ORLANDO, FLA—South Carolina State tight end Temarrick Hemingway was the recipient of the 2015 Walter Payton Achievement Award sponsored by Disney Friday, (Sept.4) at the 11^th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff Banquet at the Walt Disney Resort.
 
 The award recognizes exemplary student-athletes, shining a light on character and embodiment of team spirit. The award was presented by Walter Payton's son, Jarrett Payton.
 
The keynote speaker for the evening was ESPN commentator and radio personality Stephen A. Smith, who addressed players and coaches from both Arkansas-Pine Bluff and South Carolina State inside the Epcot Center. Sports Center anchor Jay Harris emceed the banquet for the ninth straight year.
 
Past winners of the Walter Payton Achievement Award include, for 2014: Alan Cruz, Alabama A&M, and Quentin Todd, North Carolina A&T State University; 2013: Jonathan Pillow, Florida A&M University, and Kevin Eugene, Mississippi Valley State University; 2012: Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State University, and Arlen McCray-Nibbs, Bethune-Cookman University; 2011: Nesly Marcellon, Bethune-Cookman University, and Raheem Cardwell, Prairie View A&M University; 2010: Kevin Green, Delaware State University, and Gary Hollimon, Southern University; 2009: Van Phillips, Grambling State University, and Zachary Middleton, South Carolina State University; 2008: Kevin Teel, Hampton University, and Marcus Smith, Jackson State University.
 
This year's MEAC/SWAC Challenge will feature the MEAC's South Carolina State against the SWAC's University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 6, live on ESPN at the newly renovated Orlando Citrus Bowl.
 
The season-opening game annually puts the spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Several additional events take place around the game, including a high school career panel, a pep rally, tailgate and the halftime Battle of the Bands.
 
Tickets to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney can be purchased through Ticketmaster online, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or by visitingwww.meacswacchallenge.com. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN.