SoCon

Pinnacle Award

Hall of Fame

<div class="payload-richtext">The Southern Conference awarded its initial Graduation Rate Award at its 1994 spring meeting. The award is presented to the member institution with the highest graduation rate for its student-athletes over the past five years as compiled in the annual NCAA Graduation Rates Report.   1993-94 (1987-92) Furman 1994-95 (1988-93) The Citadel 1995-96 (1989-94) VMI 1996-97 (1990-95) Davidson 1997-98 (1991-96) Wofford 1998-99 (1992-97) Wofford 1999-00 (1993-98) Wofford/Davidson 2000-01 (1994-99) Wofford 2001-02 (1995-2000) Davidson 2002-03 (1996-2001) Davidson 2003-04 (1997-2002) Davidson 2004-05 (1998-2003) Davidson 2005-06 (1999-2004) Davidson 2006-07 (2000-05) Davidson       2007-08 (2001-06) Davidson 2008-09 (2002-07) Davidson 2009-10 (2003-08) Davidson 2010-11 (2004-09) Davidson 2011-12 (2005-10) Davidson 2012-13 (2006-11) Davidson 2013-14 (2007-12) Davidson 2014-15 (2008-13) Wofford 2015-16 (2009-14) Wofford 2016-17 (2010-15) Wofford 2017-18 (2011-16)       2018-19 (2012-17)       2019-20 (2013-18)       2020-21 (2014-19) Samford 2021-22 (2015-20) Samford, Wofford 2022-23 (2016-21) Samford 2023-24 (2017-22) Samford2024-25 (2018-23) Samford</div>

Graduation Rate Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><h1>D.S. McAlister Sportsmanship Award</h1>Inaugurated in 1980, the D.S. McAlister Award is presented annually to the Southern Conference school which is judged to have exhibited the highest degree of sportsmanship in the conduct of its athletic program. The award is named after Col. D.S. McAlister of The Citadel, who served as Southern Conference secretary-treasurer for 38 years.   1979-80                Davidson 1980-81                Furman 1981-82                Furman 1982-83                The Citadel 1983-84                The Citadel 1984-85                VMI 1985-86                VMI 1986-87                Western Carolina 1987-88                VMI 1988-89                VMI 1989-90                VMI 1990-91                VMI 1991-92                VMI 1992-93                VMI 1993-94                Furman 1994-95                Davidson 1995-96                Western Carolina 1996-97                Furman 1997-98                Wofford 1998-99                Davidson 1999-00                VMI 2000-01                VMI 2001-02                Davidson 2002-03                Davidson 2003-04                Wofford 2004-05                Elon 2005-06                Elon 2006-07                Wofford 2007-08                The Citadel 2008-09                Elon 2009-10                Wofford 2010-11                Wofford 2011-12                Samford 2012-13                Furman 2013-14                Wofford 2014-15                Wofford 2015-16                UNCG 2016-17                Wofford 2017-18                Wofford 2018-19                VMI 2019-20                Not awarded (COVID-19) 2020-21                Wofford 2021-22                The Citadel 2022-23                The Citadel 2023-24 The Citadel2024-25 Wofford</div>

D.S. McAlister Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><h1>SoCon Commissioner's and Germann Cups</h1>The Southern Conference annually awards the Commissioner's Cup and Germann Cup to the top men's and women's program in the league based on a points system.   Using a system modeled after the one used in determining the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup, scoring is done on a percentage basis, with only the top seven sports for each school counting toward its season total. The scoring format has been in place since the 2014-15 academic year.   The SoCon sponsors 20 total sports, with 10 men's sports, nine women's sports and one co-ed sport, rifle. The league's co-ed rifle teams count toward the Commissioner's Cup scores, while the schools that also field women's-only rifle squads, The Citadel and VMI, see those scores count toward the Germann Cup. Each sport is worth 10 points, with each spot in the standings given equal measure relative to how many schools sponsor that particular sport. For sports that determine a regular-season champion, there is a two-point bonus for winning the league tournament. Each school's total for the year will be divided by 70, the maximum number of points possible when counting seven sports, to find its percentage. The Commissioner's Cup was first awarded in 1970. Only seven member institutions have won the cup, with former member Appalachian State holding the most with 34. Chattanooga, which broke Appalachian State's streak of 13 straight when it won the 2004-05 cup, won the first one under the new scoring format, edging Mercer by just 0.0002 points to claim the 2014-15 edition for its second Cup win. ETSU (6), William & Mary (5), East Carolina (4), Furman (2) and Samford (1) have all won the Commissioner's Cup.   The Germann Cup was first awarded in 1987 and is named after former SoCon commissioner Ken Germann, who passed away in 2005. Only five schools have won the award, beginning with Appalachian State claiming the first five of its 10 total from 1987-92. Furman won the first of its record 17 Germann Cups in the 1992-93 academic year, including 12 straight from 1992-2004 before former member College of Charleston first won it in 2004-05. Chattanooga claimed its first Cup in 2007-08, with Samford winning its first in 2009-10 and claiming the inaugural title under the new scoring format in 2014-15.   Commissioner's Cup (men) <a href="/article/bltea230e03bcd22f9a/">
 Past champions, standings
 </a> Germann Cup (women) <a href="/article/blt0ff3ed83bc2b920d/">
 Past champions, standings
 </a></div>

Commissioner's Cup

<div class="payload-richtext">The Barrett-Bonner Award is given to the Southern Conference school that places the highest percentage of its student-athletes on the league's academic honor roll.  The award was first presented in 1994, for the 1992-93 academic year. The award is named after Col. John G. Barrett, faculty athletics representative at VMI from 1965-87, and Dr. Francis W. Bonner, faculty athletics representative at Furman from 1968-90. 1992-93         Davidson 1993-94         Davidson 1994-95         Davidson 1995-96         Davidson 1996-97         Davidson 1997-98         Davidson 1998-99         Davidson 1999-00         Davidson 2000-01         Davidson 2001-02         Davidson 2002-03         Davidson 2003-04         College of Charleston 2004-05         Davidson 2005-06         Davidson 2006-07         Davidson 2007-08         Furman 2008-09         Davidson 2009-10         Davidson 2010-11         Davidson 2011-12         Davidson 2012-13         Davidson 2013-14         Davidson 2014-15         Wofford 2015-16         Mercer 2016-17         Mercer 2017-18         Mercer 2018-19         Mercer 2019-20         Mercer 2020-21         Mercer 2021-22         Mercer 2022-23         Mercer 2023-24 Mercer2024-25 Mercer  </div>

Barrett-Bonner Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><h1>All-Southern Conference Faculty & Staff Awards</h1>A byproduct of the SoCon Academic Exchange, the Southern Conference annually honors faculty and staff members who have demonstrated the common characteristics of dedicated service to their institution and contributions to both campus life and the local region their institution serves. Recipients of these All-Southern Conference awards are determined by their institution's administration. Faculty members have demonstrated strong contributions to teaching, research and/or service. Staff members are recognized for bringing out the best in others in their collegiate community and creating conditions for student success. All recipients receive an engraved plaque presented by the Commissioner at a home basketball game. Faculty Award Recipients <a href="/article/blt36ae123996b3f0d1/">
 2014-15
 </a> Ha Van Ho, Mercer, Assoc. Professor, Biomedical Engineering <a href="/article/bltd4c64fd14130fd70/">
 2015-16
 </a> Scott Buchanan, The Citadel, Assoc. Professor, Political Science Randy Byington, ETSU, Assoc. Professor, Allied Health Sciences J. Aaron Simmons, Furman, Assoc. Professor, Philosophy Adam Kiefer, Mercer, Assoc. Professor, Chemistry Nicholas Oberlies, UNCG, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry Elizabeth Dobbins, Samford, Professor, Natural Sciences Michael Jones, Chattanooga, Professor, Mechanical Engineering James Turner, VMI, Professor, Biology Hollye Moss, Western Carolina, Professor, Management Carol Wilson, Wofford, Professor, English <a href="/article/blt9ab485eb9bfd59a9/">
 2016-17
 </a> Melanie Maddox, The Citadel, Assoc. Professor, History Andrea Clements, ETSU, Professor, Psychology Sandy Roberson, Furman, Professor, Accounting Laura Lackey, Mercer, Professor, Engineering Jerry Walsh, UNCG, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry Robert Hensarling, Samford, Assoc. Professor, Kinesiology Gretchen Potts, Chattanooga, Professor, Chemistry Grigg Mullen, VMI, Professor, Civil and Environ. Engineering David Claxton, Western Carolina, Professor, Health & Recreation Nancy Williams, Wofford, Assoc. Professor, Philosophy <a href="/article/blta784b8b477197cdb/">
 2017-18
 </a> Robert Riggle, The Citadel, Assoc. Professor, Marketing Allan Forsman, ETSU, Professor, Health Sciences Danielle Vinson, Furman, Professor, Politics & International Affairs Geoffrey Ngene, Mercer, Assoc. Professor, Finance Jacqueline DeBrew, UNCG, Clinical Professor, Nursing Jonathan Davis, Samford, Professor, Human Development Valerie Rutledge, Chattanooga, Dean, College of Health & Education Wakeel Idewu, VMI, Assoc. Professor, Civil and Env. Engineering Winford Gordon, Western Carolina, Professor, Psychology Jim Neighbors, Wofford, Assoc. Professor, English <a href="/article/blte5d54b6fabc79c57/">
 2018-19
 </a> Matthew Zommer, The Citadel, Faculty, Criminal Justice Amy Greene, ETSU, Assoc. Professor, Sport, Exercise, Recreation, & Kinesiology William Pierce, Furman, Professor, Health Sciences R. Scott Nash, Mercer, Professor, Religion Gabriela Stein, UNCG, Assoc. Professor, Clinical Psychology Mark S. Gignilliat, Samford, Professor, Divinity Jamie Harvey, Chattanooga, Assoc. Professor, Health and Human Performance Tom Baur, VMI, Faculty, Biology (ret.; honored posthumously) Yue Cai Hillon, Western Carolina, Assoc. Professor, Business William Eddie Richardson, Wofford, Professor, Accounting and Finance <a href="/article/blte0bdc5eb2f79494e/">
 2019-20
 </a> Dr. James Bezjian, The Citadel, Asst. Professor, Entrepreneurship Dr. Joe D. Moore, ETSU, Assoc. Professor, Music Dr. Virginia W. Gerde, Furman, Professor, Strategic Management and Business Ethics Dr. Sybil Keesbury, Mercer, Assoc. Professor, Special Education Dr. Tom Martinek, UNCG, Professor, Kinesiology Dr. Emily Hynds, Samford, Professor, Mathematics Dr. Debbie Ingram, Chattanooga, Professor, Physical Therapy Col. Jack B. “Jay” Johnson Jr., VMI, Professor, Physical Education Dr. Channa De Silva, Western Carolina, Assoc. Professor of Chemistry Dr. Dan Mathewson, Wofford, Assoc. Professor of Religion <a href="/article/blt0ba395c196aa8392/">
 2020-21
 </a> Dr. Chip Taylor, The Citadel, Head of Department of Psychology Dr. Virginia Foley, ETSU, Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Dr. Marian Strobel, Furman, Professor, History Dr. Mahkin Thitsa, Mercer, Assoc. Professor, School of Engineering Dr. Jeremy Bray, UNCG, Professor, Economics; Interim Head of Department of Economics Dr. Celeste Hill, Samford, Assoc. Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science Dr. Christine Benz Smith, Chattanooga, Director, School of Nursing; Chief Health Affairs Officer Col. Timothy Hodges, VMI, Professor; Head of Department of Physics and Astronomy Dr. Kelly R. Kelley, Western Carolina, Assoc. Professor, Inclusive/Special Education; University Participant Program Director Dr. Anna Catllá, Wofford, Assoc. Professor of Mathematics; Director, Center for Innovation and Learning <a href="/article/bltb7b03486b09c9e1a/">
 2021-22
 </a> Dr. Kevin Skenes, The Citadel, Asst. Professor, Mechanical Engineering Dr. Natalie Smith, ETSU, Assoc. Professor, Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation, and Kinesiology Dr. Scott Murr, Furman, Assist. Professor, Health Sciences Department Dr. Chris Grant, Mercer, Professor, Political Science Dr. Chris Kepley, UNC Greensboro, Assoc. Professor, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering Larry Harper, Samford, Assist. Professor, Brock School of Business Dr. Mark Schorr, Chattanooga, UC Foundation Professor, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science Col. James A. Coale, VMI, Professor and Head, Department of Physical Education Dr. Alvin Malesky, Western Carolina, Head, Psychology Department Dr. Jameica B. Hill, Wofford, Chair, Chemistry Department <a href="/api/media/file/015feb82-fc7d-45e3-bddc-a3b2b4516473-All-Southern_20Conference_20Faculty_20and_20Staff_20Team_20announced.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2022-23
 </a> Dr. Deirdre Ragan, The Citadel, Asst. Professor, Mechanical Engineering Dr. Don Good, ETSU, Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Dr. John Harris, Furman, Professor, Mathematics, Director of the Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection Dr. Caryn Seney, Mercer, Professor, Chemistry Dr. Susan Phillips Keane, UNC Greensboro, Professor, Psychology Laura Promer, Samford, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Communication Sciences and Disorders Department Dr. Michael D. Thompson, Chattanooga, UC Foundation Assoc. Professor, American History, Head of History Department Col. Tom Timmes, VMI, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Dr. Cyndy Caravelis, Western Carolina, Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice Dr. Cecile Nowatka, Wofford, Chair, Department of Psychology2023-24Dr. Alexandra Macdonald, The Citadel, Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Russ Brown, EtSU, Professor of Biomedical Sciences Dr. Jeff Yankow, Furman, Professor of Economics Stephanie Morris, Mercer, Senior Lecturer in Accounting Dr. Stuart Marcovitch, UNCG, Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Patrick Marsh, Samford, Assistant Professor of Sport Administration Dr. Liz Hathaway, Chattanooga, Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance COL. Jeff Kendrick, VMI, Professor of French Alesia Jennings, Western Carolina, Associate Instructor of Chemistry Dr. John Lefebvre, Wofford, Professor of Psychology<a href="https://soconsports.com/article/bltbafdb9a9dc31d04f/">
 2024-25
 </a>Sarah Imam, MD, The Citadel, Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance Dr. Taylor Stevenson, ETSU, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics and Finance in the College of Business and Technology Dr. Tim Wardle, Furman, Associate professor of New Testament and chair of the Religion Department Philip T. McCreanor, Ph.D., Mercer, Professor in Mercer University’s School of Engineering Dr. Malcolm Schug, UNCG, Professor and department head in the department of biology Joe Cory, Samford, Professor of Art Dr. DeAnna Beasley, Chattanooga, UC Foundation Associate Professor Mattie Smith, VMI, Instructor of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies Dr. Ericka Zimmerman, Western Carolina, Director of the School of Health Sciences and Professor Dr. Jessica Tomkins, Wofford, Assistant Professor of History at Wofford Staff Award Recipients <a href="/article/blt8f52fb92154bdb66/">
 2016-17
 </a> Sally Keltner, The Citadel, Admin. Asst., Office of the Commandant Stefanie Murphy, ETSU, Academic Counselor Rob Carson, Furman, Asst. Dir., Office of Academic Assistance Emily French, Mercer, Coordinator of Sports Operations Brett Carter, UNCG, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Michelle Durban, Samford, Sr. Associate Athletic Director & SWA Lisa Tarr, Chattanooga, Academic Coordinator, Football Program Lance Fujiwara, VMI, Head Ath. Trainer, Dir. of Sports Medicine Christy Wyatt, Western Carolina, Counselor, Counseling & Psych. Services Phillip Stone, Wofford, Head Archivist <a href="/article/blt9f2d71d18ce32496/">
 2017-18
 </a> Kate Brown, The Citadel, Asst. Dir., Academic Support Center Libby Tipton, ETSU, Interpreter Coordinator for Deaf Students Mickey McCauley, Furman, Exercise Specialist, Furman Fitness Center Allie Ware, Mercer, Asst. Dir., Mercer Athletic Foundation Cherry Callahan, UNCG, Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs Glenda Martin, Samford, Admin. Asst., Howard College of the Arts Emily Quinn, Chattanooga, Asst. Dir., Disability Resource Center Evan Simmons, VMI, Supervisor, Facilities & Maintenance Beth Moore, Western Carolina, Support Associate, School of Art & Design Brian Lemere, Wofford, Assoc. Director, Student Affairs <a href="/api/media/file/72c26eb7-ffc5-4df1-abbd-c484f1b858bf-12_12_18_20All-SoCon_20Faculty_20and_20Staff_20Team_20announced.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2018-19
 </a> Lori Hedstrom, The Citadel, Director of Executive Events Ronda Gross, ETSU, Asst. Director, Scholarship Office Vince Moore, Furman, Director of News and Media Relations Jim Tessmer, Mercer, Athletics Department Event Coordinator Melanie Carter, UNCG, Business Officer/Office Staff Manager, Psychology Department Ginger Robertson, Samford, Admin. Asst., Brock School of Business Melanie Ribaric, Chattanooga, College Access Advisor, Educational Opportunity Center Vern Beitzel, VMI, Director of Admissions Mark Haskett, Western Carolina, Director of Photography and Videography Services Elizabeth Dashiell Wallace, Wofford, Assoc. Vice President for Student Affairs <a href="/api/media/file/6e5f360e-ee4e-408e-b540-4da4c626409c-12_13_19_20All-SoCon_20Faculty_20and_20Staff_20Team_20announced.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2019-20
 </a> Stanton Adams, The Citadel, Marketing Specialist Jay Seehorn, ETSU, Supervisor of Central Receiving Elaine Baker, Furman, Director of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Operation/SWA Myra Cameron, Mercer, Administrative/Eligibility Coordinator John Chapman, UNCG, Co-founder of North Carolina Sales Institute Theresa Kanute, Samford, One Stop Advisor Terry Denniston, Chattanooga, Chief of Staff for the Chancellor Col. Sarah L. Jones, VMI, Director of the Center for Cadet Counseling/Director for the Office of Disabilities Services Dr. Lowell K. Davis, Western Carolina, Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Student Success Curt McPhail, Wofford, Executive Director of The Space <a href="/api/media/file/caa89742-2588-4eb3-b3ef-4b2b0abad7f0-12_17_20_20All-SoCon_20Faculty_20and_20Staff_20Team_20announced.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2020-21
 </a> Henry Bouton, The Citadel, Director of Intramurals and Extramural Sports Janet Stork, ETSU, Event and Project Coordinator for the College of Public Health Todd Duke, Furman, Assoc. Athletics Director of Facilities and Game Operations Matt Brownback, Mercer, Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Support Services Amy Collins Moore, UNCG, Business Officer and Executive Assistant to the Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts Paige Mathis, Samford, Asst. Director of Athletics for Academics Endia Butler, Chattanooga, Student Employment Coordinator, Financial Aid Office Chief Michael Marshall, VMI, Police Chief Courtney Gauthier, Western Carolina, Assoc. Director of Career Integrated Learning, Center for Career and Professional Development Lisa Lefebvre, Wofford, Director, Employee Wellness and Medical Services <a href="/api/media/file/4ffbdc7f-d22d-4d97-96b5-15ae5935f968-12_20_21_20All-SoCon_20Faculty_20and_20Staff_20Team_20announced.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2021-22 
 </a>Stephanie Fye, The Citadel, Asst. Director and Employee Relations Manager, Career Center Jeff Shell, ETSU, Coach, Esports Dr. Brad Harmon, Furman, Assist. Dean, First-Year and Second-Year Experience Rick Cameron, Mercer, Senior Assist. Vice President for Marketing Communications Zach Smith, UNC Greensboro, Assist. Vice Chancellor for Emergency and Risk Management James Carlson, Samford, Assist. AD for Facilities, Game Operations and Equipment Christopher Stokes, Chattanooga, Assist. Director of Multicultural Affairs Dr. David Copeland, VMI, Director, VMI Infirmary Roger Turk, Western Carolina, Grounds Superintendent, Facilities Management Department Jeff Burney, Wofford, Director of Housekeeping and Event Services <a href="/api/media/file/775ee2ea-9a00-40bd-aaa4-128d335728d1-1_4_23_20All-Southern_20Conference_20Faculty_20and_20Staff_20Team_20announced.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2022-23
 </a> Kester Melville, The Citadel, Grounds Crew Leader Relations Manager, Career Center Levi Smith, ETSU, Coach, Coordinator for Transfer Evaluation and Articulated Programs Hunter Reid, Furman, Sports Information Director Katie Johnson, Mercer, Director of Access and Accommodation/ADA Coordinator Melinda Wolf, UNC Greensboro, Admin. Assistant in the Psychology Department Doug Wilson, Samford, Assistant Vice President of Advancement Will Watson, Chattanooga, Workforce Development Specialist in Center for Professional Education Sergeant Major Tom Sowers, VMI, Institute and Corps Sergeant Major Brian Boyer, Western Carolina, Residential Case Manager Dr. James Stukes, Wofford, Assistant Dean for Student Success and College Access2023-24Diana Herrmann, The Citadel. Assistant Director of Employer Recruitment Brandi Huskey, ETSU, Interim Director of Off-Campus Programs Nancy Cooper, Furman, Coordinator of Furman's Heller Service Corps Delaney Ryan, Mercer, Assistant Athletic Director/ Support Services (SWA) Trina Porcher, UNCG, Business Officer in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Leslie Armstrong, Samford, Academic Advisor - Howard College of Arts and Sciences Theresa Blackman, Chattanooga, Assistant Director of Pre-Health Student Services Michelle Murphy, VMI, Executive Assistant for Intercollegiate Athletics April Tallant, Western Carolina, Senior Educational Developer - Coulter Faculty Common and Associate Professor of Health Science Tammie Burgess, Wofford, Assistant Registrar<a href="https://soconsports.com/article/bltbafdb9a9dc31d04f/">
 2024-25
 </a> Heyward G. Hutson III, The Citadel, Assistant Commandant for Discipline Dr. Stacy Cummings-Onks, ETSU, Director of the University Advisement Center and Director of the Learning Support Program Rolyn Rollins, Furman, Program Coordinator for Student Initiatives with the Cothran Center Michael Junod, Mercer, Director of the University Center at Mercer Dr. Kristy Howell, UNCG, Associate Director in the Institute for Community and Economic Engagement JeNorri Armstead, Samford, Senior Associate AD for Internal Affairs Terrence Banks, Chattanooga, Associate Director of Recruitment LTC Shannon Eskam, VMI, Assistant Superintendent of Enrollment Management and Director of Financial Aid Holli Stillman, Western Carolina, Assistant to the Provost Wofford Workday Rockstars, Wofford, Trey Arrington, Kent Brannon, Courtney Dobbins, Lani Foster, Brittany McDowell, Franklin Pettit, and Raymond Ruff</div>

Faculty/Staff All-Conference

<div class="payload-richtext"><h1>SoCon Athletes of the Month archive</h1>Click the links below for lists of all Southern Conference Athletes of the Month for that academic year.<a href="/api/media/file/331bfe78-4141-43b4-8f2f-4e06a42aed84-2023_24_AOTM.pdf">
 2023-24
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/4afa1748-739f-4c5c-8f78-813e0dbed605-2022_23_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2022-23
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/6dda9fc5-5c52-42c9-9af2-df15ca0a944e-2021_22_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2021-22
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/3a2cd67c-4f0d-4ef7-8f76-ce101e55439e-2020_21_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2020-21
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/9148f606-832a-45b3-b268-c66858a036f5-2019_20_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2019-20
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/349332dc-37c4-4075-b8ea-7c4bd8e54f7a-2018_19_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2018-19
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/3d032328-189c-436a-910d-1ba8b6175f26-2017_18_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2017-18
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/466f51c5-392e-41d5-aa3a-9cb8e5962bd9-2016_17_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2016-17
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/5f1d0abd-dca4-4a19-93b5-3be2955fc0d4-2015_16_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2015-16
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/7b8877eb-71aa-4785-b3a9-3a7f2fce211a-2014_15_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2014-15
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/1a46261f-aabf-4c3b-992d-e3a98a4b5a81-2013_14_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2013-14
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/cbc3f74a-e000-4c28-a0f5-9d466ee58bad-2012_13_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2012-13
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/dfd9b7ab-2158-4634-b53c-e4dbff011e81-2011_12_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2011-12
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/4c9698e9-2fc4-4b31-89bd-ea7e5835915d-2010_11_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2010-11
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/fb2060c9-f1d8-4d3f-a478-ee2634a38181-2009_10_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2009-10
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/22b6147d-8cb6-490b-bf0f-03b73b77ae6f-2008_09_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2008-09
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/dcbe2262-6d35-4041-a0d9-bc41200f9359-2007_08_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2007-08
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/7af00be4-8961-40cc-8e7d-b6ffcb1ff342-2006_07_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2006-07
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/e2b20c15-c36d-4f96-81a9-48a47248a00d-2005_06_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2005-06
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/39577a94-02ac-486e-9f08-e0fc196d3c22-2004_05_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2004-05
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/bf4592ce-ea1d-4214-aba3-7f69068f492a-2003_04_AOTM.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 2003-04
 </a></div>

Athletes of the Month

2024_AOTY.webp

<div class="payload-richtext"><h1>ETSU’s Ege, Furman’s Morgan named SoCon Athletes of the Year</h1><h3>Ege becomes the Bucs’ third honoree, Morgan wins for the third consecutive year</h3> <a href="/article/blta96166b755cd4122/">
 Past Male Winners
 </a><a href="/article/blt34a5a570fd55940e/">
 Past Female Winners
 </a> SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman golfer Anna Morgan has been named the 2023-24 Southern Conference Female Athlete of the Year and ETSU golfer Mats Ege has been voted the Bob Waters Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year, the league announced Monday.The Athlete of the Year Awards are selected annually by the Southern Conference athletics directors and a media member representing each conference school. The award recognizes athletic achievement, academic performance and civic involvement. Prior to 1990-91, the award was selected solely by members of the Southern Conference Sports Media Association. Beginning in 1991-92, the men's award was named after the late Bob Waters, who was Western Carolina's head football coach from 1969-88.Morgan is the first SoCon woman to earn three consecutive honors, claiming the Paladins’ 13th SoCon Female Athlete of the Year honor. Morgan is Furman’s fifth straight SoCon Female Athlete of the Year, following former teammate Natalie Srinivasan, who won in 2019-20 and went on to play on the Epson Tour, and professional Adidas runner Gabbi Jennings, who claimed the honor in 2020-21.The Spartanburg, South Carolina, native led the league in stroke average for the third straight season with a 70.1 mark over 33 rounds, which is the lowest single-season stroke average in program history, en route to being named the SoCon Player of the Year for the third straight season. Morgan posted seven top-5 finishes in 11 tournaments, including being the medalist at the SoCon Championship for the second straight time. She also competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur for the third year in a row.Furman’s Edna Hartness Female Athlete of the Year for the third straight year, Morgan earned All-SoCon honors for the fourth straight season. Morgan finished the season ranked No. 17 nationally and will represent the United States at the Arnold Palmer Cup this summer. She was a five-time SoCon Player of the Week in 2023-24, extending her league-record to 13 selections, and was the SoCon Player of the Month five times, bringing her career total to nine.Off the golf course, Morgan graduated with a 3.6 GPA in politics and international affairs. She is a member of the Lambda Pi Eta honor society for communications studies and was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team and WGCA All-America Scholar Team. Morgan is also a member of Kappa Delta sorority, which raised money for the Julie Valentine Center, a nonprofit that provides services to sexual assault and child abuse survivors. Morgan also worked with local Girl Scout troops through Kappa Delta.Ege is ETSU’s third winner of the Bob Waters SoCon Male Athlete of the Year award and the first Buccaneer to claim the award since B.J. Adigun in 1997-98.Ege was named SoCon Player of the Year for the second time this season. The Kristiansand, Norway, native became the Bucs’ sixth PING First Team All-American this season and was named to the Ben Hogan Watch List and a finalist for the Haskins Award. Ege, who was the medalist at the SoCon Championship for the second straight year, finished the season ranked No. 9 nationally.A two-time winner of SoCon Player of the Week, Ege produced a scoring average of 69.25, which set a single-season program record. Ege registered 33 sub-par rounds and played the holes at 86-under-par. In October, Ege set a school, tournament and course record with a 10-under-par 62 in the opening round of the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate. He finished that event at 16-under-par 200, marking the second-lowest 54-hole total in program history.The ETSU Male Athlete of the Year graduated with a degree in Management in May 2024, finishing with a 3.45 GPA. Ege earned a SoCon Commissioner’s Medal in 2022-23 and was a three-time SoCon Honor Roll recipient. He was named SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week twice during the 2023-24 school year.In the community, Ege assisted with several community service events, including helping at Bucky’s Boo Bash where members of ETSU men’s golf team dressed up and passed out candy to children in the Tri-Cities Area. He also participated in a kids clinic at Town Acres Elementary School.</div>

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