy, care deeply about those around them, and refuse to settle for average.
Thank you to the Horizon League and Youngstown State University for this incredible honor. It means more than I can put into words, and I'll carry it with immense pride and gratitude."
