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RICHARDSON, Texas –– Student-athletes Tyler Winford of Mississippi College and Lindsey Peters of the University of Texas at Tyler have been named winners of the 2007-08 American Southwest Conference Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Award, the ASC office announced on Friday (June 20) after a vote of the league’s Directors of Athletics.

The ASC Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Award honors a male and female student-athlete who best displays the attributes of sportsmanship, leadership, citizenship and academic integrity in their athletic, academic and life pursuits. Each ASC member institution may nominate its campus Sportsmanship Award winner to the conference-wide ballot. This is the ninth year the ASC has presented its Sportsmanship Award and the third year the award is being presented after being renamed in honor of the Conference’s first commissioner, Fred Jacoby.

Winford and Peters, who become the first recipients of the award from their respective institutions, will represent the American Southwest Conference on the NCAA Division III National Sportsmanship Award ballot.

Winford (Madison, MS / Jackson Academy), a senior, has enjoyed a remarkable basketball career at Mississippi College while serving as a terrific example of what a collegiate student-athlete should be. His athletic accomplishments are numerous. Winford began began his career by earning ASC East Division Freshman of the Year for the 2004-2005 season. During his sophomore year, Winford was again selected as MC’s Best Offensive Player and First Team All-ASC. He was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All South Region 2nd Team. He was chosen as a Street and Smith Pre-Season First Team All-American in 2005 and 2006 and a Preseason D3hoops.com All-American this year. Winford was also selected to play with USA Athletes International Team in Croatia, Italy and Bosnia last summer and finished his four-year career with a four-year record of 107-15, tops in Division III during that time. He managed to excel on the court while excelling in the classroom and the committee. He graduated with a 3.98 grade point average and will attend medical school next year at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Despite the time required for his stellar athletic and scholastic accomplishments while at MC, Winford has been very active as a member of the MC Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Leadership Team and the college ministry of the First Baptist Church of Jackson. His community activities include speaking to a high school FCA group, speaking to a group of 1st through 4th graders regarding the importance of teamwork, and to a junior high basketball team. In 2005 he assisted in Hurricane Katrina clean-up efforts in Poplarville, Miss., as well as working with Habitat for Humanity. In 2007 he volunteered at Wingard House, a homeless shelter. Winford plans to become a doctor and will eventually work with children in pediatrics. His athletic and academic career at MC have only been overshadowed by his conduct off the court. He embraced his status as a role model and made every attempt to influence young people positively.

Peters (Shreveport, LA / Huntington HS), a senior, strives to live her life by a set of principals and is the model, to which all coaches’ point, as the ideal collegiate student-athlete. She is the first person to encourage her teammates for great effort, and the first to be there to hug a teammate in despair. In the conference tournament against Howard Payne, with two outs in the last inning, one of the opposing team members was hit in the foot, by a pitch. Their young lady was barely able to move but had to stay in the game because the team was out of substitutes. She went to first base, which loaded the bases. The next batter ripped a base hit to centerfield which would have scored two runs; the injured runner was thrown out at second base. The last out was made and our team began to celebrate the come-from-behind victory. Peters, however, went straight to the player and began to check on her injury and offer to help. At the moment of joy for UT Tyler, Peters put the worry and respect for the injured player above that of her team’s excitement.

Off the field, Peters weighs every decision based on the impact it will have on others. She is a self-less and is always serving others and thinking of others. During her sophomore year, the softball team seceded they wanted to divide into groups and adopt angels from the Salvation Army tree. After the team had returned the toys and clothes for four angels, Peters asked the team a question: “How can we do more?” She decided to challenge the other teams at our university to match the number of angels we had provided for. That led to several more children being helped that Christmas, but Lindsey was still not satisfied. She asked that other conference softball teams challenge our team and end the end, nearly 50 angels had been adopted. Peters lives her life to help others. She has contributes hundreds of hours in community service by visiting hospitals, elementary schools, etc. Lindsey volunteered for every community service project offered by the softball team, instead of rotating with other student-athletes.

2007-08 ASC MEMBER’S CAMPUS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES

ALL-TIME ASC FRED JACOBY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNERS

2007-08 ASC MEMBER’S CAMPUS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD BIOGRAPHIES

-Jacobs is a senior at Concordia University is the captain of the Tornado Baseball team. Brian is not only a leader on the Baseball field but also in the classroom and around the University. During his senior campaign teammate Garrett Williamson was paralyzed in a tragic car accident on Christmas Eve. Demonstrating the true essence of Sportsmanship Brian took the lead on creating a series of fundraisers in Garrett’s honor and started the GW HOPE #22 Fund. To date the GW HOPE #22 fund has raised over $12,000 to help the Williamson family. In early February Brian organized a Long Ball event with the Baseball team, sold HOPE bands around Campus , created GW HOPE #22 t-shirts and did numerous interviews to get the word out in the community about Garrett. Brian’s efforts have truly touched the Williamson family and have given Garrett the strength to go forward. Currently with the Support of his teammates Garrett is working on being able to walk and pitch for the Tornados again. 

-Fortune arrived at ETBU in the fall of 2004 as a small, unimpressive-looking freshman who was joining the ETBU football program. He spent his first two years as the team’s third quarterback, running the scout team primarily and getting no significant playing time. He was still listed third on the depth chart in 2006 as a junior. Last fall, however, Thad proved that perseverance counts when he was named the Tigers’ starting quarterback in his fourth and final season. Under a new coaching staff, Thad threw for 1,251 yards and six touchdowns and was recognized as one of the team’s leaders. He was named the university’s 2008 winner of the Robert E. Craig Christian Athlete Award, given annually to the student-athlete on campus who best exemplifies great sportsmanship and Christian leadership. He is a three-time member of the ASC All-Academic team. Thad provides tremendous Christian leadership and witness on and off campus, and he is a prime example of what hard work and determination can do for a young athlete with a dream of playing at the college level. Thad has worked with his parents, Kerry and Elaine Fortune, in Abilene, Texas, as the family operates a boys ranch in West Texas. When the Tigers travel to Abilene, the team visits The Boys Ranch for a meal and interacts with the troubled, sometimes unwanted, young men who live there. Thad also is active in the college ministry at Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas, and he’s also a leader in the Tigers’ FCA.

-Jones was an inspirational leader for the Cowboys both on and off the field. He led the weekly Bible studies for the team and even though he had a limited role on the playing field, he was well respected by his teammates and coaches. He never complained about his role on the team and embraced his role to learn different positions where he could potentially be an asset.

-Reinlie is a team leader on and off the field for the Cru baseball team. He shows respect for his teammates, umpires, and opponents. He leads by example and his work ethic. He is a three-time Academic All-Conference selection and also earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI honors. Steven is a two-time ASC All-West Division selection and finished his career among UMHB’s all-time leaders in home runs, doubles, RBI and slugging percentage. He helped build a foundation of success that saw the UMHB baseball team advance to the ASC Championship Tournament for the first time in program history his junior year. Steven then helped lead the team to its first share of the ASC West Division title and a second straight ASC Tournament berth his senior season. Steven participates in every service project the UMHB baseball team undertakes. He has volunteered his time to participate in maintenance and clean-up days at the Temple Ronald McDonald House. Steven also read to elementary students as part of a mentorship in the reading program at Harker Heights Elementary School. He has been a team leader in the baseball team’s participation in the local Adopt-A-Family program. Steven has also volunteered his time and donated money to fund-raisers for the ASC “Make-A-Change in 14 Days” campaign and in a team fundraiser to support the Bluffton College baseball program following the tragic bus accident two years ago.

-McHenry has led by example on and off the court during his career at Ozarks. He is always the first to practice and the last to leave. His hard work and dedication has earned him the respect of his teammates. He is the consummate teammate, always looking for the open player rather than taking the shot himself. He is always the first to help an opponent up off the floor, all while offering encouragement to them. His head coach has awarded him with the team Coach’s Award the past two seasons for his exemplary attributes. McHenry has served on the Student Foundation Board and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during his career. He has been involved in campus and community projects like “Make a Change in 14 Days”, Kids Day Out and National STUDENT-Athlete Day. McHenry excels in the classroom, having been on the ASC All-Academic Team for two years.

ART GONZALEZ
Sul Ross State

-Gonzalez was a team captain and point guard for the Lobos for the past two years playing in 95 games and accumulating 764 career points. He ended his senior season ranked first in the American Southwest Conference in free throws, second in 3-point field goals made, eighth in assists, seventeenth in overall scoring, and fourth for minutes played. For the past two years he has been named ASC All-West Division Honorable Mention and ASC All-Academic. Art participated in a reading program in which athletes read to children at area elementary schools to help increase awareness of the importance of good reading skills and participated in the annual Lobos vs. Cancer fund raiser. A fifth-year senior, Art completed his student teaching in El Paso at the same elementary, middle, and high schools that he attended himself. Gonzalez graduated in May of 2008 with a degree in kinesiology and will enter his first year as a basketball coach in his native El Paso.

-Fox has demonstrated great sportsmanship by the way he carries himself on the field and off the field. Kendall’s positive attitude is reflected in his daily life and in his athletic career. He has great respect for other coaches and officials. He is a great teammate and leads by example. His respect for the game is his biggest contribution to his sportsmanship. Kendall is a preseason All-American in baseball and a captain of our team. As a junior he has accomplished a ton and gathered great respect from coaches around the conference. He exemplifies the values of respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility through his love and passion for Jesus Christ. He gives God the glory, the ultimate in sportsmanship. Kendall volunteers over 200 hours per year in Dallas and Tyler including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sports Cards for kids, Boys and Girls Club, and Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. He is active wit hthe UT Tyler baseball Dream Team program and always takes time to share the game of baseball with local kids. I would want my son to grow into the mature Christian young man that Kendall is.

-Bonner was named the TLU Male Sportsmanship Award Winner for 2007-08. Dwight served as a leader on the TLU football team. He finished second on the team in tackles, with 69, from his safety position, and he recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Dwight is respectful of his opponents and always offers encouragement to his teammates. Dwight was instrumental in TLU’s fundraising efforts for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Think Pink initiative. TLU raised money for Think Pink, and Dwight was the top fundraiser among TLU student-athletes, bringing in a $1,000 donation from the local hospital. Dwight has lettered two years with the football team and has been a starter in each year.

Concordia University Texas

-Heckmann has been a four-year starter for the Concordia volleyball team. She was named to the ASC West First Team as a sophomore and to the Second Team as a junior, earning an ASC West Hitter of the Week honor both seasons. Last year she won the Concordia Female Athlete of the Year, Concordia Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Concordia Sportsmanship awards. She also garnered first team all ASC during her Senior Campaign. Along with garnering Player of the Week three times along with Volleyball ASC Scholar Athlete. Heckmann was also the only player to be named Defensively and Offensively Player of the Week during the 2007 season. Heckman, an elementary education major, was named Academic All-Conference carries a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. She has claimed Dean’s List honors every semester while at Concordia University. She is a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, is a mentor for college freshmen, a member of the Concordia Youth Ministry Team, an intramural activities coordinator, volunteered with the Children’s Home Christmas Dinner along with the settlement Home charity and is a member the Field Day Action Team. During 2006 and 2007 Heckman served as a Resident Assistant (RA) in Harms Hall Dormitory.

-Graves arrived at ETBU as a student and she played intramural volleyball as a true freshman. Coaches noticed her and recruited her to come and walk on the varsity in the fall of 2006 and she has been an integral offensive weapon for the Lady Tigers the last two years. That period culminated last fall when Katie was named Player of the Year in the ASC East Division. She was this year’s female recipient of ETBU’s Robert E. Craig Christian Leadership Award, given annually to the student-athlete on campus who best exemplifies sportsmanship and Christian leadership. Katie has participated in civic/academic organizations such as National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Delta Pi Theta and she’s also served as a church pianist.

-Craig was a captain and senior leader for the Cowgirls. Even after a torn ACL in the ASC Championship of her junior season diminished her role, she was still a positive upbeat player for the Cowgirls. She also had a perfect GPA and won the Olsen Medal as the top female student at Hardin-Simmons this past year.

-Blalock has exemplified Godly values in every aspect of her life in how she has treated others and made everyone feel as if they were someone special. Her leadership as a captain of the Lady Jacket Basketball team helped lead them to the first team national championship in American Southwest Conference history. Stacey Blalock has volunteered an hour a week four years at the Head Start Program of Brownwood while at Howard Payne.

-In her four years as a collegiate golfer, Stoltzfus has exemplified sportsmanship in all of her actions. As a competitor, she has worked very hard to improve her game which can be seen in her scoring average dropping in each season. On the course, she never gives up and is always encouraging her teammates throughout a tournament. As a playing opponent, she is a perfect partner who is kind and helpful at all times. In a sport where honesty and integrity are of the upmost importance, she compares favorably to all she comes in contact with. Stoltzfus has been a valuable member of the women’s golf program, but it is her other activities that she truly excels. She has volunteered vast amounts of time in her four years to help serve others. She has served on the LeTourneau Student Foundation that seeks to raise money for scholarships to help students attend school. She has taught Sunday school all four years she has been in college. She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Windridge Equestrian Center, and at the Aubry House. She has been a part of LeTourneau’s new student orientation group. She served for two years on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the YellowJacket Activity Council. Additionally, she has served as a floor chaplain leading bible studies and helping others with their spiritual walk.

-Kripner is a team leader and always demonstrates respect for her teammates, opponents and umpires. She is an All-Region selection and a four-time ASC All-West Division pick. Kacie is also an outstanding student and is a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference pick. She also is an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI selection and maintains one of the highest GPA’s among the UMHB athletic department’s senior class. Kacie has helped lead the UMHB softball team to four ASC Championship Tournament appearances and back-to-back ASC West Division Championships. Kacie serves as the President of the UMHB Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has gone above and beyond the call of duty in that office. She organized UMHB’s participation in the “Make-A-Change in 14 Days” campaign and the school’s donation amount increased by nearly 30 times. Kacie is also an active member of the UMHB Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has helped organize and lead the softball team’s participation in the “Adopt-A-Family” program in each of her four years in the program. Kacie is a proud supporter of all UMHB athletic programs and also supports numerous activities on campus.

-Hardin spent four years at Mississippi College setting school records in both cross country and track. The Germantown native, and former American Southwest Conference Individual cross country champion and 5,000 meter run champion, set the pace for cross country and distance running in the ASC. She also set the pace in the classroom where she graduated with a 3.97 grade point average in kinesiology, making the Dean’s List every semester at MC. Hardin earned the respect of others with her positive demeanor and was a big reason the MC women’s cross country team won the ASC’s SAAC Sportsmanship award. Hardin also battled through a serious hamstring injury the final three semesters of her running career at MC, but did not miss a beat. She returned her senior year to win the 10,000 meter run, finished second in the 5,000 meter run and placed third in the 1,500 meter run. Despite competing year round as a member of the cross country team and the track & field team, Rachel Hardin managed to find time to work in the lives of people in the community. Hardin is an active volunteer at Pinelake Baptist Church where she works with preschool children. She is also active in local mission trips and service projects in the community. Back in her hometown of Memphis, TN, Rachel volunteers to work with inner-city youth. 

-During her four years, Pianalto has displayed the attributes every coach hopes to have in a player. She sets the tone for the team in practice and games, working hard and inspiring her teammates. A four-year starter, Pianalto displayed grit and determination as she played in the most games in program history. Pianalto was never one to complain or disrespect the opponent. She won back-to-back team Defensive Player of the Year honors. Her campus and community involvement is well-known. Through her campus activities, Pianalto has made a difference at Ozarks. During her time at Ozarks, she has served as President of two of the larger organizations on campus: the Student Foundation Board and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Pianalto has spearheaded numerous SAAC community service projects, including “Kids Day Out”, “Make a Change in 14 Days”, Meals on Wheels, National STUDENT-Athlete Day and a food drive for senior citizens. She also is a member of the Catholic Campus Ministries and Ozarks Secondary Education Association. Pianalto excels in the classroom, having been on the Dean’s List and the ASC All-Academic status for three years.

JANICE MITCHELL
Sul Ross State

Mitchell, SRSU’s 2008 Woman of the Year, was a four-year member of the Lady Lobos basketball team, serving as captain for three seasons. At the end of her senior year, Janice ranked fifth in assists, and ninth in free throws in the ASC. She earned American Southwest Conference All-Academic honors for the past three years with a gpa of 3.04. Janice has also been an active presence on campus and in the community. She participated in Lobo Scholars, Freshman Leadership, served as an SRSU Ambassador and a Student Support Service Mentor. Mitchell also served two years as senator for the Sul Ross Student Government Association and was a member of the Student Service Fee Committee. She served on a committee publicizing the Quality Enhancement Plan, a major part of SRSU’s reaffirmation of accreditation. Janice also volunteered for the West Texas Food Bank and Relay for Life three years. She was selected for Who's Who among College Students and 1st Runner-up for Homecoming Queen in 2007. She is an outstanding leader, citizen, and role model. Mitchell plans to attend the University of North Texas to pursue a Master’s of Business Administration in finance.

-Jackson has been a four year starter in women’s soccer, completing her senior year as a captain and campus leader in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and various university housing endeavors, spirit development committees and athletic community and athletic community service projects. She has continually for three years volunteered at local nursing and senior citizen homes, been instrumental in the annual Campus Cleanup project via Champs Life Skills, Make a Change in 14 Days for Hope’s Door for two years and volunteered at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. For three years, Ms. Jackson participated and helped to coordinate the Project 200 annual campus activity focused on nursing home work and senior citizen support. As a student-athlete, Kelli has demonstrated fair play and sportsmanship in her intense and steady conference performer being recognized for her style of play and attention to integrity and ethical conduct. Jackson has not only been a leader and motivator on her team, but she has exhibited true care and concern for her fellow man. Her volunteerism at nursing and senior citizens homes truly demonstrates her wholesome quality of caring for others and sacrificing her time to help others. She is frequently asked to assit with projects and initiatives that include campus community as well as the surrounding Richardson and Dallas areas. Volunteering at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas symbolizes her care for others as well the children she frequently works with. Kelli’s work with Hope’s Door and Make a Change as well as the Spring Cleaning Clothing Drive specifically helps women and children of abuse.

-Gangemi was TLU’s 2007-08 Female Sportsmanship Award Winner and TLU’s 2007-08 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She has always been a true example of sportsmanship on the court. She is fair, honest and respectful to her opponents and a true leader and friend to her teammates. Gangemi, a four-year letterwinner, was 4-1 in ASC play at No. 1 singles spot in 2008. She played No. 1 singles for two years and No. 1 doubles for three years. She was a 2008 ASC West 2nd Team Selection. She is a 2008 CoSIDA Academic All-District VI nominee after being named to the 2007 First Team Academic All-District VI At-Large. She is a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference selection, and she twice led the Bulldogs to the ASC Championship Tournament. Alanna’s service clubs and fraternity involvements include: Psi Chi, Psychology Club, Alpha Mu Gamma, TLU Peer Mentors, Alpha Chi and Delta Epsilon Iota. She will attend graduate school at Univ. of Colorado-Denver to pursue her master’s degree in psychology. She graduated this May with a cumulative GPA of 3.97.