Maxwell announces athlete of the year Published July 28, 2015 By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Capt. Maurice McKoy, 331st Recruiting Squadron Support Flight commander, was announced as Maxwell's 2014 Athlete of the Year. McKoy received the award in honor of his accomplishments in sports participation, community involvement and work ethic. "I've known Capt. McKoy for a while, since he's been in the intramural program, and he is just an awesome person on and off the court," said Melanie Gess, 42nd Force Support Squadron sports director. McKoy's father introduced him to racquetball 20 years ago and he has been playing ever since. In 2011, his competitive nature and drive for success landed him a spot on the Air Force racquetball team for the last four years. McKoy practices all year long with the Air Force racquetball team to compete in the annual national singles championship. To keep his skills sharp, he plays with other players from Montgomery, Alabama, and Atlanta. McKoy also competes in tournaments across the country at least twice a month, earning three first-place trophies and a second-place trophy. To stay in shape, he maintains a rigorous workout routine to keeps his reflexes fast. "I do a lot of drilling; I pick a 'shot of the day' and I hit about 800 shots of that same shot over and over again," said McKoy. "I run at least 25 miles each week and then do normal strength training." McKoy puts aside time to share racquetball with the younger generation to promote the sport to disadvantaged youth. He has donated $500 worth of professional equipment to the Mississippi junior racquetball program, contributed $250 to the North Carolina Racquetball Juniors Scholarship Fund and spends time as a mentor to youth. The captain's dedication and competitiveness doesn't stop with racquetball. He displays the same enthusiasm for excellence in the work place, as well. McKoy was awarded the 369th Recruiting Group Top Support Flight Commander Award for the third quarter of 2014, the 331st RCS Company Grade Officer of the quarter twice and the 331st RCS Company Grade Officer of the Year for 2014. Maxwell's Athlete of the Year program is an offshoot from the Air Force Athlete of the Year program, said Gess. Athletes who compete in base intramural or varsity sports or at the Air Force level are eligible to compete in the Maxwell program.