Contact: Mike Christie, Sports Information Director

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - During the 2004-2005 academic year the USA South Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee instituted a Conference-wide Sportsmanship Award. Today, the USA South is pleased to announce the Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2007 fall sports season. Christopher Newport University has been chosen for football for the second straight season, while Peace College was the winner for volleyball. For the second consecutive season, Averett University men's soccer earned the the Sportsmanship Award while Conference newcomer Mary Baldwin collected its first honor for women's soccer.

There will be a Sportsmanship Award for 12 of the 14 Conference-sponsored sports. For every sport, each team member votes for the teams he/she deems to have demonstrated the best overall sportsmanship throughout the season. The team garnering the most votes receives that sports' Sportsmanship Award. The institution which wins the most individual sport awards will be presented with the overall USA South Sportsmanship Trophy. The award was developed as a result of the SAAC's commitment to maintaining a sportsmanlike environment on each of our campuses.

One athlete who voted for the Christopher Newport football squad said they "demonstrated a good attitude before, during and after the game. They played very aggressive but maintained a good attitude."

An athlete stated that the Mary Baldwin women's soccer team "gave everything they got and were very respectful and nice to their opponents."

One ballot stated that Averett's men's soccer team "had a great attitude and showed respect throughout the game."

A volleyball player wrote that Peace "played aggressive and fair for the whole match. They displayed good sportsmanship both on and off the court."

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hopes that by awarding a Sportsmanship Award, the members of the USA South will understand the importance of this issue. It is vital that good sportsmanship be demonstrated in the arena of competition.

Fall Sportsmanship Award Winners
Football - Christopher Newport University
Volleyball - Peace College
Men's Soccer - Averett University
Women's Soccer - Mary Baldwin College