ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Awards Announced

6/19/2007 6:16:07 PM

RICHARDSON, Texas –– Twenty five graduating student-athletes from 13 American Southwest Conference member institutions have been named as recipients of the 2006-07 ASC Scholar-Athlete Award on their respective campuses, the ASC office announced on Tuesday.

The ASC Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to one male and one female member of the graduating class who has compiled the most outstanding record in academics, athletics and leadership over their collegiate career. The award is presented annually by the Faculty Athletics Representative at each conference member institution.

Recipients of the 2006-07 ASC Scholar-Athlete Award represent eight different conference sports and include individuals who graduated with academic honors or hold admissions to graduate-level programs; are members of academic honor societies and campus organizations; competed on conference or division championship teams; earned ASC All-Academic, All-Conference or All-Division honors; and who served as volunteers, tutors and teachers within their campus, community and church groups.

School	Scholar-Athlete	Major(s)	Sport(s)	Hometown
Concordia Texas	Dan Darden	Biology	Soccer	Houston, Texas
	Megan Rogers	Behavioral Science	Basketball	Smithville, Texas
Hardin-Simmons	Roy Lehman	Biology	Tennis	Vernon, Texas
	Virginia Aguilar	Computer Science	Volleyball	Kahleheo, Hawaii
Howard Payne	Michael Rudwick	Mathematics	Football	Copperas Cove, Texas
	Jill McLaughlin	Business	Softball	Brock, Texas
LeTourneau	Ryan Potter	Biomedical Engineering	Soccer	San Antonio, Texas
	Heidi McGraner	Kinesiology / Ex. Science	Basketball	Sugar Land, Texas
Louisiana College	Gene Taylor	English	Baseball	Bryceland, La.
Mary Hardin-Baylor	Chris Poole	Exercise and Sports Science	Basketball	Belton, Texas
	Veronica Delgado	Bus. Admin. / Marketing	Basketball	McAllen, Texas
McMurry	Adam Cherry	Accounting	Tennis	Spearman, Texas
	Symbri Tuttle	Multidisciplinary Studies	Basketball	Arlington, Texas
Mississippi College	Michael Ward	Business Administration	Tennis	Clinton, Miss.
	Lacey Kennedy	Kinesiology	Basketball	Brookhaven, Miss.
Ozarks	Ryan Skelly	Business Administration	Soccer	Plano, Texas
	Jeanne Randall	Biology	Basketball / Softball	Bryant, Ark.
Schreiner	Kevin Deans	Exercise Science	Basketball	San Antonio, Texas
	Liberty Liesmann	Exercise Science	Basketball	Blanco, Texas
Sul Ross State	Bryan Kung	History	Track a& Field	San Antonio, Texas
	Dyanna Montoya	Biology	Tennis	Fabens, Texas
Texas Dallas	Andrina Arenas	Biology	Softball	Richardson, Texas
	Mark Cox	Accounting / Info. Mgmt.	Baseball	Coldspring, Texas
Texas Lutheran	Jake Robbins	Physics / Mathematics	Football	La Vernia, Texas
	Natalie Wood	Mathematics	Track & Field	Cibolo, Texas

Biographical information on the ASC Scholar-Athlete Award recipients follow:

ASC 2006-07 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD RECIPIENTS

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY AT AUSTIN

Dan Darden
Major: Biology
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Houston, TX
Four-year letter winner in Soccer at Concordia University … Prior to enrolling at Concordia Darden spent five years in the United States Navy serving our country as an engineering watch supervisor … While at Concordia he served as team captain during the 2004-2006 seasons along with CUA male athlete of the year in 2004 and 2005 … Elected the Vice President of Student Leadership Association for the 2004-2005 and 2006-2007 school years … Representative on the Austin Mayor’s Council on Student Affairs in 2004-2006 … Active Concordia Athlete all while maintaining GPA of above a 3.5 … After graduation plans on continuing his career goals to be a college soccer coach.

Megan Rogers
Major: Behavioral Science
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Smithville, TX
Was as four year letter winner and three year starter at Concordia University for the Women’s Basketball program … Served as team captain her Junior and Senior seasons … Represented the Women’s program on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for the past three years … Graduated with a grade point average over 3.5 and an All-Academic Selection in 2005 and 2006 … Volunteered at the Woman’s Crisis center, assisting in phone conversations with women and their children in situations of domestic violence … Assisted in programs to feed the homeless of Travis County all while serving as an active member of the Behavioral Science group on campus … In the fall semester, will be attending Texas State graduate school in pursuit of her Masters in Social Work … Career goals are to travel abroad and help disadvantaged children of third world countries attain better living conditions and futures.

HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY

Roy Lehman
Major: Biology
Sport: Tennis
Hometown: Vernon, Texas
Graduated with a 4.0 in biology and also played either No. 2 or 3 for four ASC Championship teams … Named to the President's List eight consecutive semesters, he has a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 … Member of Gamma Beta Phi Society national honor and service organization, a Who's Who Among American College Students … Won the HSU Board of Young Associates Tomorrow's Leaders Today Award … Won the Holland Medal, the top biology student graduating in 2007 … Received the Holland Scholarship in Biology … Has been named to the National Dean's List for three years … Member of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and the National Scholar's Honor Society. Active in the Pre-health Club … Served as vice president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee at HSU … Won the George Skiles award, which is presented to a senior man who excels in character, personal development and service to the university.

Virginia Aguilar
Major: Computer Science
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown: Kahleheo, Hawaii
Two-time ASC West MVP and led the Cowgirls to their first-ever ASC title this season … Graduated with a 4.0 and was very active in campus and community events … Named the recipient of the Julius Nelson Olsen Medal, awarded annually at Spring Commencement to the graduate with highest GPA, exemplifies the highest in scholarly achievement, and has completed 90 semester hours of residence credit at HSU … Named to the President's List eight semesters, Aguilar demonstrated academic excellence while achieving a cumulative GPA of 4.0 … Awarded the Outstanding Computer Science Award, the Kelley-Tucker Honor Medal, and being named a Kelley-Tucker Endowed Business Scholar … Member of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business Administration, Kappa Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society, Gamma Beta Phi Society national honor and service organization, Epsilon Pi Alpha service sorority and Students in Free Enterprise … Served as president of the student chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals.

HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY

Michael Rudewick
Major: Mathematics
Sport: Football
Hometown: Copperas Cove, TX
A four-year starter and a three-time ASC All-Conference performer on the offensive line … After 2006 season, he was named by his teammates the Outstanding Offensive Lineman and the Senior of the Year … Exemplifies the ideal NCAA Division III student-athlete carrying a 3.62 GPA in Mathematics … Currently completing his student teaching at Brownwood Middle School and has a desire to teach and coach near his hometown.

Jill McLaughlin
Major: Business
Sport: Softball
Hometown: Brock, TX
All-around student athlete. She has been an NFCA academic all-American the past 2 years and will be one this year … Maintained an overall GPA of 3.92 and has received only one B in her academic career at HPU … Selected as ASC academic all-conference … Been selected as captain of this year’s softball team. She is in charge of leading 6 freshmen, and 6 sophomores … As a pitcher she has led HPU to the best record to begin a season in softball history … Received ASC all conference honors for her play at first and she is one of the top pitcher’s in the conference this year … Member of Sigma Beta Delta and Gamma Beta Phi which are honors business fraternities … Member of the Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities … Volunteered at Woodland’s Height Elementary School … Leader on the field and off and truly demonstrates the HPU softball philosophy which is “receive the diploma with the highest grades and receive the ring with the best play.”

LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY

Ryan Potter
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Gold Key Honor Society – Highest Honor given to 13 Outstanding Seniors (2006-2007) … LeTourneau University Presidential Scholarship … 3.68 GPA … Byrd Texas State Scholarship … Monster Diversity Leadership Program (25,000 applicants 3,000 selected) … Finalist in Roger Erickstad Christian Leadership Award, one of three (2006) … President and House Chairman of Kappa Zeta Chi … Two time Captain and three time leading scorer of LETU soccer team, ESPN The Magazine 2nd Team Academic All American (2006) and Academic All-District VI First Team (2005,2006), ASC 2rd Team All Conference (2005,2006) and 3rd Team all-ASC (2004), Named ASC Offensive Player of the Week and D3Kicks.com Team of Week on Oct. 16, 2006, two-time ASC Academic Honor Roll member … LEGS: LeTourneau Engineering Global Solutions seeks to design, create, and test high-quality artificial limbs for patients in the third world, focusing on above-knee prostheses … Member of Kappa Zeta Chi a Christian service society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Foundations … Participant of TIME Medical Missions to remote areas of Mexico for twelve years

Heidi McGraner
Majors: Kinesiology / Exercise Science
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Sugar Land, TX
Four year member of SAAC and two year President … 3.74 GPA … 2006, 2007 Kinesiology Student of the Year … Three-Time First Team all-ASC in Cross Country … 4-year letterwinner in Basketball … 2005-06 Roger Erickstad Christian Leadership Award … 2006-07 Women’s Basketball Team Captain … Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Two-time ASC Runner of the Week … NCCAA Runner of the Week … SouthRegionRunning.com All-Freshman Team (Cross Country) … Cross Country all-South Region, 2004 … Five-time ASC Academic Honor Roll member … Second Mile Clinic volunteer (2004, 2005) … Took part in medical missions trip to Mexico City in 2005 … Dean’s List and Presidential List member

LOUISIANA COLLEGE

Gene Taylor
Major: English
Sport: Baseball
Hometown: Bryceland, LA
Selected an an ASC All-Academic performer the past two years … Two-time First Team All-East Selection at shortstop … This past selected as an Honorable Mention ASC-East Division … Been accepted and will attend Mississippi College School of Law next year … During three-year career, batted over .350, belted 12 home runs, stole 40 bases, and drove in 96 runs.

UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR

Chris Poole
Major: Exercise and Sport Science
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Hometown: Belton, TX
Member of UMHB’s Vice-President for Athletics Honor Roll and served on the UMHB Student-Athlete Advisory Council … Participated in the “Designs for Hope” program for pediatric cancer patients at Scott and White Hospital … Three-year letterman for the Crusaders basketball team … Helped lead UMHB to three ASC Tournament appearances in that time … Helped lead the Cru to an NCAA National Championships berth this season … Three-time ASC Academic All-Conference selection and was also named to the West Division All-Freshman Team.

Veronica Delgado
Majors: Business Administration/Marketing
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Hometown: McAllen, Texas
Three-time ASC Academic All-Conference selection … Member of UMHB’s Vice-President for Athletics Honor Roll … Served as President of UMHB’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council this year and has served as a mentor at Belton Intermediate School … Four-year letter winner for the UMHB women’s basketball team … Helped lead the Lady Crusaders to back-to-back ASC Tournament appearances for the first time in the program’s history.

MCMURRY UNIVERSITY

Adam Cherry
Major: Accounting
Sport: Tennis
Hometown: Spearman, TX
Was a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference selection … Maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.86 … Was an all-division and all-conference pick in 2007, an ASC West First Team performer in 2006, an ASC West Second Team player in 2005 and ASC West Second Team selection in 2004.

Symbri Tuttle
Major: Multidisciplinary Studies
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Three-time academic all-conference selection … Cumulative GPA of 3.79 … Four-time all-conference basketball player, the 2007 ASC West Division Player of the Year, an all-division all-conference pick in 2005-06 and 2006-07, and an ASC West First team performer in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

Michael Ward
Major: Business Administration
Sport: Tennis
Hometown: Clinton, MS
Off the court is where he has truly separated himself from most students … Went 9-6 in singles and 11-4 in doubles competition playing as the No. 3 player … Maintained a schedule that few students could handle … Excelled in the classroom with a GPA above 3.6 while finding time to serve as the Student Government Association President … Been involved with Habitat for Humanity building homes for Hurricane Katrina victims … Volunteered at Gateway Rescue Center … Served as a mentor at Neighborhood Christian Center … Well-respected by his teammates and teachers, earned the tennis team’s Senior Award and the prestigious Founder’s Award on campus.

Lacey Kennedy
Major: Kinesiology
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Brookhaven, MS
Held a 3.6 grade point average in Kinesiology including a 3.8 her final four semesters … Was the official mentor for Lincoln County’s DARE program … Spoke to every classroom in the county warning kids about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. The program is sponsored by the local police department … Ended her basketball career this season earning both academic and athletic All-America honors … Jostens Trophy award finalist was a D3hoops.com Fourth Team All-American and ESPN the Magazine Second Team Academic All-American … ASC East Division Player of the Year led the conference in scoring (21.5 ppg) and rebounding ( 10.2 rpg) and became the ASC’s career leading scorer (1,890 points) … Earned First Team All-ASC honors for the fourth time in her career.

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

Ryan Skelly
Major: Business Administration
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Plano, TX
Three-year starter and 2006 Team Captain … Selected two times to All-Conference team, he compiled impressive career statistics at Ozarks: 5th in goals (27), assists (19), and shots (188), helping his team earn four straight playoff appearances … In 2006, Skelly finished tenth in the league in points … Excelled academically, a member of the 2006 ASC All-Academic team, and a 2006-07 USAA All-American Scholar.

Jeanne Randall
Major: Biology
Sports: Basketball, Softball
Hometown: Bryant, AR
Demonstrated leadership and accomplishment both on and off the field at Ozarks … Lettered for four years in both softball and basketball … Named three times to the ASC All-Academic Team, ASC Player of the Week-Basketball, and served as team captain (Basketball) … Has maintained over a 3.0 GPA throughout her four years at Ozarks … Member of the Ozarks Biological Society and the Tri-Beta (Biology) Honor Society … Been a leader on campus, serving on the Student Foundation Board, the Residential Housing Association, and Ozarks intramurals.

SCHREINER UNIVERSITY

Kevin Deans
Major: Exercise Science
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Demonstrated throughout his career at Schreiner a total commitment to academic and athletic excellence … Every year his example has served to inspire not only the other players on his team but the entire campus community … Team captain … Served on the Dean’s list three times … Three-time ASC Academic award winner … Received All-ASC recognition on the court in three seasons … Highlighted by second team selections in 2005 and 2007 … Schreiner’s Presidents List … Was voted best offensive player by his teammates in the 2005-06 season.

Liberty Liesmann
Major: Exercise Science with teacher certification all-level
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Blanco, TX
Been through four challenging years at SU … Shown dedication and perseverance through losing seasons and three coaching changes … Remaining focused on academic goals and giving her best to represent SU in all athletic endeavors … Averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds over her career and also played one season of softball … Carried a 3.2 GPA … Two-time President’s List selection and one-time Dean’s list representative … Served as a student teacher at Tivy High School … Mentor volunteer at Kerrville Mentoring Center … Counselor at Mo Summer Cap … Lifeguard at LBJ Stake Park Pool … Assistant coach for Blano High School’s volleyball and basketball camps … A FCA member and Best Buddies volunteer.

SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY

Bryan Kung

Major: History
Sport: Track & Field
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Received university’s highest academic honor as Man of the Year … Member of Kappa Delta Pi, International Educational Honor Society and Phi Alpha Theta, International History Honor Society … Named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges … Has competed on the SRSU track team for three years.

Dyanna Montoya
Major: Biology
Sport: Tennis
Hometown: Fabens, TX
Played 4 years of tennis at Sul Ross State University … Employed as a lab student assistant in the Microbiology lab … Served as Vice-President of Alpha Chi Honor Society … Member of Gamma Beta Phi and the First Generation Program … Named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

Andrina Arenas
Major: Biology
Sport: Softball
Hometown: Richardson, TX
3.900 cumulative GPA … Career ambition is Physical Therapy … All-Conference First Team 2006, Honorable Mention 2005 … Three-time Academic All-Conference … Student Athlete Advisory Committee member

Mark Cox
Majors: Accounting / Information management
Sport: Baseball
Hometown: Coldspring, TX
Graduated in three years … Now an MBA grad student … Final GPA of 3.3349 … Originally joined team as a catcher in 2005, converted to a pitcher last year, now one of the team’s top starting pitchers … Academic All-Conference 2006

TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

Jake Robbins
Majors: Physics / Mathematics
Sport: Football
Hometown: La Vernia, TX
Chemistry, math, and physics tutor for three years, a lab assistant for one year, and a teaching assistant for two years … Performed summer research with Research Imaging Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio … Graduated from TLU with a 3.52 cumulative grade point average … Four-year starter for the TLU football team … Started two years at rover safety and started his final two years at free safety … Recently concluded his Bulldog career with a senior season that included 64 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, seven pass break-ups, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble … Collected 233 tackles and seven interceptions in his Bulldog career … Was named to the American Southwest Conference All-Conference First Team in 2005 and 2006 and was selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team for three consecutive seasons (2004, 2005, 2006). Robbins was also a D3football.com All-South Region Honorable Mention selection.

Natalie Wood
Major: Mathematics
Sport: Track and Field
Hometown: Cibolo, TX
Two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American (in 2005 and 2006) … Nominated for a third ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honor … Named the 2005-06 TLU Female Athlete of the Year … Member of seven academic honor societies and serves as the secretary of the Student Education Association … Been on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, a math tutor at St. Monica Catholic School, and a student mentor at a local school … Held an internship at an actuarial firm … Three-time Academic All-Conference and a four-time ASC All-Conference performer … Holds 12 school records … Graduated Magna Cum Laude (3.85 GPA) … Done all of this while overcoming an emergency appendectomy and a heart procedure called an ablation … Was without training for nine months prior to her senior year and still qualified for the 2007 DIII Championships … Four-time NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships participant … Qualified for the national championships in three events (heptathlon, 400 hurdles and 100 hurdles) … Was a 2006 NCAA DIII All-American as a member of the sixth-place 4x100 relay team.

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